After three weeks of training, 29 agricultural extension workers from Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and Bulacan are now ready to train rice farmers in their areas on high-quality inbred rice production, farm mechanization, and pest and nutrient management.  Lea Abaoag, head of DA-PhilRice’s Technology Management and Services Division (TMSD), said that this strategy of combined training was pilot tested in this batch.  “In this training, we combined the topics on producing […]

MANGATAREM, PANGASINAN – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar commends farmers under the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Mangatarem Modern Farm Project who are top yielders during the recent Gawad Ani Achievement Day.  Raymundo Banaga achieved the highest yield of 8t/ha for the 2021 wet season, followed by Jun Espiritu with 6.2 t/ha, and Rolando Sevilla with 5.3 t/ha yield. Dar also congratulated the RiceBIS project team and the […]

About 70,000 farmers in the Ilocos Region will receive 114,000 bags of certified inbred rice seeds from March until June under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) – Seed Program. Farmers can select from national recommended varieties, which include NSIC Rc 216, 222, and 402 and regional recommended varieties such as NSIC Rc 160, 358, and 480.  Studies show that use of high-quality seeds can increase harvest by 10% or […]

To help the farmers increase crop yields amidst the skyrocketing price of fertilizer in the global market, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), is promoting the use of biofertilizers and biostimulants in combination with inorganic fertilizer. In a fertilizer derby, conducted by DA-PhilRice, results showed that the combinations of biofertilizers and/or biostimulants with inorganic fertilizers in the three to four seasons resulted in high […]

Farmers from seven local government units in Region VI found that Minus-one Element Technique (MOET), a nutrient diagnostic tool developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), is easy to use during a recent Farmers’ Field Day. MOET, which is used in determining the nutrient levels of rice soils, received good feedback from 130 rice growers that it is easy to apply and that they can sustain […]

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) beneficiaries in Caraga have increased their rice harvest by half-ton per hectare from 2019 to 2021 dry season (DS). Frenciso L. Varquez, RCEF-Branch Project Development Officer, reported that RCEF beneficiaries achieved a regional yield increase from 3.74t/ha to 4.21t/ha in the DS.  Meanwhile, almost a quarter increase was recorded from 3.64t/ha to 3.87t/ha in the wet season.  The harvest were gained from the 5,862 bags […]

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 […]