Farmers in San Agustin, Zambales expressed interest in adopting a walk-behind mechanical transplanter shown in a recent techno demo conducted by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. The farm machine not only reduces labor expenses, typically requiring a team of 2-3 laborers, but it also enables farmers to plant one hectare per day. Data show that this shift reduced the expenses of hiring 13 laborers at P400 each […]

Rice farmers in Libungan, Cotabato recently adopted the Binhi e-Padala System, a digital platform designed to enhance the distribution of certified seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program.  The Binhi e-Padala System operates by sending eligible beneficiaries a unique claim code via text message or QR code. The farmers then present this code when collecting their seeds. This approach promises to streamline the seed distribution process, ensuring […]

Farmers in Lanao del Norte who had previously abandoned rice farming due to significant yield losses are now looking forward to improved harvests, thanks to the efforts of a graduate from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Service Program (RCEF RESP). Queenie R. Notario, owner of a farm school in Bacolod, has begun planning outreach to these farmers.  “My mission is to restore their faith in rice farming. I […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program has produced 575 new rice specialists through the Rice Specialists Training Course (RSTC) from 2019-2023 to help the rice farmers compete in the international rice market. Lea dR. Abaoag, training component lead of the RCEF Rice Extension Services Program at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), said the RSTC program is a comprehensive course designed to develop trainer-leaders. From the original RSTC curriculum, new […]

Representatives from Korean and Philippine national agencies and corporations recently commenced construction on a new rice seed processing facility and warehouse with cold storage, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties.  Established in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the facility, according to Dr. Byung Ki Lee, Global Agricultural Policy Institute (GAPI) project manager, is expected to help increase the utilization rate of high-quality certified rice seeds, improve self-sufficiency […]

With more implementers trained on agroenterprise development, more farming communities will soon benefit from the clustering approach in the Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) Program. In a recent three-day training course on agroenterprise, 40 implementers worked on expanding the value chain-oriented agroenterprise in its 23 communities nationwide. They also learned about processing, product generation, marketing, policy, monitoring, and evaluation from trainor Ronnel dela Cruz. 

DA-PhilRice Isabela, in partnership with DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) and the Local Government Unit of Dupax Del Sur, observed International Day for Rural Women yesterday with women and men farmers of Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya. The municipality will host the next RiceBIS community with Saint Vincent Multipurpose Cooperative as the partner farmers organization. An array of rice food products like brown rice cookies, brown rice puff balls, and […]

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is ramping up its advocacy efforts for the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) to enhance public awareness about “BeRICEponsible.” The online activities, which is a part of the NRAM celebration held every November, will kick off through the RCEF PalayAralan TV on Facebook on Oct. 27, 3 p.m. Established under Proclamation No. 524 in 2014, this year’s NRAM focuses on the theme […]

Farmers’ lives are expected to improve with the new plan mapping abundance in our farmers’ fields. The rice fields may seem to stretch endlessly toward the horizon, a testament to the sheer scale and the ambition of the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, but like the rice stalks laden with heavy, golden grains, the Program runs after prosperity. This time, farmers are not alone as communities and value chain stakeholders […]

The notion of debt often carries a heavy burden of negativity and caution as Benjamin Franklin said, “If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for [they] that go a borrowing go a sorrowing.” For the South Agusan Multipurpose Cooperative (SAMPCO), the word “debt” did not conjure images of financial distress and burdensome obligations. Cooperative officials instead envisioned it as a potent instrument for […]