With the public sector seeking to strengthen rice supply and enhance seed distribution, South Korea has committed USD 4.5 million to bolster the Philippines’ rice sector including the construction of a new rice seed warehouse in Isabela. The facility, which includes cold storage, a generator set, and a forklift, was officially opened during the 33rd anniversary of Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in San Mateo, Isabela under the […]

Farmers are being urged to take proactive measures against pest infestations expected in early 2025 with the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recommending strategies to minimize crop damage and yield losses. Historical data from 1994 to 2024 compiled by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) identified rodents, brown planthoppers (BPH), rice stem borers, bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and rice black bugs (RBB) as the top threats to rice […]

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) is scaling up its climate risk mapping efforts to help rice farmers combat the growing threat of extreme weather, which has already caused billions in agricultural losses nationwide. Drawing inspiration from Vietnam’s mapping initiatives, PhilRice’s Climate-Smart Maps for Strengthening the Adaptation Plans of Farming Communities (CS Map) Project provides farmers and local governments with data-driven tools to prepare for typhoons, droughts, floods, […]

To strengthen policy advocacy for rice farming, the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) conducted a policy writing consultation led by Atty. Jay B. Villafria Jr. of Central Luzon State University (standing 10th from left). Organized by the Policy Research and Advocacy Project (PRAP) under PhilRice’s Socioeconomics Division, the session focused on crafting effective policy briefs and understanding local governance frameworks. Villafria emphasized the urgency of aligning agricultural policies with climate […]

Farmers in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, will continue to receive support from the Korea Partnership for Agriculture (KOPIA) even after the organization formally ended its operations in the Philippines. The partnership with the Batitang Agricultural Cooperative (BAC) has been extended until August this year, backed by a PhP1 million cash grant to improve postharvest facilities.  KOPIA has also provided Zaragoza farmers with training in sustainable farming, greenhouses for high-value crops, a […]

As rising production costs threaten the profitability of rice farming, experts at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) are pushing for mechanized direct seeding as a cost-efficient alternative to manual broadcasting. “Using the recommended 40kg per hectare seeding rate with mechanization not only reduces costs but also improves efficiency,” said Leylani M. Juliano, a chief science research specialist at PhilRice.  She said that this method minimizes drudgery in […]

Nearly six years after the enactment of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), the Philippines’ rice sector has made significant strides, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the government, local authorities, farmers, and other stakeholders, according to recent data. Survey results show that initiatives such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) and the National Rice Program (NRP) have played a pivotal role in the sector’s growth by empowering farmers and […]