Rice growers are optimistic about the PalaySikatan initiative under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, which aims to modernize rice farming and reduce production costs.  Recent activities in Casiguran, Aurora and Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte highlighted the program’s potential benefits and the enthusiasm of local farmers. In Casiguran, Jaime E. Bautista, chair of the Esteves Farmers’ Association (EFA), expressed confidence in the initiative’s goals, which include increasing rice […]

Isandra Pernitez, a former social worker from Lanao del Norte, has made a career shift to agriculture, becoming a farm trainer under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP).  With a background in assisting typhoon victims through various non-governmental organizations, Pernitez has now channeled her skills into empowering rice farmers and promoting agricultural development. Pernitez discovered her passion for rice farming in 2022 while working with […]

After nearly 11 years at sea, Engracio G. Tupaz, 57, has transitioned to rice farming, achieving a net income of over PhP100,000 a hectare from his 2.3-ha farm.  Returning to the Philippines in 2012, Tupaz’s agricultural journey has not only sustained his livelihood but also funded his three children’s college education. Initially lacking expertise in rice farming, Tupaz joined the PalaySikatan technology demonstration under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services (RCEF RESP) Program has enhanced the farming skills of young and new farmers in Palawan and Camarines Sur. In Palawan, 30-year-old farmer Marc Joseph D. Gabriel from Narra increased his yield after participating in the RCEF training of trainers on pest and nutrient management.  Before the training, Gabriel’s 1.5-ha farm produced 3t/ha of NSIC Rc 218. With RCEF interventions, his yield increased […]

Sugpon, Ilocos Sur — The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program has catalyzed a significant 13.5% increase in rice yield in this town,  highlighted during the wet season’s kick-off ceremony, where 150 indigenous farmers received free certified inbred seeds. Municipal Agriculturist Victoria S. Sumagca lauded the contributions of RCEF. “Because of RCEF, Sugpon has achieved a 13.5% increase in our production yield, from an average yield of 3.93 metric […]

As the planting season approaches, rice farmers in Tarlac are gearing up to receive a boost from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, which is set to distribute over 80,000 sacks of certified inbred seeds across the province. The province recently received 400 sacks of RCEF certified seeds distributed to more than 150 farmers from Victoria, Gerona, and Tarlac City. This distribution marks the program’s third consecutive season […]

To prepare the rice farmers for the wet season, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program recently distributed over 1,400 sacks of certified inbred seeds in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur. This distribution is part of the province’s broader allocation of more than 80,000 sacks. Spearheaded by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Midsayap, a program briefing was recently conducted alongside the kick-off ceremony of seed distribution to familiarize […]

The scars of the COVID 19 pandemic still itch in the memories of the farmer-members of the St. Vincent Parish Multipurpose Cooperative in Dupax del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya; yet, these marks only make them stronger and the farming cadence more progressive in rhythm. As they persevere in the post-pandemic recovery of the rice industry, the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) catalyzes the sector’s […]

Making machinery available and accessible to more farmers is a big challenge, but thanks to our partner manufacturers, it became possible. The two-decade partners PhilRice and Guimba, Nueva Ecija-based Val Agri signed a licensing agreement in 2020 to manufacture and commercialize the machines for land preparation and post-harvest, such as microtiller, laboy tiller, reversible flatbed dryer, and seed cleaner. Microtiller is a lightweight equipment used for tilling small-sized paddies, while […]

A Masbate official has announced that an 8t/ha-rice yield was harvested in one of their farms during the wet season following recommendations from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. “Our usual harvest is only 2.5t/ha. Thanks to the RCEF PalaySikatan techno demo in Mobo, we witnessed that 8t/ha yield is possible,” Provincial Agriculturist Graciana Tagnipez said.  PalaySikatan Farmer Cooperator Ruby Briones attributed her abundant harvest to the use […]