Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead agency on rice research and development, advances “Better Rice Communities” as the cornerstone of its 38th anniversary celebrations on Nov. 6-8. Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said that the theme is “very timely and relevant” in light of President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ directive to enhance local production of priority commodities including rice. “This year’s celebration theme, ‘Better Rice Communities,’ is very timely […]

Gains from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program continue as it reaches more than one million rice farmers across the country through its inbred rice certified seed delivery and distribution activities. Data from the RCEF Rice Seed Monitoring System showed that 11,952,883 bags of certified seeds were distributed to the farmers from its launch on Sept. 16, 2019 to March 15 this year. The distribution covers seven seasons […]

DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), the country’s lead agency on rice research and development, is encouraging stakeholders in the rice industry to scale up technologies to support the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP). In the Rice Technology Transfer Workshops held nationwide in June, latest farming recommendations and technologies were promoted, including the 40kg/ha seeding rate using appropriate variety and the Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM). Alternate wetting and drying, […]

Nanotechnology (nanotech) is revolutionizing farming, requiring a critical study on ultra-small-scale materials. “Nano” means “one billionth.”  Nanotech can set the standards for fertilizers, pesticides, and other agri supplies that contain agrochemicals. DA-PhilRice scientists and researchers are now navigating into nanotech by conducting a “fertilizer derby” experiment led by Dr. Leylani Juliano, chief science research specialist (SRS). A certain nano fertilizer is also being jointly developed with the Central Luzon State […]

To Third Domingo, farming was a childhood dream. Coming from a family of teachers and farmers, he now savors the different kind of happiness that agriculture offers, that is despite being a sought-after creative writer for big brands.  Now that he has built his own advertising company called IXM, he set off to his dream of being a farmer.  Farming: Returning to his roots  “When the sun sets, you stop […]

Rice production is very vital regardless of major disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because rice is a necessity. That is why despite hurdles, those who are tasked to increase rice production through hybrid rice persevere. Before the pandemic, Dr. Fidel Ramos, senior science research specialist at DA-PhilRice Isabela, related that their three-hectare parental seed production area in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya was already difficult to reach when there is typhoon […]

As vaccination against COVID-19 rises, in-person interactions are booming up even as isolations and physical distancing are at times taken for granted. Despite this welcome development, neurologist Dr. Konstantinos Petsanis worried that in life post-pandemic, “mental health repercussions regarding what is happening during this pandemic for people, today and beyond, will really be a problem in general.”  Data in 2020 suggest that Filipinos have the third highest rate of mental […]

Rice production is very vital regardless of major disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because rice is a necessity. That is why despite hurdles, those who are tasked to increase rice production through hybrid rice persevere. Before the pandemic, Dr. Fidel Ramos, senior science research specialist at DA-PhilRice Isabela, related that their three-hectare parental seed production area in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya was already difficult to reach when there is typhoon […]