The youth’s participation in agriculture is slowly becoming a relevant ambition for the Philippines. It does not simply imply a brighter future for the youth of today; it also gives hope to the industry that provides food for every household table. In 2019, a number of policymakers have called for encouraging initiatives. Department of Education Sec. Leonor Briones said that agriculture must be integrated as early as in basic education. […]

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently listed Infomediary Campaign of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)  as one of 10 successful youth-focused initiatives in the world. “Youth in Action” highlighted the seven-year-old project operating in more than 200 schools in the Philippines together with efforts by private and public organizations from Zambia, Zanzibar archipelago, Egypt, Lebanon, Pacific Island States, Guatemala, Mexico, and Bangladesh. Launched in 2012, the Infomediary Campaign mobilizes high […]

It is still believed that planting more seeds results in higher yield. However, a recent study showed that in Caraga region, 20kg of seeds sown in a hectare is comparable with 40 or 60kg.  It seems the old adage “the more, the merrier” is not so reliable after all. PhilRice Agusan’s Caryl Agting, Genevieve Nemeño, Jehru Magahud, and Gerardo Estoy Jr. countered that seeding rates do not significantly influence the […]

Income of Bicol Agtas from farming are increasing under the project, Enhancing the Capabilities of Bicol’s Agta IPs through Palayamanan Approach. In 2018 dry season, Romulo Bobis from Danao, Albay earned a net income of P5,588 or P25,400/ha from vegetables, with a 60.99% return on investment (ROI). This was higher than the baseline economic survey in 2012, which revealed that income of Danao Agtas from agriculture-based resources excluding rice was […]

The Department of Agriculture (DA) urges individual farmers to enlist in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and join organizations to access agriculture-related programs and services including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Under the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), eligible RCEF beneficiaries include farmers, farmworkers, and their dependents who are listed in the RSBSA –an electronic database containing basic information of farmers and fisherfolks, and members […]

While some farmers may look at the world of marketing as unfamiliar ground, farmers of Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac’s Hardinero Agriculture Cooperative found that they can tame the trade game and be champions so long as they persevere. Through their participation in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) TienDA Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Outlet, they have proven that the best merchants in agriculture are the producers themselves. No traders Launched in 2017, TienDA […]

Bountiful harvest starts from good seeds. However, potentials of rice seeds are not optimized owing to misconceptions. Here are the top misunderstandings about rice seeds and a version of truth: Misconception #1: All rice varieties are suitable everywhere. There are over 300 inbred and hybrid Philippine rice varieties bred based on certain conditions. Their suitability depends on environment, planting season, and field conditions. Each variety is unique as it is […]

Earthworms are more than just inhabitants of the ground. In rice fields, their abundance and behavior can tell if a soil is healthy or polluted. A recent PhilRice study showed that the response of a certain species of earthworm can reveal possible chemical contamination of irrigated rice areas due to excessive and continued butachlor herbicide application. Butachlor is an active ingredient of herbicides, commonly used by farmers to control weeds […]

Certain species of rhizobacteria can modify the structure of rice roots, thereby increasing the plant’s ability to tolerate drought, a recent study showed. Drought stress is a limiting factor in rice production, especially in upland where farmers are dependent to rainfall as irrigation source. In their research, PhilRice scientists Roel Suralta, Jayvee Cruz, and their team, together with the students from Muñoz National High School, found that treating rice with […]

Makahiya (Mimosa pudica) and Lantana (Lantana camara), medicinal plants known to treat common diseases in humans, were also found to be beneficial to rice plants, recent study showed. In a research, Nueva Ecija High School student Lena Nagaosa with her adviser Jerandel Gaspar and PhilRice researchers Ma. Salome Duca and Dindo King Donayre, gathered that said perennial weed and flowering plant can fight bacterial leaf blight (BLB) in rice. BLB […]