Two rice farmers from opposite sides—the northern and central part of the country—are proving that learning new techniques can transform not just their harvests but their lives. Fredric B. de Guzman, 45, from Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro, used to rely on farming practices handed down through generations. Like many farmers, he believed that crowding more seeds in a small seedbed meant better yields. But that changed in 2024, when he […]

Upang makapagbigay ng makakalikasan at mas ligtas na solusyon sa pamamahala  ng damo sa palayan, sinimulan ng Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) ang field testing ng isang robotic technology mula Japan na kung tawagin ay Aigamorobo.  Ginagaya  ng Aigamorobo na gawa ng Green Company  ang natural na pagkilos ng aigamo o mga pato na  na ginagamit sa Japan sa pagsugpo ng damo.   Bilang solar-powered robot, otomatiko itong nag-iikot sa palayan […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Training and Extension Services (TES) Program is scaling up training for farmers across the country, promising broader access to modern, science-backed rice practices and recommendations. The RCEF-TES will roll out more capacity-building initiatives this year including three Rice Specialists Training Courses, 20 Farmer Field Schools, 30 advanced training batches, and 27 customized sessions. Since 2019, over 5,000 field workers and technicians have been trained with […]

Kapag laging lubog sa tubig ang palayan, nawawalan ng oxygen ang lupa, kaya nabubuo at nailalabas  ang methane gas sa himpapawid. Ang methane ay isang uri ng gas na nagpapainit sa mundo na nagdudulot ng global warming o climate change. Sa proyektong sinimulan ng Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) katuwang ang Sagri Company Limited ng Japan at National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-UPRIIS) Division 1 Nueva Ecija, […]

Mas maraming magsasakang Pilipino ang inaasahang makikinabang sa Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) hanggang 2031, matapos amyendahan ang Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203) sa bisa ng Republic Act 12078. Ang programang ito, na nagsimula noong Setyembre 2019, ay magpapatuloy upang palawigin ang suporta para sa sektor ng pagsasaka ng palay. Ayon kay Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., ito ay magtitiyak ng mas matibay na suporta para sa mga magsasaka. Sa […]

As rising production costs threaten the profitability of rice farming, experts at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) are pushing for mechanized direct seeding as a cost-efficient alternative to manual broadcasting. “Using the recommended 40kg per hectare seeding rate with mechanization not only reduces costs but also improves efficiency,” said Leylani M. Juliano, a chief science research specialist at PhilRice.  She said that this method minimizes drudgery in […]

As the planting season approaches, rice farmers in Tarlac are gearing up to receive a boost from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, which is set to distribute over 80,000 sacks of certified inbred seeds across the province. The province recently received 400 sacks of RCEF certified seeds distributed to more than 150 farmers from Victoria, Gerona, and Tarlac City. This distribution marks the program’s third consecutive season […]

Farmers in Tulunan, North Cotabato are reaping the benefits of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, which has improved the town’s practice of certified inbred seed leading to increased yield.  Farmer Roel P. Lapating attested to the positive changes brought about by the RCEF Seed Program.  “Because of the RCEF certified inbred seeds, our harvest has soared to 4.4-6t/ha. As long as we have access to resources for […]

A local rice farmers’ group in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, has secured a business deal with a non-government organization (NGO) that provides disaster relief, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). In an agreement, St. Vincent Parish Multipurpose Cooperative (SVPMPC) will supply 6,000 bags (25kg/bag) of well-milled rice to the People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (PDRRN). The coop has already delivered […]

Farmers in San Agustin, Zambales expressed interest in adopting a walk-behind mechanical transplanter shown in a recent techno demo conducted by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. The farm machine not only reduces labor expenses, typically requiring a team of 2-3 laborers, but it also enables farmers to plant one hectare per day. Data show that this shift reduced the expenses of hiring 13 laborers at P400 each […]