With El Niño putting water availability at risk, farmers’ cooperatives and associations examined technologies that could reduce production stress during prolonged dry conditions at a farmers’ field day called Lakbay Palay in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. During the Sept. 17 field tour at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), participants visited the FutureRice Farm and Palayamanan, where drought-tolerant rice varieties, rainwater harvesting, water impounding facilities, small irrigation water […]

Cabadbaran City farmers are moving into the premium rice market with a new Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP)-certified brand that gives locally produced rice a higher-value outlet. Recently launched by the Avanceña Beneficiaries and Farmers Multi-purpose Cooperative (ABFMPC), Angel Premium Rice is NSIC Rc 160 sourced exclusively from farms certified under PhilGAP and processed in a modern milling facility.   Offering consumers with fresh, safe, and premium-quality rice while creating greater […]

Scientists and plant breeders from 11 countries recently agreed to pursue joint research on climate-resilient crop varieties as rice and other food crops face increasing risks from drought, flooding, salinity, and emerging diseases. The agreement was reached during the 2026 Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia Mutation Breeding Workshop, hosted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the Science […]

The Philippines has completed Korea-supported upgrades in seed processing, storage, and digital inventory systems aimed at improving the quality of rice seeds and strengthening the monitoring of rice stocks for distribution and buffer supply. The improvements were implemented through the project “Improving the Rice Supply Chain to Ensure Quality of Seeds and Milled Rice for Distribution and Buffer Stock in the Philippines,” a collaboration involving the Philippine government, the Republic […]

Farmer cooperatives supported by the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) of the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have secured more than PhP128 million worth of rice supply contracts with local government units (LGUs) through Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act. The contracts cover rice supplies for food assistance, subsidy, and social welfare programs in several provinces, providing participating cooperatives and farmers with more stable markets and better […]

Farmers are urged to adopt water-saving technologies and adjust farm practices as a possible El Niño may bring prolonged dry conditions and below-normal rainfall in the coming months. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has historically identified Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and parts of Mindanao among areas vulnerable to dry spells affecting rainfed and irrigated rice systems. According to Dr. Kristine S. Pascual, water management specialist at […]

CABADBARAN CITY, Agusan del Norte — Farmers in this city will directly supply rice for a local food assistance program after the cooperative secured a PhP12.99-million contract through the Sagip Saka Act. The contract was awarded to the Avanceña Beneficiaries and Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative following the issuance of a Notice of Award under Republic Act No. 11321, or the Sagip Saka Act.  Atty. Joycel R. Panlilio, the DA Assistant Secretary […]

As wet season planting starts in some rice-growing areas, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is encouraging farmers to adopt cost-saving practices as rising global input prices continue to put pressure on farm production costs. PhilRice agriculturist Fredierick M. Saludez said farmers may save thousands of pesos per hectare by using certified seeds, properly leveling fields, and adopting efficient planting methods. According to Saludez, one of the easiest ways to […]

Innovations in hybrid rice seed production, climate resilience, and nutrition-focused rice initiatives earned a branch station of the country’s lead rice research and development agency recognition from the Civil Service Commission (CSC).  The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Isabela was named a regional qualifier for the 2026 Gawad Pagasa under the CSC’s Gawad Lingkod Bayani with the recognition conferred on May 12.  Among the initiatives highlighted in its nominations include […]

Farmers are being encouraged to consider early-maturing and drought-tolerant rice varieties as part of their preparations for a possible El Niño expected to bring drier conditions in the coming months. The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said these varieties can help farmers better manage water limitations and reduce risks to their crops during prolonged dry spells. Citing forecasts from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the agency said […]