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 […]

More restaurants, malls, grocery stores, hotels, and other institutional buyers are finding it handy to source out rice and other food items from local farmer groups. Aside from the patriotic pressure of buying local, there is wisdom in doing so because structurally, these farmer groups have the potential of providing both the quality and quantity demanded. This budding story of the Rayuray Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (RFAC) in Batac City, Ilocos […]

Green chili and pechay for Sinigang, eggplant for torta, and lettuce for your samgyupsal are just some of the vegetables you can literally grow even in a small living space. Yes, space and resources are not limitations in having your own harvest. How? Reuse plastic containers Try container gardening! Reuse empty plastic bottles, baskets, tetra juice packs, cans, and basins as containers in cultivating edible plants, instead of growing directly […]

In a study by Dr. David Richter and his colleagues, first-time and experienced mothers and fathers suffer at least six years of sleep deprivation after the mother gives birth. These advice will help the struggling mothers balance their duties at home and at work.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration recently announced the beginning of the rainy season. For rice farmers, this marked another period of tireless labor to produce the country’s main staple. While some get overwhelmed, Nueva Ecija farmer Julian Soteo, 64, never frets. He makes sure that his decisions are right, especially in nutrient management. Farmers’ ally Fertilizers are essential as they help nourish the crop and produce good […]