In time for the 2025 Nutrition Month celebration, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Negros Occidental has marked its first harvest of high-zinc rice through a ceremonial “Unang Ani” on July 3 at the station’s experimental fields. “With Nutrition Month putting the spotlight on healthy food, our high-zinc rice shows that the solution to hidden hunger can begin right at our dining table,” said Ommal H. Abdulkadil, PhilRice Negros […]

The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) are gearing up for the nationwide rollout of the Rice Seed Information System (RSIS)—a digital platform that will transform how rice seeds are tracked, certified, stored, and distributed in the country. RSIS is designed to connect all registered seed growers, producers, certification bodies, and warehouses through a centralized platform, enabling real-time monitoring of seed production, […]

To strengthen rice clusters nationwide, a specialized training course has equipped implementers of the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) and regional agricultural staff with key skills in managing and supporting farmer cooperatives. Held on May 20–22 in partnership with the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), the workshop aimed to boost the capacity of implementers to guide farmers’ cooperatives and associations toward long-term sustainability. “This training ensures our implementers are better informed […]

DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is urging farmers to intensify field monitoring as four major rice pests are expected to infest rice areas until the end of June. PhilRice urged farmers in Central Luzon, Western Visayas, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Bicol Region to closely monitor their fields for signs of rodents, rice stemborers, brown planthoppers, and rice bugs. If left unmanaged, these pests could lead to significant yield […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program continues to provide support to rice farmers in Southern Leyte, providing access to certified inbred seeds, farm machinery, and training aimed at improving efficiency and productivity. In Brgy. Catmon, St. Bernard, farmer Catalino M. Lacerna, 58, said the assistance he received under the program helped reduce labor requirements during land preparation and planting. “The program introduced us to machines like the walk-behind […]

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 […]