Rice Agriculture Farmers RCEF Right amount of nitrogen fertilizer for rice can now be generated through a free android application developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). Derived from a four-stripped handy “ruler” called Leaf Color Chart (LCC), the PhilRice Leaf Color Computing Application (PhilRice LCC App), which can assess nitrogen status of the rice plant, is now available on Google Play Store (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ph.gov.philrice.lcc). Designed for farmers, […]

Green chili and pechay for Sinigang, eggplant for torta, and lettuce for your samgyupsal are just some of the vegetables you can literally grow even in a small living space. Yes, space and resources are not limitations in having your own harvest. How? Reuse plastic containers Try container gardening! Reuse empty plastic bottles, baskets, tetra juice packs, cans, and basins as containers in cultivating edible plants, instead of growing directly […]

To increase the accessibility of high-quality seeds in Mindanao, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) establishing a 50ha seed production area, June 24.  “Farmers’ competitiveness starts with high-quality inbred seeds. We have to double our efforts in producing high-quality seeds as demand for foundation, registered, and certified seeds will increase with the implementation of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Program […]

While pharmaceutical drugs are taken in when common illnesses strike, indigenous knowledge in three provinces comprised traditional rice varieties (TRV) as home remedies. In the “Ethnoguided Survey and Collection of Philippine Medicinal Traditional Rice Varieties,” 18 rice varieties were identified as medicinal in Palawan, North Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Norte. Across three sites, TRVs are used to treat fever, cough, measles, stomach ache, and diarrhea. Floper Gershwin Manuel, research lead, […]

In Region II, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in San Mateo, Isabela banks on radio to reach farmers in rural areas, which the station uses to relay updated agricultural information to increase farmers’ productivity and profitability. Based on a PhilRice study, radio is included in the farmers’ top three sources of agricultural information next to local government units and fellow farmers. For six years, PhilRice Isabela sustains its School-On-the-Air […]

Studies on ICT and satellite-based crop monitoring and typhoon-resistant farm structure were recognized in the 16th International Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Conference and Exhibition held in Negros Occidental, April 21-27. Out of 31 technical papers, “Operationalization of Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM): Revolutionizing Agriculture through ICT and Satellite-Based Crop Monitoring” emerged as the best paper. Judges noted the technologies’ contribution in providing reliable data for crop, pest, and damage monitoring. […]

Summer is one of the best times that we can fuel our children’s dreams. A PhilRice visit may give them a kick-start in knowing more about their passion and what they want to achieve.

A global trend is threatening food security.  Many of the young people are evidently leaving rural areas to pursue non-agricultural careers in urban districts. In the Philippines, a team from Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) finds a way to help engage the Filipino youth in agriculture. Dubbed as “Infomediary Campaign,” the campaign worked with the Department of Education (DepEd) to encourage the youth to explore the farming sector and to […]

In traditional farming, the carabao has to walk 60-80 km to plow a hectare. The patient beast faithfully does this for the rice to grow healthy as a well-prepared land helps in driving away pests and diseases. The interaction between the rice and the carabao is quite knitted that when in human forms, they could have easily poke each other – a playful gesture between friends. So it’s not a […]

Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – Superior rice varieties from the public breeding sector can be expected soon with the completion of a Genetic Resources Laboratory and Genebank housed at the Central Experiment Station of Philippine Rice Research Institute. Worth P23 million, the newly inaugurated facility houses more than 5000 Philippine traditional rice varieties and more than 16000 germplasm collections, which will provide the genes needed in breeding new […]