As farmers recover from the onslaught of recent typhoons, researchers from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urge rice farmers to plant high-quality inbred seeds of a recommended variety as this helps increase yield by 10-15%. Fredierick Saludez, DA-PhilRice agriculturist said that the use of high-quality inbred seeds results in high germination rate, lower seeding rate, more vigorous seedlings, and more efficient crop establishment. “Crops from high-quality seeds […]

A Filipino farmer, a grain of rice, a spoon, and a fork. As LaLie Lopez Tropa, a student at Aklan State University, painstakingly carves these on a leaf, she longs to bring the message that every grain of rice Pinoys enjoy on their tables is a fruit of every drop of sweat of our farmers. LaLie knows the hardship because her parents are rice farmers. “They produce our staple food. […]

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program is benefitting more than 100,000 rice farmers in Region 2 and CAR who were affected by agricultural damages brought about by recent typhoons. Andres L. Dela Cruz Jr., RCEF coordinator in Isabela, said that seed delivery and distribution in Region 2 and CAR resumed on Nov. 16 to immediately supply the RCEF areas with more than 120,000 bags of seeds. Municipalities and cities, especially […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) economists encourage farmers to sell good quality dry palay for more income amidst the lower farmgate price of palay. Alice Briones-Mataia of PhilRice Socioeconomics Division explained that farmers will earn an average of P1.50 per kilogram depending on quality when they sell dry palay. Palay price is largely dictated by factors, such as quality (level of moisture content and variety), seasonality, supply disturbances, and import […]

More trainers are now expected to help Filipino farmers following the participants’ completion of rice production training funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP). In their recent graduation at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, trainees said they have learned the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice and […]

Integrated pest management (IPM) requires united efforts to create ripples of impact on farmers within a community. This is the reality for Johnny C. Escote, 53, and Antonio E. Estribor, 72, both from Midsayap, North Cotabato. Their rice areas being adjacent often bring them together checking on their fields’ helpful and harmful insects, which they learned from the Institute. “Since attending farmer field schools conducted by PhilRice and partner agencies, […]

Tirso A. Dahuya, 64, of RTRomuladez, Agusan del Norte, maintains as a tenant a 3-ha rice area, which was also chosen as a technology demonstration site of the Rice Crop Manager (RCM) in 2018. After two consecutive cropping seasons, Mang Tirso and the owner already enjoyed the good impact it brought on their yield. “I used to wonder why the rice leaves turn into red even if I already put […]

A farmer and now acting director of Javenri Harvest Farm School, Bryan S.  Dizon recognizes the importance of Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) kits on minimizing the expenses of Palawan farmers. The diagnostic tool, which determines the nutrient levels of rice soils, helps farmers practice the effective application of fertilizer on farmlands. “Palawan farmers usually apply complete fertilizers, but that should not be the case. With MOET kits, farmers can make […]

The journey to Golden Rice is one step closer to completion, with the formal opening of the 60-day public comment period for its proposed commercial propagation. This follows the regulatory application submitted by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) to the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) in October 2020. Public participation is a critical component of the Philippine biosafety regulatory process and […]

Agustin R. Perez Jr, 45, of Kalinga, was not familiar with hybrid rice farming; but when a trusted old friend introduced hybrid to him, he did not hesitate to try. A taekwondo instructor and farmer, Perez had always been persistent in improving his family’s life. While he was still new to hybrid rice production, he trusted in the Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials that were given to him and […]