Farmers in Bicol, Negros, and Laguna may now save PhP2,000 to PhP4,000 per hectare by adopting the Balanced Fertilization Strategy (BFS) being promoted under the Abonong Swak: Swak sa badyet, Swak sa palay campaign of the DA-PhilRice in partnership with the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). RCEF Units of Bicol and Negros stations introduced combo fertilizer options to farmers in Southern Leyte, […]

NEW AGENTS OF KNOWLEDGE. Twenty-nine agricultural extension workers (AEWs) across CALABARZON are now geared up to teach farmers on pest and nutrient management technologies. The AEWs were recently trained on pest and nutrient management under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Rice Extension Services Program. Adjoy Rubio from Jomalig, Quezon (Back row, 4th from L) said that she will share with farmers the modern technologies they can adopt. She […]

Thirty farmers from Laguna and Quezon recently graduated from the short course training on pest and nutrient management under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Rice Extension Services Program. Ronald Pandalag (1st row, 6th from R), a computer science graduate, received the Top Performer Award for his excellent performance during the 5-day training. The 25-year-old farmer was impressed by the ICT-based apps such as Binhing Palay introduced during the […]

DA-PhilRice revisited its vision, mission, and core values during its Strategic Planning Workshop held on May 25-26 to discuss the Institute’s new task environment. Challenges and opportunities, and possible thematic areas in rice research for development and extension (R4D&E) were also identified and fleshed out. A plenary discussion examined DA-PhilRice’s status in implementing the Strategic Plan, and how the outputs are being translated in RiceBIS areas.  The session “What should […]

Dr. Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos, nutritionist and supervising science research specialist at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), was conferred the Scientist I rank by the Scientific Career Council of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Science and Technology, April 22. Dr. Abilgos-Ramos, through her research works, has developed complementary food and beverage from rice and locally-available, nutrient-dense, and low-cost crops designed for malnourished older infants, pre-school […]

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur – Fertilizer recommendations based on Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) analysis is expected to help farmers here reduce their fertilizer expenses.  The recommendations, according to Bethzaida M. Catudan, focal person of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, are generated for provinces covered by the program to complement the certified inbred seeds distributed to the farmers. Fernando Borje of Brgy. Bitalag shared […]

Some 120 farmers and provincial agriculture staff joined the 2022 Dry Season Lakbay Palay at DA-PhilRice Negros, May 23. The event consisted of a field tour through seven stations and an open forum. At station 1, the Animal and Organic Options Component of DiscoveRice Project bannered the use of rice remnants as vermicompost substrates and animal feeds, while other crops are essential as food alternatives. Station 2 showcased six special- […]

Agricultural extension workers, local government unit farmer leaders, and representatives from farm schools, partner agencies, and state universities and colleges in Region 1 acquired knowledge on rice production technologies after the intensive Training of Trainers (TOT) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) on April 18-29 and May 10-21. The training centered on the production of high-quality inbred rice seeds, farm mechanization, knowledge-sharing competencies, ICT-based tools and […]

Golden Rice is now safe for public consumption. DA-PhilRice and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) are now drawing up plans to “deploy” this rice variety in the regions. DA-PhilRice Agusan will oversee seed production of Golden Rice and development of pilot-scale strategies in Regions 10 and Caraga. Dr. Ronan G. Zagado, Golden Rice Program leader, assured Agusan branch staff during a technical briefing on May 19, the rice is safe […]

The Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center in the Philippines turned over 13 greenhouses to farmers’ associations in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, May 18. Three greenhouses were awarded to the Buklod ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Batitang (BNMB) farmers’ association and four to Ugat-Uhay Farmers’ Association (UUFA). This is in addition to the six greenhouses already turned over to them. “These greenhouses will help raise farmers’ income [with the crops they […]