The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has started training new brred of rice specialists to help the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) beneficiaries become competitive. Titled Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC), it is set to enhance the technical competence of rice focal persons from the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Regional Centers and DA-Regional Field Offices, June 24-Aug. 17.Twenty-nine participants completed part 1 of the training course that focused on mind-setting […]

An official of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead agency on rice research for development, persuaded more than 400 farmers to adopt new technologies to survive rice trade liberalization. In farmers’ event called Lakbay Palay conducted at PhilRice Negros, Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, deputy executive director for development, said science-based technologies such as seeds and machines, coupled with sipag (diligence), and pagsama-sama (organized and united) will help […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead agency for rice research for development, pushes for the use of high-quality inbred seeds and its associated technologies to help farmers become competitive and survive the influx of cheaper rice from the international market. According to PhilRice experts, competitiveness means increasing farmers’ yield by at least 5 tons per hectare for inbred seeds and reducing their production cost by 30%. Signed on […]

Head of the country’s lead agency on rice research for development rallies workers to support the upcoming Rice Tariffication Act or currently the Senate Bill 1998, which aims to replace import restrictions on rice with tariffs. Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, acting executive director of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), urged in his statement early this month that cost-effective technologies should be further generated for the farmers to survive the possible influx […]

Crude bioethanol distiller that is powered by rice husk was acclaimed grand prize winner during the recent Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property Awards (AMY IP Awards) held at the Manila Hotel. Invented by engineers at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the machine uses rice husk as alternative fuel to produce crude bioethanol (lambanog or vodka) from fermented feedstock. Engr. Alexis Belonio, PhilRice senior research fellow and main inventor, said […]

Filipinos’ love for rice is unlimited. Despite the need to include other high value crops in our health, Filipino families prioritize rice in the food expenses.  For families living below the poverty line, having rice on the table is enough as they cannot afford a diverse diet to meet their nutritional needs due to rising food prices. “Rice intake was lowest among the richest households and highest among poor households,” […]

Local government units of the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija and San Mateo, Isabela engage the public in a consultation on the proposal for the field trial application of Golden Rice. Following the completion of the risk assessment of Golden Rice (GR2E), the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has advised PhilRice to “proceed with the public consultation for Golden Rice.” Golden Rice is a new type […]

In preparation for the wet season when pests and diseases are usually prevalent, local farmer technicians (LFTs) from Pangasinan completed a week-long specialized course at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station, June 4-8. Ev P. Angeles, training coordinator of PhilRice’s Technology Management and Services Division, said LFTs are trained to help their fellow farmers in identifying, assessing, and managing major pests and diseases in rice. She said LFTs are model farmers […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) launched the new number of its Text Center to make rice information more accessible to farmers. Farmers can now reach the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) through 0917-111-7423. The Text Center agents are available to answer queries about rice seeds and modern farming practices from Monday-Friday, 9 am-5pm. A digital platform, PTC provides daily consultation services to rice farmers around the country through call and SMS. Farm […]

The Philippine Rice Research (PhilRice) kicked off the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) with a celebration of its 32nd founding anniversary with the theme Charting the course of a rice-secure Philippines, November 6-7. The country’s lead agency in rice research for development honored more than 100 of its rice workers for their external and peer recognitions, scientific productivity, scholastic, and loyalty awards during the Dangal ng PhilRice Awarding Ceremonies. “Keeping […]