Filipino rice farmers have been going through many challenges to produce the country’s main staple – rice. We have the changing climate and the need to adapt and mitigate as agriculture is one of its biggest victims; loss of arable lands; economic pressures such as trade liberalization and increased competition; and now the need to be food-sufficient as we battle against an invisible enemy – COVID-19. This issue of the […]

New learning. More than 62 farmers in Tabaco City, Albay learn about environment-friendly way of managing pests through agro-ecosytem analysis.  Participating in the Farmers Field School of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund- Rice Extension Services Program, they now know how to analyze field situations considering pests, soil conditions, plant health, and the inter-relationship of factors for growing healthy crop.

Mechanization on its way. Farmers from Regions 10, 11, and 13 try for the first time a mechanical transplanter in a technology demonstration called PalaySikatan. With allocation from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, the techno demo showcases modern and recommended technologies in rice farming. It also features three national recommended varieties, two regional recommended varieties, and one location-specific technology.

Knowledge movers. PhilRice Los Baños hands over copies of PalayCheck primer to rice growers currently participating in the farm schools located in the station’s area of coverage. PalayCheck is an integrated rice crop management system that helps farmers increase their yield and reduce their rice production cost.

Field canvas. DA-PhilRice in Batac City, Ilocos Norte promotes deeper understanding of rice farming through rice paddy art displayed at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU). It featured the image of Dr. Santiago R. Obien, former MMSU president and first PhilRice executive director, in the 4,000 m2 demonstration area.  The rice paddy art used IR 1552, a traditional purple rice variety from Korea, and PSB Rc82, a traditional high-yielding inbred variety […]

Farmer-recipients of inbred certified seeds from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program are reporting higher harvests and additional income for the first half of the year. A survey by the Socioeconomics Division (SED) of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) showed that rice yield of more than 4,000 farmer-beneficiaries in 55 provinces averaged 4.14t/ha. Dr. Jesusa Beltran, SED head, said that the harvest is higher by 0.44t/ha than […]

Farmer-beneficiaries of the “Sa Palay at Gulay, may Ani, Hanapbuhay, Oportunidad, at Nutrisyon,” (PAG-AHON) Project have earned income from their first harvest after a month of growing quick-maturing vegetables. From the 50 key farmer-beneficiaries from Lupao Vegetable Growers Association (LVGA) who were trained under the crop diversification component, three vegetable growers already harvested 270 kilograms of pechay and mustard giving them a combined income of P10,400. The vegetables were planted […]

Our battlecry for rice security is not a no-contest bout! We must overcome challenges that come along the way. For one thing, in 2019 the country replaced import limits with tariffs that intensified foreign competition for our local rice farmers. To weather these challenges, collaborative efforts and support are essential. This is why a cooperative exists – to extend members a helping hand and help make them stronger and resilient. […]