Farmers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program in Laguna are experiencing significant improvements in their rice production skills and yields, thanks to the program’s Farmer Field School (FFS).  RCEF-FFS provides training on aspects of rice farming, including computing rice production expenses, applying the correct fertilizers, managing water efficiently, using machinery, and developing social skills. Venancio Z. Porcincula, a 69-year-old farmer from Pila, Laguna, reported a substantial increase in […]

Farmers in Buenavista, Quezon have increased their productivity by locally producing the seeds of Mestiso 20 or M20 introduced by the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) in 2022 and have proven to be resilient to diseases and drought. One of the seed producers, Alex Simbajon, received training from DA-RFO and started growing M20 seeds in his 1.5 ha. He sold his seeds to other farmers in the area, including […]

More than 11,000 rice farmers are set to receive certified inbred rice seeds and knowledge products from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed and Rice Extension Services programs. The certificates for these seeds were distributed during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisvo Fair held Nov. 4-5 at the Laguna Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Los Baños has allocated more than 30,000 seed bags, […]

Grace Pastrana, a 25-year-old agricultural technologist from the Occidental Mindoro provincial agriculture office, is now a proud farmer-partner in improving the rice growers’ sustainable practices. Having completed the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Specialist Training Course (RCEF RSTC), Grace now serves as a valuable resource speaker, facilitator, and advocate for ecological farming practices in her province. The RCEF RSTC is a comprehensive training program that aims to develop rice specialists […]

Farmer-cooperators in Buenavista, Quezon are now producing hybrid rice seeds resulting in an increased supply in Luzon. Acknowledged as first seed suppliers of Mestiso 20 (M20) in Luzon, members of the Hagonghong-Bucal Association Alex Simbajon and Buenavista Vice Mayor Rey Rivera are distributing seeds in the area. M20 seeds are usually bought from Mindanao. With a hectare seed production area in Buenavista, Quezon, Simbajon and Rivera ensures that their practices […]

Farmers are more inclined to adopt new practices when they are introduced by fellow rice growers.  Higenio Cuento, a graduate of Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Rice Extension Services Program training in 2019, observes this as he trains fellow tillers in the Masaganang Bukid Farm in Nagcarlan, Laguna. Cuento observed that farmer-participants were eager to learn about the technologies promoted by RCEF in Farmer Field School (FFS); however, not all […]

Roel Pagana from Tayabas City, Quezon increased his yield by 1t/ha by using certified inbred seeds and following recommendations from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). A farmer for three decades, Pagana planted new varieties such NSIC Rc 402 and new, pure seeds, which he received from RCEF Seed Program. Before the program, he used to rice seeds from previous harvest. From the usual harvest of barely achieving 4t/ha, his […]

TeknoTalakayan. A new sharing and learning activity under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program provided venue for the beneficiaries to convey their experiences to fellow farmers. Recently, Nolasco Ilas, farmer-cooperator and machine operator, reported that using combine harvester made his work easier. With this machine, he only employed four to five farm hands compared with the usual 15-20 to finish a hectare in one day. TeknoTalakayan of the […]

Romeo Ferrer, 65, and Florante De Luna, 50, from Gumaca, Quezon used to spend a lot of time and money to transplant the one-hectare land they each owned. But when they began using mechanical transplanters, things started to change for the better. They have been religiously following the recommended practices and technologies they learned through their engagement as farmer-cooperators of the PalaySikatan technology demonstration last 2021 wet season. They are […]

Jorge Acero, 56, clearly remembers this line from his youngest son after graduating in 2018. He has spent 23 years abroad – 8 years in Saudi Arabia and 15 years in Qatar. Thanks to his son’s prodding; he is now a happy, contented farmer-returnee. On February 29, 2020, Acero arrived in the Philippines after resigning from his work abroad since all his three children have already graduated. He decided to […]