The National Rice Technology Forum’s (NRTF) hybrid rice demonstration site in Cauayan, Isabela is estimated to hit the highest yield this quarter. In a report by Dr. Santiago R. Obien, Department of Agriculture’s (DA) senior technical adviser, he presented crop cut yield data showing that eight of the hybrid rice varieties in the NRTF demonstration site will hit the highest yield of 15.6t/ha (dry weight) this harvest season. “Crop cutting […]

Jehanel V. Soriano, 24, has set her heart out in agriculture. She is an agricultural enterprise entrepreneur, farmer, and farm school owner. Born and raised in llagan, City, Jehanel started as an enumerator in her alma mater, the Central Luzon State University in Nueva Ecija for five years, and as a market inspector of DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center in Isabela for a year. An agricultural business management graduate, she eventually […]

A project in Aurora Province from 2012 to 2014 saw that challenges of climate change and rice production are best addressed together by the community. Farmers participating in the project who agreed to practice synchronous planting were rewarded with less pest damage and more yield. Passing ordinances incentivizing collective action in employing yield-enhancing practices like synchronous rice planting is in the right direction if the aim is to increase yield […]

For people in the city area, “see you at SM” means “meeting at a shopping mall”. Interestingly, to the facilitators and farmer-cooperators of the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Community Program at Brgys. Macarse and Mayamot, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, “SM” stands for “Silong ng Mangga”. Such was the expression during the program’s early years of implementation when the villages in the area still had not much – no facilities nor […]

A sturdy stronghold in troubled times, Castillejos in Zambales is fortifying its territory by prioritizing good supply of healthy and safe food with assistance from PhilRice’s RiceBIS project. Eleanor D. Dominguez, mayor of Castillejos, said that the restricted movements due to the pandemic, destructive typhoons, and crooked traders have severely affected not only the farmers, but also the consumers as these factors threaten food production and the supply chain. Like […]

There is strength in togetherness. This line proves true in the journey toward success of Balangibang Palayamanan Farmers Incorporated (BPFI). When consecutive setbacks confronted them, members of this farmers’ association in Polangui, Albay dared to find opportunities in the midst of difficulties. It started with hunger to learn BPFI members started from participating in a farmer field school in 2010. “We started as a group of farmers who wanted to […]

Information and educational materials on rice production will be released soon to the rice stakeholders in Region XII and nearby regions as a result of the signed memorandum of agreement between the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Midsayap and the National Irrigation Administration XII. Based on the agreement, the two agencies will package and disseminate a rice farmers’ practice called Panggas in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, and farmers’ experiences […]

Potential of bacteria and fungi in decontaminating rice ecosystems with mine tailings was observed in the latest study conducted by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU).   According to Perfecto S. Ramos Jr, study lead, results unlocked the possibility that contaminants, pollutants, and toxins in rice fields near mining sites can still be removed through the use of helpful bacteria and fungi or in a process called bioremediation. Results showed nine microorganisms […]

Farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program were impressed with the crop stand of rice varieties and efficiency of a rice machine showcased in Brgy. Balza, Malinao, Albay. “Varieties shown in the techno demo have more tillers and grains, which hint high harvest,” a farmer included in the 50 field visitors said. Called Palay Sikatan, the 6-ha techno demo field showcased NSIC Rc 222, Rc 216, Rc 160, […]

To help develop quality, climate-change resilient varieties, the Philippines has been part of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) collaboration on rice technologies and germplasm since 2016. Through the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (DA-PhilRice) Genetic Resources Division, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Lao PDR have been effecting material exchanges with agreed intellectual property coverage. To be completed this year, the collective pool has opened pathways to identifying promising genetic make-ups. “Techno-transfer and […]