Calbayog City, Samar – Farmers here expressed optimism that the rising cost of farm inputs, particularly fertilizer, will be cushioned by the recommendations promoted in the “Abonong Swak (Swak sa budget. Swak sa Palay)” campaign. Efren Velasco, farmer in Brgy. Malahog, said that balanced fertilization, which he learned from the campaign launched here on June 2, is promising as studies show that it can reduce fertilizer cost by P2,000-P4,000. Velasco […]

Dr. Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos, nutritionist and supervising science research specialist at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), was conferred the Scientist I rank by the Scientific Career Council of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Science and Technology, April 22. Dr. Abilgos-Ramos, through her research works, has developed complementary food and beverage from rice and locally-available, nutrient-dense, and low-cost crops designed for malnourished older infants, pre-school […]

Tagudin, Ilocos Sur – Fertilizer recommendations based on Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) analysis is expected to help farmers here reduce their fertilizer expenses.  The recommendations, according to Bethzaida M. Catudan, focal person of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, are generated for provinces covered by the program to complement the certified inbred seeds distributed to the farmers. Fernando Borje of Brgy. Bitalag shared […]

The Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center in the Philippines turned over 13 greenhouses to farmers’ associations in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, May 18. Three greenhouses were awarded to the Buklod ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Batitang (BNMB) farmers’ association and four to Ugat-Uhay Farmers’ Association (UUFA). This is in addition to the six greenhouses already turned over to them. “These greenhouses will help raise farmers’ income [with the crops they […]

Information on the Philippine rice industry situation and the characteristics of the Filipino rice farmers are now publicly accessible on the Rice Data Analytics (RiceLytics) website developed by DA-PhilRice. “RiceLytics is a public rice data analytics that aims to aid decision and policy-making bodies at different government levels,” Nehemiah L. Caballong, ICT specialist and project proponent, said. The website presents data on rice area, production, yield per hectare, characteristics of […]

Sri Lankan rice research and extension officers, and subject matter specialists are being trained online on the PalayCheck System for irrigated lowland rice. PalayCheckis an integrated crop management system for transplanted and direct wet-seeded irrigated lowland rice farming. It promotes localization of relevant technologies and crop management options through collaborative and experiential group learning with farmers to improve productivity and profitability in an environment-friendly manner. In partnership with the Department […]

Following the approval of the commercial propagation of Golden Rice, the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice) is now working on the necessary steps such as seed production towards its deployment. On a visit to DA-PhilRice Central Experiment Station in the  Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, May 6, Sec. William Dar received an overview of ongoing Golden Rice seed production activities and administered a ceremonial […]

The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urges farmers to follow the recommended seeding rate in rice production for better yields and reduced production cost. Seeding rate refers to the amount of rice seeds planted per hectare. DA-PhilRice recommends 40kg per hectare for transplanted rice while 60-80kg per hectare is promoted for direct-seeded. “When this is followed, rice plants grow healthier because it can receive sufficient sunlight […]

Farmers whose irrigation is at the tail end of the National Irrigation Administration’s water supply system may benefit from a water management technique promoted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice). Fredierick Saludez, DA-PhilRice agriculturist, said that the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology, with the aid of an observation well, can help reduce irrigation water consumption without lowering rice yield. Observation wells are used […]

ROSARIO, LA UNION – Farmer-beneficiaries of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program are happy with the Binhi e-Padala system, a digitally-aided seed distribution mechanism established for faster and easier seed distribution. In this system, select farmers are informed through a text message about their schedule for receiving seeds, their claim codes, and details about their seed allocation. Jayson Albay, one of the farmer-beneficiaries, said it is convenient for farmers […]