The provincial local government unit of Tarlac expressed their satisfaction with the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program for three consecutive seasons. During the recent briefing on the Department of Agriculture (DA) integrated rice programs conducted in the province, Dr. Alicia Cruz, provincial agriculturist said the program has significantly contributed to the increased yield and improved access to certified inbred seeds of rice farmers in Tarlac, from […]

I am Edelita Bodino, 54 years old. I belong to the Agta-Tabangnon tribe in Danao, Polangui, Albay. As so-called indigenous people (IP), we are known for planting rice and coconut on the mountain slopes. These rices we call Dinorado and Hinawa are cherished for their delicious taste. They are our community’s main staple food, but not our livelihood. We do not sell our rices. We only get cash from selling […]

Private-public partnership is expected to accelerate delivery of government service through a digital voucher system called Binhi e-Padala powered by PayMaya, which will be used to ease seed delivery and distribution for rice farmers. Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) together with PayMaya Philippines Inc., Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Multipurpose Cooperative, and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) launched the Binhi-e Padala in an online event, Sept. […]

When rice farmers ‘cried’ at the unacceptable palay prices in 2019, Ronald Aceret of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte ‘shed tears’ with them. He figured it wasn’t the best season in his long-lived farming career. “The price was low, and so was my harvest. Deduct the fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other farm expenses, there was almost nothing left for me to count. I was just grateful and consoled that we still had […]

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 […]