As the nation prepares to commemorate Rizal Day on Dec. 30, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) draws inspiration from the words of Dr. Jose Rizal, “The youth is the hope of our future,” by empowering the youth to take an active role in agriculture and leadership through its BeRICEponsible Leadership Camp. Recently pilot-tested at the RICEsParK in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the camp aims to mold […]

Filipino farmers are set to benefit from the extended implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) under the amended Agricultural Tariffication Act (RA 12078), which extends the program until 2031. With an annual budget tripled from P10 billion to P30 billion, RCEF aims to boost agricultural productivity and sustainability through expanded programs, modern technologies, and strengthened farmer support mechanisms. The additional funding will enhance initiatives such as soil health […]

With diabetes rising as the fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines, PhilRice food scientists are exploring rice varieties better suited for people with the medical condition. They are investigating rice with low glycemic indexes (GI) to help manage blood sugar levels. According to Dr. Marissa V. Romero, a food scientist, white rice is the primary source of carbohydrates for most Filipinos, and excessive rice consumption often contributes to […]

As communities across Aurora province grapple with the aftermath of Super Typhoon Pepito, Casiguran farmers remain resilient showing their willingness to try the walk-behind rice transplanter introduced in a ceremonial crop establishment, Dec. 16-17.  Jaime E. Bautista, 65, who faced a dramatic 73% reduction in his rice harvest, praised the machine’s cost-efficiency during the PalaySikatan 2.0 technology demonstration of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.  “I usually spend about P10,000 per […]

Efforts to transform seed grower groups into cooperatives are expected to improve CALABARZON’s seed supply system by reducing transportation costs and streamlining operations, farmer-leaders said in a recent forum organized by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). Two major organizations, the Quezon Palay Seed Growers Association, Inc. (QPSGAI) and the Samahan ng mga Magbibinhi sa Laguna, Inc. (SAMALAGUN), are set to join the Agriculture Cooperative of Progressive Laguna […]

Efren Ebalida, a farmer-cooperator in Iba, Zambales, lauded the walk-behind transplanter as “time-saving and cost-efficient” during the recent RCEF PalaySikatan 2.0 ceremonial crop establishment. The machine, he said, reduced his labor costs from P10,000 to just P3,000 per hectare, requiring only four to five laborers to complete the task in 12 hours. The event also highlighted NSIC Rc 534 and modern farming technologies that boost yields, increase farmers’ income, and […]

Farmers in Bicol and Eastern Visayas can anticipate a more efficient delivery of certified inbred seeds from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) in the upcoming 2025 dry season attributed to a recent series of workshops led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).  The workshops, held in 12 provinces, prepared municipal agriculturists, rice coordinators, and agricultural officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to streamline seed distribution processes. They […]

Farmer Ramil B. Ballejo from Panay, Capiz credited Minus-One-Element Technique (MOET) for his abundant harvest of 7t/ha and 50% savings from fertilizer cost. This soil testing technology is promoted in the PalaySikatan 2.0 technology demonstration farms under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program.

Farmers in three regions in Mindanao reported an increase in rice yields after adopting technologies showcased in the upgraded PalaySikatan program, a technology demonstration initiative under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Program.  Spanning five sites in Regions 10, 11, and 13, PalaySikatan 2.0 integrates modern farm machinery, agri-smart technologies, and customized training programs to improve productivity and market access for Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs). Certified inbred seeds were also […]

Development communication specialists, Joshua P. Mendoza and Carlo G. Dacumos, of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have been recently recognized for their excellence in journalism and photography. Mendoza, science research specialist and Climate Tracker Asia reporter, won the Best Online Story award at the 17th Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards for his report on the potential role of climate change in the migration of fall armyworm in the Philippines. […]