The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) is spearheading an initiative to cultivate appreciation among Manila-based reporters and communications heads for rice production, while raising awareness of data-driven rice science and technology. In response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call to revolutionize agriculture with data-driven systems, the initiative enables journalists to understand rice production intricacies and communicate these effectively to the public through credible reporting on rice or “riceponsible” reporting. “This […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) reported its contributions in hitting the 2023 record harvest at its Bagong Pilipinas town hall meeting during the recent Lakbay Palay in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Reporting to more than 500 farmers, Executive Director John C. de Leon announces that the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program has distributed 16.04 million 20-kilogram bags of inbred rice seeds to 2.4 million unique […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has introduced four public hybrid varieties that are cheaper than their counterparts in a technology demonstration farm called “rice derby,” available for viewing during the recent 17th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. “Farmers are always searching for ways to reduce rice production costs. This forum promotes affordable, accessible government-funded hybrid varieties available for use,” said Science Research Specialist Jerry […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has issued pest management advisories following a report by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) identifying major pests that could pose a threat to rice production in the first quarter based on historical data from 1993 to 2023.  The pests listed by BPI include rodents, brown planthoppers, rice stem borers, bacterial leaf blight, and rice black bugs.  Data show that Region 3 is expected […]

Farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) have achieved gains from its programs’ services including provision of certified seeds, training, and communication support. In the programs’ review being held at DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on Feb. 6-8, implementers reported that seed recipients increased their average yield as shown in the midterm and seasonal monitoring and evaluation surveys conducted in the 42 original target provinces of the RCEF Seed […]

With the drafting of its strategic plan for 2023-2028, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is supporting the recently announced three-year plan of the Department of Agriculture (DA). PhilRice, the country’s lead agency on rice research and development, will roll out research for development and extension banner programs that are more integrated and focused on achieving better rice farming communities.  The programs include the Rice Seeds Systems that caters to necessities […]

El Niño may have brought the threat of dry spells and water scarcity, but the farmers’ resilience has risen to the occasion. Rather than succumbing to adversity, they have embraced the challenge as an opportunity to learn new techniques and innovative practices to combat the phenomenon’s effects while getting additional income. By practicing a water-saving technology called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), farmers in Gabaldon, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva […]

Newly appointed agriculture secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has pledged to focus on reducing rice importation during his tenure — a commitment made during the Ugnay Palay: 35th National Rice R4D Conference at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Nov. 29. “Our ultimate goal is to swiftly reduce rice imports for food security and efficiency. We also aim to inspire a new generation […]

Several legislators expressed their support for the BeRICEponsible campaign of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) as they visited the recent exhibit titled, “Palay. Bigas. Kanin. Alamin” at the Senate building in Pasay City. The lawmakers affirmed their commitment to the campaign by endorsing the ABKD practices: (A) Adlay, mais, saba, atbp. ay ihalo sa kanin; (B) Brown Rice ay kainin; (K) Kanin ay huwag sayangin; at (D) Dapat bigas […]

Sen. President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda urged Filipinos “not to waste rice” during “Palay. Bigas. Kanin. Alamin” exhibit held for the National Rice Awareness Month celebration. She also emphasized the importance of achieving rice self-sufficiency and reducing wastage in line with biodiversity and climate concerns. Read: https://www.lorenlegarda.com.ph/dont-waste-rice-legarda-reminds-public-2/?fbclid=IwAR3jFmMynaVa9mDKXxM_5d7O2jo2Yz8v7StCusHuUDwIEALjOJrnYeYVUjc