In Barangay Malapay, Pio Duran, Albay, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, implemented by the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), has transformed the life of Alvin B. Tumala, a rice farmer and person with disability (PWD). At 49, Tumala embodies resilience and hope, proving that with the right support, farmers can rise above challenges and thrive. Before the RCEF Seed Program reached their community, Tumala and […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program continues to provide support to rice farmers in Southern Leyte, providing access to certified inbred seeds, farm machinery, and training aimed at improving efficiency and productivity. In Brgy. Catmon, St. Bernard, farmer Catalino M. Lacerna, 58, said the assistance he received under the program helped reduce labor requirements during land preparation and planting. “The program introduced us to machines like the walk-behind […]

Farmers in Bicol and Eastern Visayas can anticipate a more efficient delivery of certified inbred seeds from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) in the upcoming 2025 dry season attributed to a recent series of workshops led by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).  The workshops, held in 12 provinces, prepared municipal agriculturists, rice coordinators, and agricultural officers with the necessary tools and knowledge to streamline seed distribution processes. They […]

A Masbate official has announced that an 8t/ha-rice yield was harvested in one of their farms during the wet season following recommendations from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. “Our usual harvest is only 2.5t/ha. Thanks to the RCEF PalaySikatan techno demo in Mobo, we witnessed that 8t/ha yield is possible,” Provincial Agriculturist Graciana Tagnipez said.  PalaySikatan Farmer Cooperator Ruby Briones attributed her abundant harvest to the use […]

Mapanique, San Pascual, Masbate – This dry season 2022, the PhilRice Bicol techno-demo team has established an additional 6-ha varietal technology demonstration site under the RCEF – Seed Program. This aims to help small-scale farmers in Burias Island become competitive and breeze into modern rice production through the use of high-yielding inbred varieties and new farming technologies and machinery. In partnership with the LGU of San Pascual and its municipal […]