Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) researchers have identified nine strains of naturally occurring fungi that could help farmers against fall armyworms (FAW), a new pest posing a threat to rice crops in Luzon. Evelyn M. Valdez, PhilRice crop protection expert, reported that the fungal organisms, known as entomopathogens, were found infecting FAW larvae in the wild. Early tests suggest they could serve as biological control agents (BCAs) or living organisms […]

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija – Amid rising labor costs and a dwindling number of farmworkers, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is providing a new solution to help farmers plant more efficiently and reduce production expenses. In a field demonstration held in Brgy. Bangad, PhilRice introduced a riding-type paddy seeder capable of planting up to 2.5ha per day while consuming just 1 L of gasoline in an hour. “This machine […]

A new mobile application developed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is helping researchers and industry professionals evaluate rice grain quality faster and more accurately. Traditionally, measuring the physical traits of rice grains such as length, width, and shape has been a slow and meticulous process. It took about 10 minutes just to assess 20 grains using a manual caliper. Now, a smartphone camera and a few taps on a […]

Filipino rice farmers are expected to benefit from more practical technologies as the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) intensifies efforts to develop and commercialize farm-ready innovations. The Institute’s Business Development Division’s Intellectual Property Management–Innovation and Technology Support Office (PhilRice BDD IPM-ITSO) recently received the Platinum Award from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) during the recent ITSO Presidents’ Summit in Parañaque City.  The award recognizes outstanding […]

To mark its 40th anniversary this November, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is promoting healthier and more mindful food choices through its Healthy@40 campaign, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for prioritizing health and nutrition in government plans. Outlined in Memorandum No. 2025-056 released in February, the new guidelines aim to reduce the risks of diet-related diseases such as hypertension and diabetes while promoting healthier eating habits […]

A science-led initiative to decode the genomes of 1,001 Philippine traditional rice varieties (TRVs) has been launched, backed by the Department of Agriculture’s National Rice Program (DA-NRP) and Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). The project called 1k1RG (1,001 PH Rice Genome Project) seeks to improve the productivity and climate resilience of heirloom rice while preserving traits valued for […]

Showing its commitment to Ilocano farmers, DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) Batac has achieved 100% delivery of certified inbred seeds under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for the 2024 wet season. Over 82,000 bags of free certified inbred seeds were distributed to almost 46,000 Ilocos Region farmers, ensuring they have access to high-quality seeds for better yield. PhilRice Batac also intensified its farmer support programs by disseminating rice production […]

To provide an environment-friendly alternative to controlling weeds in rice fields, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has partnered with Japan-based NEWGREEN Inc. for the field testing of a solar-powered robot called Aigamorobo.  Under a Memorandum of Agreement, NEWGREEN Inc. will provide two robot units for testing at PhilRice’s Central Experiment Station in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which will run from the incoming wet season to next year’s dry […]

The government has extended the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) up to 2031 under the amended Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act No. 12078), ensuring that its benefits continue to reach farmers nationwide. This decision follows six years since 2019 of RCEF providing rice farmers access to high-quality seeds, modern machinery, affordable credit, and appropriate training programs.  Based on the latest figures from the Rice Seed Monitoring System (RSMS), the RCEF […]

Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), a water-saving technology promoted by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), has helped Manny Valdez, a 50-year-old farmer from Mamburao, Oriental Mindoro, reduce his irrigation costs by 30% while increasing his yields. AWD uses observation wells to monitor water levels, allowing farmers to irrigate only when necessary, based on the cropping season. Since adopting AWD in 2021, Valdez has saved around P900 per cycle by […]