Decision-making is made easy as rice-related information is right at our fingertips. Thanks to ICT and digital technologies! Information and communications technology (ICT) and digital technologies pave the way for anticipatory decision-making and action for our policymakers, researchers, development workers, and rice farmers. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM), Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS), and Oryza Germplasm Management System (GEMS) are just among the decision-making tools available. With the […]

Training as professional intervention should not end with its mere conduct; it should also include the documentation of former trainees’ lives years after being trained. Questions such as what happened to the trainees years after their training, did they share their knowledge with their community, and what needs to be improved in the training course or program should be asked. According to Rowena A. Pineda, senior science research specialist of […]

Three women farmers in Currimao, Ilocos Norte retell their stories of separation, hard work, and triumph with DA-PhilRice Batac. They were the Institute’s farmer-partners in implementing the Palayamanan and the JICA Technical Cooperation Projects (TCP) 3 a couple of decades or so ago. Palayamanan is a diversified integrated rice-based farming system that aimed to maximize the use of resources, reduce farming risks, enhance sustainability, productivity and profitability, and improve economic […]

While we move our seeds, we also move knowledge as well as people especially the farmers. To complement the seed distribution pursuits being waged across the country, PhilRice, together with ATI, PHilMech, and TESDA, is also multiplying its efforts to implement the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) extension initiatives such as the conduct of the Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC). Lea dR. Abaoag, head of the Technology Management and Services […]

Farmers can further observe the performance of hybrid rice with the extended run of its techno demo in Asingan and Urdaneta City, Pangasinan until 2nd week of April. In a 37.5-ha, Mestiso 20 (M20), one of the 25 hybrid rice varieties, and six inbred varieties –NSIC Rc 160, Rc 216, Rc 300, Rc 402, Rc 438, and Rc 480 are featured. The techno demo, which is part the 8th National […]

Go Public Mestiso.  Participants assess Mestiso 20 (M20), one of the hybrid rice varieties featured in the recent Hybrid Rice Derby: Provincial Hybrid Techno Forum in Sta. Maria, Agoo, La Union. A public hybrid, M20 yields 6.4-11.7t/ha and matures in 111 days. The event, participated by hundreds of rice farmers, researchers, agricultural technicians, and local officials aim to show the hybrids’ crop stand, reaction to pest, and panicle formation. PhilRice and UPLB bred Mestiso 20 (M20).

Mestiso 20 (NSIC Rc 204H), a public hybrid rice bred by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and University of the Philippines in Los Banos, showed good performance in the technology demonstration farms in Region I. “The performance of M20 is at par with the hybrid rice varieties of private companies. I observed M20 didn’t need too much fertilizer,” Teresita Sugitan, a farmer in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte said during […]

  Farmers participate in Hybrid Rice Derby. More than 200 rice farmers, researchers, agricultural technicians, and local officials participated in the Hybrid Rice Derby: Provincial Techno Forum and Harvest Festival in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur on February 1. One of the 18 hybrid rice varieties showcased is Mestiso 20, a public hybrid rice that yields 6.4-11.7t/ha and matures in 111 days.

Let’s begin by imagining a Filipino father of three eating a riceless meal. He desperately realizes that rice has become so near yet so far, as though rice were only for the rich. His wife reiterates to him that their remaining money isn’t for rice alone. He finishes his fourth boiled banana. Meal over. At least, he saw his wife and kids enjoy the available “lugaw.” Now, back to reality. […]