Just before the recent announcement of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the arrival of El Niño, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program has already delivered almost 2 million bags of certified seeds that included early-maturing varieties across the country.  Experts at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) said early-maturing varieties are recommended during El Niño as these can be harvested before the drought intensifies so […]

As a contribution to the country’s bid for rice security, Korea’s Official Development Aid grants the Philippines with facilities that will improve the Philippine rice supply chain. Under the project, “Improving the rice supply chain to ensure quality of rice seeds and milled rice for distribution and buffer stocks in the Philippines,” Korea will allot USD 4.5M until 2026 to enhance rice seed distribution in the country. As one of […]

Forty and above is the new twenty.  While most people have their careers planned out by the age of 20, Kharen A. Pascual and Telma M. Santiago are just getting started. Starting anew Forty-year-old Kharen of Brgy. Estrella, San Mateo, Isabela used to be an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Hong Kong like her husband who is still working in Taiwan; this was her way of helping provide for the […]

More than a thousand farmers were encouraged to try the farming apps developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) during its farmers’ field day in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, March 29-30. Called Lakbay Palay, the two-day event introduced Leaf Color Chart (LCC) mobile application for nutrient management, Binhing Palay for variety selection, and eDamuhan for weed management, drone, machines, and recommended new varieties. Jeremy Turla of Dinalupihan, […]

Farmer-beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) will share their experiences as it reaches its fourth year during the Lakbay Palay of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), March 29-30. To be conducted at Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the two-day event will host the gathering of more than a thousand rice growers who will either learn more or answer the activity’s theme, “RCEF, […]

The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) hosted the launching of a partnership on Jan. 20 that aims to promote a water-saving technology that will reduce methane emission from rice farming. Conducted at the Crop Biotech Center, the partnership sealed agreements between the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems of the National Irrigation Authority, Ostrom Climate Solutions Inc., and three Irrigators Associations. The agreement involves the use of the […]

DA-PhilRice is ripe for the next years after executing its 2017-2022 strategic plan. During the past five years, the Institute has increased productivity and profitability by developing 28 new rice varieties with impressive characteristics, corresponding management recommendations, and farm machines. In 2021, it contributed to the country’s record-breaking palay output of 19.96 m metric tons. The Institute and its partners also secured the approval of Golden Rice, a new type […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) laid its draft strategic plan for 2023-2028 during the 34th Ugnay Palay: National Rice Research for Development (R4D) Conference, Dec. 7. The institute stakeholders agreed to implement the following banner programs: Rice Seed Systems 2.0, Scaling Modern and Adaptive Rice Technologies toward Prosperous Farming Communities (SMART Farm), and Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) 2.0. Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, deputy executive director for special […]

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairperson Atty. Karlo Alexei B. Nograles has recognized the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in “shaping the lives of the people and building up a better nation” during the institute’s anniversary celebration, Nov. 4.  The former cabinet secretary hailed the accomplishments of  Dangal ng Bayan regional winner Jose A. Orcino for his “untiring service and commitment” in improving the seed production performance by overseeing […]

Dr. Zosimo M. Battad, chancellor of the University of the East (UE), Caloocan campus, emphasized teamwork as an indispensable element in shaping institutional culture during the anniversary celebration of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), Nov. 3.  “More than ever, passion, commitment, loyalty, and teamwork is a must and must be part of culture — culture of excellence that has shaped this institution through the years,” Battad said […]