Written by the Web Team
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country`s lead in rice research and 
development, is encouraging farmers to avail of its SMS service to manage pests and diseases.
Rice blast, the world`s most prevalent disease reducing yield by 50 to 85 percent, may be expected in some fields in the country as its occurrence is triggered by frequent rains and high relative humidity.
“Thanks to PhilRice Text Center (09209111398)! I have now peace of mind as I now know how to manage rice blast this wet season,” Francisco C. Cerdana, 52 of Sultan Kudarat, said in Filipino.
Through the PhilRice Text Center, farmers can receive instant information on rats, tungro, bacterial leaf blight, bakanae, and green leafhopper. Information on golden apple snail, rice black bug, leaf folder, and stem borer are also available.
To complement the SMS service, PhilRice pilot-tested a Text Aralan in Sultan Kudarat, in which registered farmers received information on managing rice blast for a week.
“This service is ok. Information are easy to understand and I saved time from going to the technician’s office,” farmer Warly Ragual said.
Other than SMS, the PhilRice Text Center also handles transaction on PhilRice products and sends out weather advisory.
