Over 236,000 farmers across the country are benefitting from the 1.2 million bags of certified inbred seeds released to local government units by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program on its third season of implementation. “PhilRice in partnership with provincial and municipal LGUs have been working non-stop despite the pandemic restrictions to deliver and distribute the certified inbred seed requirements of farmers listed in the Registry System for Basic Sectors […]

The National Cooperative Test (NCT) approved the release of the country’s first high temperature-tolerant rice varieties developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). After passing NCT, the varieties, which will be named NSIC Rc 600 and Rc 602, will be approved and registered by the National Seed Industry Council for commercialization. Seeds will be available in two or three planting seasons. Dr. Norvie L. Manigbas and Dr. […]

About 60,000 copies of primer and leaflets were received by the farm schools and farm organizations under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) in Region 2 and Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR). Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in San Mateo, Isabela reached 38 farm schools through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and 26 farmer-organizations. Recipients received PalayCheck System primers and Gabay sa Makabagong […]

PalaySikatan – a technology demonstration farm by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program provided a venue for farmers in the Bicol Region to know more about modern rice production. “I learned the proper way of cultivating rice through PalaySikatan. I used to immediately spray pesticide on my crop at the sight of insects. Now, I first check whether the insects are beneficial or harmful to my crop, and whether […]

I am Edelita Bodino, 54 years old. I belong to the Agta-Tabangnon tribe in Danao, Polangui, Albay. As so-called indigenous people (IP), we are known for planting rice and coconut on the mountain slopes. These rices we call Dinorado and Hinawa are cherished for their delicious taste. They are our community’s main staple food, but not our livelihood. We do not sell our rices. We only get cash from selling […]

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) lauds the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for having the highest number of active scientists in the Scientific Career System (SCS). In the recent oath-taking ceremony of newly conferred and upgraded scientists, DOST Secretary Dr. Fortunato T. Dela Peña commends PhilRice after three of its experts landed in this year’s ranking. “[With 12 scientists — nine Scientist I and three Scientist II], […]

These holidays, a food scientist in the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urged the public to patronize locally-grown rice as it is safe and of good quality. In a webinar aired on the Institute’s social media page, Dr. Marissa V. Romero shared a study comparing pesticide use in rice farms in the Philippines, China, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. “The study shows that Filipino farmers use less pesticide,” she said. […]

Well leveling of rice fields reduces farm damages caused by inefficient water flow and uneven distribution of fertilizer according to an expert from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). “A farmer could be targeting 100 sacks per hectare but if his/her field is poorly prepared, we expect a yield loss of 5 sacks per hectare or 5%,” Elmer Bautista of PhilRice Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division said in […]

As farmers prepare for dry season, the Rice Productivity Advocacy Incorporated (Rice Board) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) promoted the local public hybrid to rice tillers. In a recent webinar, Rice Board Pres. Recher Ondap said the activity aimed to transfer technologies that could increase yield and lower production cost on rice production, which include cultivating Mestizo 1 and Mestiso 20. Studies show that […]

Farmer-cooperators in Brgy. Lagui-sail, Laoag City harvested 6t/ha from the usual 4 t/ha this wet season by adopting the recommended inbred rice varieties and farm machines. Demonstrated in PalaySikatan – a demonstration area showcasing technologies promoted by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program, national and regional recommended varieties including NSIC Rc 222, Rc 216, and Rc 160 showed good performance. City Agriculturist Marilyn G. Martin said that farmers were impressed […]