Filipinos will soon have access to significant dietary advantages in addressing the prevalence of zinc deficiency as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has begun scaling up the production of two zinc-rich rice varieties. Intended to provide seeds for expanding production across the Visayas, PhilRice in Murcia, Negros Occidental, planted NSIC Rc 460 and NSIC Rc 648, which contain more zinc than the ordinary rice. Deficiency in micronutrients such as […]

National agencies and local governments are intensifying efforts to improve rice productivity and farmer income through season-long, science-based training. In Ligao City, 30 farmers from multiple barangays began a Farmer Field School led by the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and the city government. The school promotes the PalayCheck System—a set of best practices covering seeds, land prep, crop establishment, nutrients, water, pests, and […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Training and Extension Services (TES) Program is scaling up training for farmers across the country, promising broader access to modern, science-backed rice practices and recommendations. The RCEF-TES will roll out more capacity-building initiatives this year including three Rice Specialists Training Courses, 20 Farmer Field Schools, 30 advanced training batches, and 27 customized sessions. Since 2019, over 5,000 field workers and technicians have been trained with […]

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 […]