As a rainfed rice farmer, Noel D. Galut of Ilocos Norte is concerned about water and labor scarcity in their area. These were addressed by the Multi-Purpose Seeder (MP Seeder) for direct seeding introduced to him in 2018. MP Seeder is a device attached to a hand tractor that direct-seeds rice, corn, and mungbean. “Back then, it would take four persons hired for P300 each per day to plant half […]

Manuel B. Espino, 47, of  Bago City, Negros Occidental, has been farming for 10 years when he tried two varieties — one recommended by the station for national planting, and the other location-specific for Western Visayas. With proper rice farming technologies, he harvested 120 bags (46kg per bag) of NSIC Rc 160, up by 10-20% from his usual haul. PSB Rc 10, recommended for their region, showed resistance against fungal […]

For almost 25 years, Bobby M. Abad, 41 of Magarao, Camarines Sur, has been reaping only 300 bags (50kg/sack) from his 5-ha rice field. He thought that his yield will no longer improve as his farm is 150m near the coastal line. For lack of other choices, he had been planting an irrigated lowland variety. Through a project collaboration, Abad at last received free seeds of NSIC Rc 338 (Salinas […]

Responding to the impact of the succeeding typhoons in 2020 last quarter, DA-PhilRice launched donation drives for Bicol and Cagayan. DA-PhilRice provided cash assistance to PhilRice Bicol staff totaling P200,000 brought about by two devastating typhoons that hit the region late last year. In-kind relief assistance that included rice, grocery items, clothes, and personal essentials, among others, were also distributed in Isabela communities. About 100 volunteers and donors supported the […]

Baseline data gathering and developing mental health-related activities and programs for DA-PhilRice Central Experiment Station, branch, and satellite personnel rolled out in November last year. “The Institute’s step was in response to the Civil Service Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 04, series 2020 known as Mental Health Program in the Public Sector and in compliance to Republic Act 11036 (National Mental Health Law),” Executive Director John C. de Leon said. According […]

Agriculture specialists and farmers acknowledged the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for the training programs and technologies extended to its stakeholders. On the Institute’s 35th anniversary, Nov. 5, Louderick Jimena, agricultural extension worker in Occidental Mindoro said PhilRice training contributed to his development as extensionist educating farmers in their area. “PhilRice gave me the much-needed confidence in making decisions on the field. Through PhilRice, I have a scientific […]

New strategies toward rice security were emphasized during the 32nd National Rice R4D conference hosted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), Nov. 4, in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. With the theme, “Sustaining high-quality rice science in the midst of change,” PhilRice presented its two programs and strategic vision: Strategically Modernized and Robust Technologies for a Competitive and Secure Rice Industry (SMARTerRice) and the Rice Business […]

DA-PhilRice summed up its 35 years of rice research for development (R4D) and service to Filipino farmers as it celebrated its 35th anniversary on Nov. 4-6, 2020, with the theme, “Kaalaman, Kakayahan, Kaunlaran.” R4D products such as seeds, machines, diagnostic tools, and rice-based foods/drinks were exhibited. Impact of training, integrated pest management, and knowledge products on a rice-secure Philippines were also highlighted. Extension modalities used since the Institute’s beginning from […]