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 […]

Before, there was boredom. Now, pure excitement fills Daniel V. Pineda as he embarks on a journey of continuous learning and growth after participating in the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) training. A “lost son” in agriculture, Daniel, who is from Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija, only pursued agriculture to fulfill his mother’s dream. His mother was employed in the municipal agriculture office in Gabaldon while his father was a farmer. Upon […]

Farmers trying out a walk-behind mechanical transplanter for the first time are amazed by its derived savings and efficiency.  Jobani King Zacarias, a farmer-cooperator from Infanta, Quezon, who recently tried the machine, shared that he typically spends P4,000 on labor to manually transplant half a hectare of crops. However, with the mechanical transplanter, he cut his expenses nearly in half, spending only P2,600.  “It is also highly efficient. Before, I […]

Grace Pastrana, a 25-year-old agricultural technologist from the Occidental Mindoro provincial agriculture office, is now a proud farmer-partner in improving the rice growers’ sustainable practices. Having completed the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Specialist Training Course (RCEF RSTC), Grace now serves as a valuable resource speaker, facilitator, and advocate for ecological farming practices in her province. The RCEF RSTC is a comprehensive training program that aims to develop rice specialists […]

Following a devastating accident that not only cost him his arm but also tragically claimed his son’s life, Zaldy C. Salvacion of La Fortuna, Veruela, Agusan del Sur, showcased an inspiring display of resilience. He returned to rice farming, becoming a beacon of strength for his community.  Through his unwavering determination and with the support of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, he not only led his community […]

Decision-making is made easy as rice-related information is right at our fingertips. Thanks to ICT and digital technologies! Information and communications technology (ICT) and digital technologies pave the way for anticipatory decision-making and action for our policymakers, researchers, development workers, and rice farmers. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM), Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS), and Oryza Germplasm Management System (GEMS) are just among the decision-making tools available. With the […]

Members of the RiceBIS Bayambang Agriculture Cooperative (RBAC) in Pangasinan are expanding their reach with their rice-based products being showcased at the World Food Expo in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Aug. 2-5.  To prepare for this event, this Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) community  were already awake like crepuscular animals active at dawn and dusk to transport their products outside the region.  RBAC Chair Conrado Lapurga shared that their journey […]

Nightmares of drought are still vivid in the mind of Nestor Mendoza. At midnight, they are wide awake, watching their fellow farmers from the downstream of the M’lang and Malasila Rivers Irrigation System (MMRIS) march up to avail of their right to farm water, even in darkness. “When rain is elusive, water supply is not enough for those who are at the tail end of the irrigation,” this member from […]

Drought has always been an intense foe of Faustino Medina, a rice farmer from Barangay Bantug, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. This enemy always left him with low yield – a deep, painful wound for his pockets and their household table. His story represents most Philippine farming communities whose main staple and source of livelihood is rice. During an El Niño phenomenon, rice production is most challenging as it […]