PhilRice’s branch in Midsayap, North Cotabato was awarded as the 2015 Best Station, an annual internal competition among the seven branch stations of the Institute across the country. The 94-ha station was cited for a very informative farmers’ field day and forum in September 2015 which gathered over 700 farmers from southwestern Mindanao. It was also lauded for good governance. Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, acting branch director, believes that this […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Los Baños, Laguna featured rice-based farming systems that boost farmers’ income in their first quarterly seminar series, April 6. With the theme, Exploring the benefits of diversified rice-based farming for food security and increased income, the seminar gathered experts from PhilRice collaborators in the scientific community such as UP Los Baños (UPLB), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources […]

In broad-daylight January 2015, the weather was stunningly fine, the air was soothingly fresh, and the mountains exuded a breath-taking sight as he was transplanting his delicate, young rice seedlings on his field. A week after, however, dark clouds slowly shrouded the mountains, heavy rains poured, and strong winds battered his recovering plants. Typhoon Amang came and harassed his hope for a bountiful harvest. “Nalumural ako” (I felt devastated), farmer […]

The Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ), the second oldest organization of journalists in the country, had recognized the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) for its role in communicating agricultural developments and issues, March 29. In ceremonies co-sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, PAJ conferred the 2015 Binhi awards on two PhilRice communication initiatives. Gusto Namin Milyonaryo Kayo, a campaign that showcases progressive rice and rice-based farmers, won the 2015 Agricultural Information and […]

The Department of Agriculture’s information system based on satellite data and ground observations is helping the Philippines monitor rice production and prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters to rice areas such as typhoons and El Niño. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) project will present key achievements and activities on its first annual executive meeting, 31 March. High-level officials including Senator Cynthia Villar, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, DA undersecretaries, and […]

With the onslaught of El Niño and the summer season fast approaching, an expert advises farmers to take necessary precautions against heat stroke. Dr. Raul V. Destura, an internal medicine and infectious disease specialist, says that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks among farmers who work under the scorching heat of the sun. According to Destura, heat stroke, also known as sun stroke, is a severe […]

A PhilRice-IRRI study recommends that the country should focus on increasing rice yield, reducing production costs, and improving milling efficiency to boost PH’s rice competitiveness. The two institutions co-implemented the study titled Benchmarking the Philippine Rice Economy Relative to Major Rice-Producing Countries in Asia. Comparative studies were done in sites representing irrigated and intensively cultivated areas in six countries: Philippines (Nueva Ecija); China (Zheijang); India (Tamil Nadu); Indonesia (West Jave); […]

A PhilRice-IRRI study recommends the use of hybrid varieties, optimal use of fertilizers, training of more farmers on rice technologies, and educating future farmers as some of the ways to boost rice productivity in the country. These recommendations came from the study titled Benchmarking the Philippine Rice Economy Relative to Major Rice-Producing Countries in Asia. Co-implemented by PhilRice and IRRI, the study was presented in a research seminar on 3 […]