Rice farmers in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija will benefit from two newly enacted ordinances designed to help them adapt to drought conditions and incorporate digital tools into their farming practices. The ordinances aim to promote agriculture-based and institutional drought adaptation strategies through suitable extension efforts and optimize the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) by engaging the youth to assist rice farmers. With climate change increasing the frequency of droughts, […]

Local government units in Central Luzon are working on policies that will mainstream climate change adaptation in rice-farming communities to safeguard farmers’ livelihood. In a recent policy workshop led by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 8 LGUs proposed policies on implementing integrated pest management strategies, promoting climate-resilient crop varieties, and conserving watersheds. Calls for the provision of farming equipment in San Manuel, Tarlac; […]

The local government unit of Sta. Cruz, Zambales has recently enacted two ordinances that aim to help farmers save on planting and fertilizer costs.  The ordinances, focused on increased adoption of the direct-seeded rice (DSR) system and the integration of the balanced fertilization strategy (BFS) program or Abonong Swak are technologies recommended by the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that 20% of the […]

Government agencies at the forefront of climate change mitigation recently outlined their strategies at a policy forum held in Quezon City.  The forum, organized by the Policy Research and Advocacy Project of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), addressed the lack of provisions, fragmented funding, and low farmer compliance with agricultural emission reduction targets. Representatives from national agencies including the Department of Agriculture and provincial local government offices discussed the […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently launched ‘PalayCheck App’, a new smartphone application, designed to make PalayCheck – a rice integrated cropping system, more interactive and accessible for stakeholders.  The PalayCheck System recommends nine keychecks for crop management areas, including seed quality, land preparation, crop establishment, and management of nutrients, water, pests, harvest, and postharvest. The PalayCheck App serves as the mobile counterpart of this system with easy-to-use features for […]

The Central Experiment Station has passed its September ISO external audit and is expected to be re-certified with three ISO standards. These are: ISO 9001 Quality Management System; 14001 Environmental MS and 45001 Occupational Health and Safety MS, which are valid for a fresh 3-year period. The Worldwide Quality Assurance (WQA) Philippines conducted the external audit. All seven branch stations have also passed the same audit, securing ISO 9001 recertification. […]

The Licensing Executives Society International (LESI) has conferred on PhilRice the Innovation Award (research institution category) for its Multi-purpose Seeder (MP Seeder) during its 2023 annual meeting in Montreal, Canada. The award is a testament of the institute’s commitment in advancing innovation and licensing procedures as awardees were selected for their inclusive and impact-driven outputs. A machine for the dry direct seeding of rice, corn, and mungbean, the MP Seeder […]

Frontline educators from all branches of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) have imbibed the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) in a two-day training, July 25-26. The FBSE program, which is rooted in the 7 M’s of Filipino core values, aims to elevate the level of Filipino hospitality among frontliners and service sectors in the country. The training focused on techniques such as G.U.E.S.T and H.E.A.R.T. for delivering excellent service […]

To stay or stray? Social scientists based in the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently presented their significant findings on youth engagement and agriculture in the Philippines to the faculty and students of the University of the Philippines in Los Baños (UPLB). According to Teresa Joi P. de Leon, the paper’s main author, review of literature on the said topic from 2011 to 2021 showed that the chance is high […]

The library of  Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has been recognized as one of the champion partners of the Department of Science and Technology’s Science and Technology Information Institute’s STARBOOKS project.  The award was presented at a ceremony marking the 12th year of STARBOOKS, themed, “Pagbibigay Pugay sa mga Bida ng STARBOOKS!” Over the past year, the PhilRice Library has consistently contributed a wealth of science-based information resources to the […]