As they say, prevention is better than cure. Researchers at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are studying the impact of the emergence of the world’s worst weed in irrigated lowland rice production. Cyperus rotundus L. or purple nutsedge also locally called as mutha, sudsud, and barsanga, which is previously known to grow only in the upland, is now quite prevalent in the lowland. As mutha is considered the worst weed […]

Rice constitutes a huge portion of a regular diet of every Filipino. On average, a Filipino consumes 114 kilograms of rice every year. Rice, however, does not have much nutrients. It contains largely carbohydrates. To make it healthier and to help address the pressing malnutrition problem in the country, Golden Rice is being developed. According to Dr. Reynante Ordonio, PhilRice Healthier Rice Project lead, Golden Rice is a new type […]

One fine afternoon, while German Pangilinan was resting on his hammock after a whole day of farm work, he decided to send a message in the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) to know more about NSIC Rc 438. Who would have thought that this simple act would save him from totally losing all his investments in his 3-ha rice area? “I was introduced to new varieties when my farm became a […]

Early in 2015 the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration officially announced the onslaught of El Niño in the Philippines that caused drastic decline in crop production. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that rice and corn alone respectively fell by 818,000 and 251,800 mt that year compared in 2014. Losses were also recorded in sugarcane, coffee, tobacco, onion, cabbage, and rubber. It was one of the strongest […]

Filipinos’ love for rice is unlimited. Despite the need to include other high value crops in our health, Filipino families prioritize rice in the food expenses.  For families living below the poverty line, having rice on the table is enough as they cannot afford a diverse diet to meet their nutritional needs due to rising food prices. “Rice intake was lowest among the richest households and highest among poor households,” […]

The public should learn more about Vitamin A deficiency (VAD), know its causes and effects, and understand the process behind possible ways on how to prevent it. According to the Department of Health, the annual observance of the Sight-Saving Month targets to warn the public about avoidable blindness and inform them on how to properly take care of their eyes especially through proper nutrition. VAD is one of the leading […]

Mestizo 1 (PSB Rc72H) lingers on Dumon Mabborang’s mind – irreplaceable and undeniably better than the others. Mabborang, 63, of Buan West, Solana, Cagayan first planted it in 2003. A technician from DA convinced him to try the variety. Until now, he is still an avid fan of Mestizo 1. Mestizo 1 still Mabborang asserts the variety has better eating quality than most inbreds. “When cooked, it is soft, aromatic, […]