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 […]

Finally, a rice that is infused with vitamin A will soon be served on the tables of Filipino households. After almost two decades of painstaking research and regulatory review, Golden Rice has fully satisfied all biosafety regulatory requirements in the Philippines. The biosafety permit for commercial propagation issued in July 2021 was the final stage of regulatory approval, which means that Golden Rice may now be planted on farmer’s fields […]

Seed growers from Masbate and Leyte are thankful for their recent organizational management and leadership training, as this will help revive and strengthen their associations. Nonoy Dela Cruz, chairperson of Masbate Seed Growers’ Association (MSGA), said that the training, which was conducted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program, will help their association in rebuilding the once booming seed industry […]

In pursuit of a more gender-inclusive rice industry, research and development workers of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) are undergoing a Gender Analysis Training (GAT). The training, which runs from March until May, was designed to help staff analyze and understand how women and men and their social relations are affected and will be affected by the Institution’s operations, programs, projects, and activities. This is in adherence […]