Twenty Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RSTC) and 96 Farmer Field School (FFS) participants have completed their training on the latest farm technologies. The trainees from Regions 10, 11, and 13 are now specialists in the production of high-quality inbred rice, seed certification, and farm mechanization. RSTC participants work in the DA-Regional Field Office, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Municipal Agriculture Office, Farmers’ Cooperatives and Associations, and accredited farm schools of […]

Aimed at making the public hybrid rice seed system sustainable, a community-organized hybrid rice farming and marketing setup will soon take root in Apayao. A preparatory season-long training on F1 Hybrid Rice Commercialization participated in by 30 inbred and hybrid rice farmers started on September 21 in Bacsay, Luna. “Through the training, we hope to tap and engage capable farmers in hybrid rice cultivation and seed production. Then we link […]

The Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) – Batac has conducted a farm walk in Bugasi, Banna, Ilocos Norte that showcased high-yielding varieties and cost-reducing technologies. Employing PalayCheck, an integrated crop management system, the varieties shown were NSIC Rc 480, Rc 506, Rc 508, Rc 510, and Rc 512. It also used the mechanical transplanter and multi-purpose seeder for crop establishment. Most of the farmers preferred NSIC Rc 510 (Tubigan 43) […]

Be RICEponsibly healthy. The public is encouraged to consume healthier rice produced by Filipino farmers in the month-long celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November. The celebration, which kicks off on Nov. 8, raises awareness on the importance of healthier forms of rice that are locally produced such as pigmented and brown rice with the theme “Be RICEponsibly healthy.” Golden Rice is also being introduced. Food scientist […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute will convene the rice sector to discuss the new challenges and opportunities in rice research for development (R4D) in the 33rd Ugnay Palay: National Rice R4D e-conference, Nov. 4-5. Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director, said that the conference will focus on the agriculture sector adapting strategies that emphasize food security amidst the pandemic. “The pandemic is pushing us to think and act […]

DA-PhilRice celebrates its 36th year of serving the Filipino rice farmers across the nation on Nov. 3-5. “Through the years, DA-PhilRice continuously strives to make rice production not only more efficient, but also dependable and sustainable in meeting the growing demands of millions of Filipino rice consumers,” Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director, said. He added that through the Institute’s research for development (R4D) efforts, it continues to implement […]

Her Excellency Dr. Titanilla Toth, Hungary Ambassador to the Philippines, and her fellow delegates visited DA-PhilRice today to prepare for the future partnership between the two countries. The agreement, which is set to be sealed between the DA-PhilRice and the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in November, aims to broaden knowledge on agricultural development through the conduct of joint research initiatives particularly in breeding and educational programs. […]

This year’s observance of National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) in November iterates the importance of eating healthy and nutritious rice. “The kind of rice we consume is crucial to our health. This is especially true to us because rice is the staple food of Filipinos,” Dr. Marissa V. Romero, food scientist and co-lead of the Healthier Rice Project of DA-PhilRice, said. Attuned to the NRAM theme “Be RICEponsibly healthy”, the […]

Stakeholders favor “Golden Rice” over ordinary white rice in terms of its health benefits during the former’s ceremonial tasting, held recently in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. “It smells and tastes the same as ordinary rice, except it is colored yellow. But I will choose ‘Golden Rice’ over white rice, because it has more health benefits. Kung sana noong bata pa ako ay meron na nito, sana mas malusog pa ako,” said Agriculture […]

The local government of Buenavista, Quezon will showcase to their rice growers the potential of hybrid rice seed production in their locality in a field day to be conducted today, Oct. 15. Alvin Ray U. Rivera, town’s vice mayor, announced that it is possible that farmers could grow their own seeds of Mestiso 20 or M20, a variety developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and International […]