In the upland areas of Masinloc, Zambales, a farm is measured by a balitang – a box of rice paddy with a size of more or less 6,000 square meters. Mario Ermita, 59, owns five balitang on his farm and spends P15, 000 on labor for transplanting. Ermita has cut down his expenses when he was introduced to a technology for transplanting through the project titled Accelerating the development and […]

Elizabeth Arceta Sol from Leganes, Iloilo believes that all farmers are capable of becoming a “rice achiever.” After all, she became one. A retired marketing cooperative secretary, Sol received the 2015 Rice Achiever Award, a commendation given by the Department of Agriculture to farmers who make it big in rice farming. Her story started when she was 28 years old. Her husband, Jerry, convinced her to retire and stay at […]

Thinking of a new year’s resolution? We suggest “healthy eating” as you welcome another year in your life. If you are an office worker, stay-at-home parent, or someone who lives a sedentary lifestyle, these are five principles of healthy eating you should keep in mind:   Eat a complete meal always.  Filipinos typically eat rice and their vegetable and/or meat viands together, leaving out fruits for dessert. Not the best […]

The holiday season in the Philippines is filled with endless reunions, weddings, and karaoke sessions with friends and families. It is the time of the year again of binge-eating and pairing our staple food with lechon, hamon, or another carb such as pasta. Whether you come from a far-flung province, practice a different religion, or speak a dying language, you cannot escape from rice this holiday season. Be riceponsible during […]

A shift in the Filipino’s interest is gleaned from Nueva Ecija teachers encouraging their elementary students to visit museums to complement school learning. “We want our students to be better persons when they grow up so we are exposing them to other educational institutions that will help shape their perceptions about themselves and the world,” Dr. Genalyn Tangonan, Principal III of Maligaya Elementary School in Muñoz, said. Organized by the […]

In a sector that rarely gets the spotlight, educators will have to take the center stage all-equipped with pedagogical strategies to lure the youth into agriculture. Now that the K to 12 program is gaining momentum, our teachers who handle agriculture-related subjects may have to level up in nurturing the future workforce that will propel the agriculture sector. A recent industry summit organized by the Department of Education gathered over […]

Next to being singers, Filipinos are reputed the world over as frequent eaters. Aside from the three square meals, we do have morning and afternoon snacks, and often, another one for midnight. All these foods have loads of carbohydrates, fats, and what have you. We are less than being health-conscious. The 2013 National Nutrition Survey notes that 3 of every 10 adult Filipinos are obese and overweight— mostly among ladies. […]

written by Sonny P. Pasiona   “Why should we offer half rice? We barely mind rice wastage. What matters more is we get more sales with full rice.” In a rice-loving country, these words are what some food establishments would argue why they refuse to offer half-cup of rice in their menus. But in the tuna capital of the Philippines, the local government is turning tables to promote a responsible […]

Two development communication practitioners wrote their book review on Youth & Agriculture: The Infomediary Campaign in the Philippines launched at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in Los Baños, Laguna, July 13. In a matter of 3-4 hr, the new book Youth & Agriculture: The Infomediary Campaign in the Philippines can help readers realize that young people, when empowered, can help create impacts in […]

A well-prepared land gives farmers a head start for the entire planting season. When it comes to tilling the soil, they must start with the basics. Experts at the Philippines Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) say that proper land preparation provides a soil condition favorable for plant growth. It promotes good physical, chemical, and biological environment for better and efficient crop growth and development. It also facilitates good management of water, […]