The Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division (RCFSD) of Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) is developing an automated system that determines rice grain size and shape through digital image processing. The method will help breeders measure grain size, one of the factors that reveal its yielding capacity. Going digital Measuring grain size and shape manually is time-consuming, laborious, and straining to the eyes. Early results of a research […]
Categories: Features
While we move our seeds, we also move knowledge as well as people especially the farmers. To complement the seed distribution pursuits being waged across the country, PhilRice, together with ATI, PHilMech, and TESDA, is also multiplying its efforts to implement the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) extension initiatives such as the conduct of the Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC). Lea dR. Abaoag, head of the Technology Management and Services […]
When rice farmers ‘cried’ at the unacceptable palay prices in 2019, Ronald Aceret of Bacarra, Ilocos Norte ‘shed tears’ with them. He figured it wasn’t the best season in his long-lived farming career. “The price was low, and so was my harvest. Deduct the fertilizers, pesticides, labor, and other farm expenses, there was almost nothing left for me to count. I was just grateful and consoled that we still had […]
Rogel Comesario’s farm in Manaoag, Pangasinan was the center of attention on March 5, 2020 as the first Rice Competitiveness Enhancement (RCEF) produce was ceremonially harvested. High-ranking national and regional government personalities graced the ceremony, engendering a virtual barrio-fiesta mood. The roaring combine harvester blended well with the output of the drum-and-lyre corps, and the loud speakers further intensified the noisy but pleasing rendition. It was musical democracy at its […]
Photo by: Donna Cris P. Corpuz Our breeders scored high in 2019 as the National Seed Industry Council released 10 of their new varieties. NSIC 2019 Rc 522H (Mestiso 103), is a hybrid variety released on March 11, 2019 – a product of PhilRice-UP Los Baños collaboration. The other new varieties are four rainfed (NSIC 2019 Rc 568, Rc 572, Rc 574, and Rc 578); one saline (Rc 558); and […]
Like Batman and Robin, who are partners in fighting crimes, Tong and Sammy are dynamic duo in combatting the overwhelming struggles in their chosen way of life. “Farming may be hard, but this is our way. Together with my son, we can improve the life we chose,” Tong Buday is hopeful as he and his son adopt new farming practices after Tong’s 20 years of farming. For Tong, a Maguindanaon, […]
With the strict order of staying at home, many Filipinos relied on relief goods for daily food. But dishes from these relief goods can be made healthier through the availability of vegetables around the house. As access to food may be limited during pandemic, malnutrition becomes more prevalent; doubling the burden in already undernourished conditions in rural and urban areas. The State of the World’s Children: Children, Food, and Nutrition […]
The afternoon heat is unusually bearable as Dr. Ricardo Orge and I walk through a path that leads to a portion of the farm. The road divides the sprawling rice field to the left and irrigation canal to the right. As we reach the site, we went straight to the oven housed in a shed. “This is where they pasteurize the mushroom fruiting bags,” Dr. Orge reveals. But the oven […]
While some farmers may look at the world of marketing as unfamiliar ground, farmers of Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac’s Hardinero Agriculture Cooperative found that they can tame the trade game and be champions so long as they persevere. Through their participation in the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) TienDA Farmers and Fisherfolks’ Outlet, they have proven that the best merchants in agriculture are the producers themselves. No traders Launched in 2017, TienDA […]
