For Alex Equias, a training graduate under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program, farming is a family affair. His view is shared globally as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations declared 2019-2028 as the UN Decade of Farming. The UN published that more than 80% of the food in the world is produced by family farmers. “I want farming to be something my family continues to […]

Do you know that a rich source of information on Philippine soils is easily available and accessible online? This is the Philippine Soil Information System. A quick dig-up on the internet leads you to this online data treasury. What is this online data treasury? The PhilRice Soil Information System (PSIS) is a web portal in the DA-PhilRice Database and Management Portal (DBMP) that contains extensive data and information on the […]

While his fellow farmers switch to high-value crops due to rice’s low yield and market price, Abner Javier continues to plant the country’s staple food believing that rice can reach its potential yield with the right technologies. He is passionate of this belief that for eight years, the 50-year-old farmer-leader from Calauan, Laguna teaches modern rice farming in his Javier Integrated Farm (JIF) school without charge. With the pandemic and […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Ligao City, Albay launches new technology demonstration sites under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program this dry season 2023. Called PalaySikatan, the techno demo will showcase the performance of the region’s national and regional recommended varieties in Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon, Oas in Albay, and Mobo in Masbate. Mechanized farming will also be promoted to help farmers become competitive in […]

Farmers from Bicol and Eastern Visayas now have improved access to high-quality seeds as four new seed grower cooperatives and associations (SGC/As) were recently accredited as certified seed suppliers of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. After their training, the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Ligao City, Albay has accredited Masbate Seed Growers, Inc; Bicol Seeds Grower Multipurpose Cooperative; and Bicolandia Seed Grower Association, Inc […]

As appreciation and understanding of rice are vital steps in helping the country achieve enough rice supply, DA-PhilRice recalibrates its frontline education program to ensure that visiting learners will value rice and rice farmers; and gain substantial knowledge on rice science and technology. Executive Director John de Leon recently issued a memorandum designating rice experts from each division to respond to the learners’ needs, further improving the Institute’s quality of […]

Extensionists and farmers in a village in Hungduan, Ifugao expressed their gratitude to the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program for helping their community attain enough rice supply. According to municipal agriculturist Jonathan Wakoy, planting inbred rice with seeds provided by the RCEF Seed Program, helped the farm households of Brgy. Maggok sustain rice supply until the next harvest. “Farmers here used to only plant traditional or heirloom rice […]

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) hosted the launching of a partnership on Jan. 20 that aims to promote a water-saving technology that will reduce methane emission from rice farming. Conducted at the Crop Biotech Center, the partnership sealed agreements between the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems of the National Irrigation Authority, Ostrom Climate Solutions Inc., and three Irrigators Associations. The agreement involves the use of the […]

“They say that sailing across the sea is a dream come true, yet, you can also sail in the farm and build dreams of your own.”  Christopher Harold C. Arboleda, 31-year-old-graduate of a training of trainers (TOT) course by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Rice Extension Services Program said.  “In farming, you own your time. I’m the worker, I’m also the boss. If you’re looking for a career or […]

Wellness hubs like a meet-up spot on a rooftop called Roofscape, D’Pharm Herbal and Vegetable Garden, and an arboretum were launched in a mindsetting and mental wellness activity of the development sector, Jan. 24. Initiated by the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Development, the activity was aimed to strengthen teamwork and encourage staff to de-stress after a hard day’s work.