While other Bukidnon farmers had hesitated to plant because of the El Niño phenomenon advisory early this year, Leonilo Arcadio, 49, President of Cabanglasan Farmers Small Water Impounding System Association, Inc. (CAFSWISA) and his fellow members adjusted their planting calendar to assure that they would still have enough water supply should drought hex the province. It may seem a gamble at first glance, but the SWISA acknowledges the harsh reality […]

A pioneering movement is taking shape, driving a transformation in traditional rice farming practices in Leyte. One of the drivers of change is Engr. Fermina Aling, a 69-year-old visionary farmer, and owner of JAMPOL Integrated Farm School, who has embraced the theory of digitalization to propel her community toward a future of agricultural prosperity. With the help of innovative applications, Fermina and her fellow farmers are unlocking the potential of […]

Banna, Ilocos Norte —  Rice farmers here under the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Program of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are set to receive free certified inbred seeds and access to advanced farming technologies from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The RCEF Seed Program, in collaboration with the RiceBIS program, will establish a 6-hectare technology demonstration site in the upcoming 2024 dry season, showcasing RCEF inbred varieties and […]

Lopez Juanito P. Tagtong, also known as Sir Bong, has trained over 1,000 farmers in Zamboanga Sibugay. After embarking on an educational journey across various cities, the 42-year-old settled in Ipil with his sister. Despite being the only Muslim in the community, Bong aimed to promote peace and contribute to farming. Bong and his sister acquired 5 hectares of land, which they transformed into a farm school named Salam Natures […]

El Niño may have brought the threat of dry spells and water scarcity, but the farmers’ resilience has risen to the occasion. Rather than succumbing to adversity, they have embraced the challenge as an opportunity to learn new techniques and innovative practices to combat the phenomenon’s effects while getting additional income. By practicing a water-saving technology called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), farmers in Gabaldon, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP) is intensifying its efforts to enhance the skills of trainers from learning sites and farm schools in the Ilocos Region.  Nonilon I. Martin, RCEF extension focal, said they are expanding their outreach to include more trainers, aiming to strengthen their capacity to assist farmers in addressing field challenges and adopting mechanized operations in rice production. “We aim to encourage […]

A local rice farmers’ group in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, has secured a business deal with a non-government organization (NGO) that provides disaster relief, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). In an agreement, St. Vincent Parish Multipurpose Cooperative (SVPMPC) will supply 6,000 bags (25kg/bag) of well-milled rice to the People’s Disaster Risk Reduction Network, Inc. (PDRRN). The coop has already delivered […]

Rice farmers in Libungan, Cotabato recently adopted the Binhi e-Padala System, a digital platform designed to enhance the distribution of certified seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program.  The Binhi e-Padala System operates by sending eligible beneficiaries a unique claim code via text message or QR code. The farmers then present this code when collecting their seeds. This approach promises to streamline the seed distribution process, ensuring […]

Farmers in Lanao del Norte who had previously abandoned rice farming due to significant yield losses are now looking forward to improved harvests, thanks to the efforts of a graduate from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Service Program (RCEF RESP). Queenie R. Notario, owner of a farm school in Bacolod, has begun planning outreach to these farmers.  “My mission is to restore their faith in rice farming. I […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Program has produced 575 new rice specialists through the Rice Specialists Training Course (RSTC) from 2019-2023 to help the rice farmers compete in the international rice market. Lea dR. Abaoag, training component lead of the RCEF Rice Extension Services Program at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), said the RSTC program is a comprehensive course designed to develop trainer-leaders. From the original RSTC curriculum, new […]