Newly appointed agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has pledged to focus on reducing rice importation during his tenure — a commitment made during the Ugnay Palay: 35th National Rice R4D Conference at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Nov. 29. “Our ultimate goal is to swiftly reduce rice imports for food security and efficiency. We also aim to inspire a new generation […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP) is intensifying its efforts to enhance the skills of trainers from learning sites and farm schools in the Ilocos Region.  Nonilon I. Martin, RCEF extension focal, said they are expanding their outreach to include more trainers, aiming to strengthen their capacity to assist farmers in addressing field challenges and adopting mechanized operations in rice production. “We aim to encourage […]

A local rice farmers’ group in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, has secured a business deal with a non-government organization (NGO) that provides disaster relief, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). In an agreement, St. Vincent Parish Multipurpose Cooperative (SVPMPC) will supply 6,000 bags (25kg/bag) of well-milled rice to the People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (PDRRN). The coop has already delivered […]

Several legislators expressed their support for the BeRICEponsible campaign of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) as they visited the recent exhibit titled, “Palay. Bigas. Kanin. Alamin” at the Senate building in Pasay City. The lawmakers affirmed their commitment to the campaign by endorsing the ABKD practices: (A) Adlay, mais, saba, atbp. ay ihalo sa kanin; (B) Brown Rice ay kainin; (K) Kanin ay huwag sayangin; at (D) Dapat bigas […]

Rice farmers in Aurora and Bohol have increased their average yields by 1t/ha or more through the high-quality seeds they received through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program.  Aurora’s provincial agriculturist Arnold Novicio reported that their yield rose from 3.5t/ha 10 years ago to 4.5-5t/ha today.  Lorebien Lagapa, provincial rice seed program coordinator of Bohol, said their yield also improved from 2.73t/ha in 2022 to 3.6t/ha in 2023. […]

PhilRice heightened its BeRICEponsible advocacy during the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) conducted every November to encourage the public practice the “ABKD” of rice consumption.  To  “Be RICEponsible,” Filipinos are encouraged to follow the “ABKD”: A – Adlay, mais, saba, atbp. ay ihalo sa kanin (Mix rice with other food staples), B – Brown rice ay kainin (Eat brown rice or unpolished rice), K – Kanin ay huwag sayangin (Eat […]

Kicking off the Violence Against Women and their Children Campaign with a mission to cultivate change and promote a culture of respect and equality, the station wore orange during its flag ceremony to signal the start of the 18-day campaign. The campaign is observed annually from November 25 to December 12 as mandated by Proclamation No. 1172 s. 2006. Let’s sow the seeds of awareness and harvest a future free […]

PhilRice Isabela has conducted a refresher training course for graduates of the Training of Trainers program under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP),  Nov. 15- 23.  Thirty trainers, consisting of facilitators from farm schools and State Colleges and Universities, finished the course at the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center II (ATI-RTC II) in San Mateo, Isabela.  Dr. Andres dela Cruz Jr., RCEF coordinator, underscored the […]

Sen. President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda urged Filipinos “not to waste rice” during “Palay. Bigas. Kanin. Alamin” exhibit held for the National Rice Awareness Month celebration. She also emphasized the importance of achieving rice self-sufficiency and reducing wastage in line with biodiversity and climate concerns. Read: https://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/dont-waste-rice-legarda-reminds-public-2/?fbclid=IwAR3jFmMynaVa9mDKXxM_5d7O2jo2Yz8v7StCusHuUDwIEALjOJrnYeYVUjc

The National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) conducted every November has focused on increasing awareness on youth participation in agriculture and rice production processes during the 21st Ceremonial Rice Harvesting at the Luneta Park, Nov. 17. James Elwyn Leyte, senior research associate at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture – Philippines, motivated about 200 students from Salawag National High School in Dasmariñas, Cavite, to pursue careers in agricultural research and development. […]