More than 100 tons fresh paddy of beta carotene-enriched Malusog Rice have been harvested this wet season in 17 pioneer production sites across the country. The first harvest will be milled for distribution in target households with pre-school children identified at-risk for vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and undernutrition, as well as pregnant and lactating mothers. Grateful for the harvest, Antique Gov. Rhodora Cadiao said that Malusog Rice can be one […]

A farmer in Brgy. Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon used available materials in his house in assembling a plastic drum seeder –  a machine that plants rice. With the rising cost of rice production, Ernesto Apuli improvised the drum seeder through wheels from an old bike and metal frames from an old jeepney. Apuli learned about the machine in a technical briefing conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). […]

Living a healthy life is a matter of choice. While some people choose to be healthy, others take on the bigger responsibility to help others live a healthy life.  In the rice industry, there are people who took on the challenge to bring healthier rice options to more Filipinos’ tables.  Rice options to curb malnutrition  Upon learning that 3 of 10 children are malnourished and 7 of 10 women are […]

Nanotechnology (nanotech) is revolutionizing farming, requiring a critical study on ultra-small-scale materials. “Nano” means “one billionth.”  Nanotech can set the standards for fertilizers, pesticides, and other agri supplies that contain agrochemicals. DA-PhilRice scientists and researchers are now navigating into nanotech by conducting a “fertilizer derby” experiment led by Dr. Leylani Juliano, chief science research specialist (SRS). A certain nano fertilizer is also being jointly developed with the Central Luzon State […]

A short drive from the highway along San Antonio Weste in Lupao, Nueva Ecija is a field teeming with vegetables ready for harvest. Beside it is another field from which rice was freshly harvested. One would not think that these were barren seven months ago. Aila G. Grospe, farm owner, recalls that the 1.3-ha farm has been abandoned for 15 years since her father passed away. The sudden twist of […]

(L-R) Artists Hermisanto, DA-PhilRice alumna Buts Newingham, and resident artist Sonny Pangilinan launched their three-person exhibit, “Ani ng sining at agham” in the Science City of Muñoz on Dec 14. Hosted by the Tourism Office of the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija, the exhibit features artworks that used rice grains and hull as a medium. Exhibit runs until Jan 20, 2023.

DA-PhilRice is ripe for the next years after executing its 2017-2022 strategic plan. During the past five years, the Institute has increased productivity and profitability by developing 28 new rice varieties with impressive characteristics, corresponding management recommendations, and farm machines. In 2021, it contributed to the country’s record-breaking palay output of 19.96 m metric tons. The Institute and its partners also secured the approval of Golden Rice, a new type […]

To Third Domingo, farming was a childhood dream. Coming from a family of teachers and farmers, he now savors the different kind of happiness that agriculture offers, that is despite being a sought-after creative writer for big brands.  Now that he has built his own advertising company called IXM, he set off to his dream of being a farmer.  Farming: Returning to his roots  “When the sun sets, you stop […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) laid its draft strategic plan for 2023-2028 during the 34th Ugnay Palay: National Rice Research for Development (R4D) Conference, Dec. 7. The institute stakeholders agreed to implement the following banner programs: Rice Seed Systems 2.0, Scaling Modern and Adaptive Rice Technologies toward Prosperous Farming Communities (SMART Farm), and Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) 2.0. Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, deputy executive director for special […]