The DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed and Extension programs is currently developing location-specific fertilizer recommendations to help local farmers maximize their resources amid high fertilizer costs. “Farmers’ resources have now become more limited because of high fertilizer costs. Meanwhile, current practices show that if farmers continue to apply fertilizers that are not appropriate to crop needs, their resources are wasted, and yields […]

Claiming subsidies from the government is a pleasure; but waiting in a long queue is a pressure. This is why through digital technology, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program has reduced farmers’ “agony” in seed distribution areas. Documentation reports during the program’s first year of implementation show farmers waiting in long lines before finally getting their bags of certified inbred rice seeds. With Binhi e-Padala, a digital voucher system […]

Three years after its maiden implementation, more than 10 million bags of certified seeds were distributed to about one million farmers from the 42 target provinces under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Estimates also show that rice areas planted with RCEF seeds reach 1.5 million hectares yearly. As of July, 1.57 million bags were distributed to more than 630,000 farmers in 731 cities and municipalities, with an estimated area […]

Farmer Orlando B. Cruz, 58, from Guiguinto, Bulacan, harvested 9.6t/ha and earned PhP84,800 by planting NSIC Rc 436 he received from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). His farm also served as one of the PalaySikatan technology demonstration sites of the municipality. As the program continuously educates rice farmers on modern technologies, Mang Orlando seized this […]

With the importance of high-quality seed and its accessibility in achieving rice sufficiency, Department of Agriculture (DA) recently launched an information system that will hasten rice seed-related transactions and processes. The system, developed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), include production planning, field data collection, documentation, and geotagging; monitoring, inventory, and distribution of seed reserve; seed source tracing; application and approval of accreditation and […]

Major challenges, thematic areas, agenda and program thrusts, implementing/scaling partners, outcomes and impacts were identified through workshop groups composed of around 100 staff members from branch stations, divisions, offices, and units during the July 20-22 StratPlan activity.

What is right E-A-T of fertilizer application? Right E-A-T refers to the correct nutrient Element,Amount, and Timing of fertilizer application. It is theessence of PalayCheck’s Key Check 5, which is about nu-trient management, and is embedded in the integratednutrient management framework (Figure 1). Key Check5 targets sufficient nutrients during the tillering, earlypanicle initiation (EPI), and flowering stages. For far-mers to know the right element and amount of fertilizerto apply, Key […]

The DA-PhilRice Management Committee (ManCom) during its 22nd regular meeting on July 7 tackled the Masagana Rice Programs, which has two strands: 150 and 200. Masagana 150 is expected to yield 7.5t of inbred rice per hectare, while Masagana 200 aims at 10t of hybrid rice a hectare. The outgoing DA leadership drafted the Masagana proposals in response to the marching orders of the President/DA Secretary Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. […]

Ayon sa mga eksperto na sa pagtatanim ng hybrid rice, halos nasa P100,000 ang karaniwang kita bawat ektarya sa hybrid rice. Sa pagtatanim ng hybrid rice tulad ng Mestizo 1 at Mestiso 20, siguraduhing bago at tama ang dami ng binhing itatanim. Sapat na ang 15-18 kilong binhing hybrid kada ektarya. Payo ng mga eksperto, ibabad ang binhi nang 12-24 oras sa umaagos na may malinis na tubig. Kung ibababad […]

Ayon sa Presidential Decree No. 491, ang buwan ng Hulyo ay naideklara bilang buwan ng nutrisyon. Sa temang “New normal na nutrisyon, sama-samang gawan ng solusyon”, ipinapayong sama-sama nating palakasin ang ating mga katawan lalo na ngayong may COVID-19 virus pa rin. Upang maging malakas ang katawan, mainam na kumain ng mga masusustansiyang pagkain at palagiang mag-ehersisyo, pahayag ni Evelyn H. Bandonill, Supervising Science Research Specialist ng PhilRice. Paalala ni […]