This year’s National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), which is being celebrated every November, was themed “Be RICEponsible”. NRAM gravitated anew on responsible rice consumption with activities aimed at reducing rice wastage and supporting farmers. The “Half-Cup, Full-Heart” challenge urged Filipinos dining out not to buy more than they can finish. Branch stations breath life to the theme through various activities: Midsayap hosted “Roots and Shoots,” involving staff and students in […]

Over 1,200 farmers, agricultural officers, extension workers, and representatives from local government units and state universities and colleges heard the good news about the possible extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program during the Lakbay Palay held at the DA–PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Sep. 18-19. “The extension of RCEF is for the farmers and cooperatives. If RCEF is extended, the tariff revenue from imported rice will help the […]

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed in July 2024 the PhilRice Executive Director along with three new members to its Board of Trustees as part of a strategic initiative to boost rice production and improve the livelihoods of Filipino rice farmers. Dr. John C. de Leon took his oath for a second term as the PhilRice Executive Director on July 29, 2024. Initially appointed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte […]

Dr. John C. de Leon took his oath for a second term as the PhilRice Executive Director on July 29, 2024. Initially appointed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019, Dr. de Leon  has been instrumental in aligning the Institute’s initiatives with the PhilRice Strategic Plan and with the Department of Agriculture’s overarching objectives. His leadership is pivotal in achieving record-breaking palay production outputs in both 2021 and 2023, […]

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, again commends PhilRice for its effective implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed and Rice Extension Services Programs. At an official Congress activity on May 14, Villar highlighted PhilRice’s achievements, noting substantial increases in farmers’ yields largely resulting from the extensive distribution of inbred certified seeds.  “I’ve been the chair of the committee for eleven […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in its effort to promote people excellence for efficient and effective delivery of public service, passed the assessment from the Civil Service Commision-National Capital Region (CSC-NCR) for the requirements of Maturity Level III under the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM), on June 28. Under the PRIME-HRM, PhilRice HRMO was recognized for having integrated all the four core systems […]

A. Department of Agriculture Secretary, Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.  reiterated DA’s support to Presidential Communications Office (PCO) as it stands united in its pledge to deliver transparent, accurate, and reliable information to the public. B. Communication heads from various DA agencies participate in the discussion in the Food Security Cluster Communication Workshop 2024 , which seeks to broaden and deepen the understanding of government communicators and media practitioners on the […]

To emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration among Filipino farmers and the rice industry stakeholders, more than 1,000 participants, including farmers, students, extension workers, and researchers, gathered at PhilRice, Nueva Ecija on March 20–21. The gathering highlighted the active engagement of  farmers, agricultural officers, extension workers, representatives from various LGUs, schools, colleges, and universities. Lakbay Palay is a bi-annual farmers’ field day and forum, sponsored by the Rice Competitiveness […]

Sen. Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, commended PhilRice as she graced the 2023 RCEF Seed and Extension Programs Annual Review on Feb. 6-8, in Nueva Ecija. She strongly supports an extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to continue providing crucial support to local farmers. Villar emphasized the need for sustained efforts to increase rice output per hectare and reduce production costs under the Rice […]

The PhilRice management has finalized details of its 2023-2028 operational plan during its Annual Review and Planning Workshop at its Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija, Jan. 15-17.  Focusing on improved productivity and income for prosperous rice farming communities; better consumer access to affordable, safe and nutritious rice; and stable rice supply, the plan includes implementing innovative farming technologies, improving the rice seed system, and linking farmers to market.  It […]