Philippine Rice Research Institute http://www.philrice.gov.ph Agricultural economist Ronilo A. Beronio is now the Executive Director of PhilRice, in an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) capacity effective June 23, 2008. DA Sec. Arthur C. Yap signed Special Order No. 344 designating Beronio as the Institute’s OIC Executive Director to replace outgoing Leocadio S. Sebastian after the latter’s eight-year term. http://www.philrice.gov.ph/ In rice farming, aside from fertilizers, land preparation is also a critical factor that farmers should bear in mind to get good yield and income. According to Jovino de Dios of the Agronomy, Soils, and Plant Physiology Division of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), land preparation is one of the critical operations in rice farming. If not done well, it can contribute to enormous loss in yield. http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=2 The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has developed the Minus-One Element Technique (MOET), a reliable, low cost, and easy alternative technique for diagnosing nutrient limitations. The hit-and-miss practice of farmers on fertilizer application will be avoided,as the limiting nutrients in the soil are properly diagnosed through the kit. Also with the kit, farmers can save on fertilizer cost considering that fertilizer prices continue to rise. Fertilizer prices reach as high as PhP 1,830 per bag, according to the Atlas Fertilizer Corp. Furthermore, the Fertilizer and Pesticides Authority said fertilizer prices are expected to increase again this year. http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=526&Itemid=2 Use 40 kg of certified seeds of an inbred variety or 15 to 20 kg of a hybrid variety for one hectare and save on cost of seeds according to studies and demonstrations conducted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). Experts from PhilRice said with 40 kg, farmers can surely save on seed cost. Compared with the usual seeding rate of 3 to 4 bags per hectare which costs up to PhP4,800 at PhP1,200 per bag, using 40 kg or one bag will only cost PhP1,200. Thus, farmers can save as much as PhP3,600 per hectare. http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=524&Itemid=2 The fertilizer price hike is pinching farmers nowadays. The average cost of fertilizer per sack is P1772.53, a 112% increase compared with that of in 2006 according to the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA). Experts from the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) offer some tips to help farmers cope with this reeling production constraint. They said farmers can save on fertilizer by avoiding injudicious application of it on their farm. Reports show that in the Philippines farmers apply more fertilizer with the belief that they can get more yield with it. http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=523&Itemid=2 SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ – DUBBED AS THE RICE PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONS, 49 governors will lead their mayors, farmers, and other stakeholders in increasing rice production that will attain self-sufficiency level in the country. They will spearhead the development and implementation of their own rice-sufficiency plan in conjunction with the national master plan. http://www.philrice.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=522&Itemid=2