The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program recently delivered 2 million bags of certified inbred seeds in 950 municipalities in the country, hitting 85% of the program’s target. Dr. Flordeliza Bordey, deputy executive director of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), said that as of June 21, PhilRice had turned over 2,125,952 bags of certified inbred seeds (20kg/bag) in 55 provinces. “From this delivery, the local government units […]

Adopters of PalayCheck, a dynamic rice crop management system, are gaining significant yield increase by following the nine farm recommendations of the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice). Julita Velete, a farmer from Leganes, Iloilo, said her yield increased to 230cav/ha during the last cropping season from 80-100cav/ha. “I used to be contented with yield not more than 100cav/ha. When I tried the KeyChecks in the […]

The PalayCheck System booklet, one of the reading materials being distributed by RCEF-RSEP for farm technicians, discusses principal areas of crop management such as seed quality, land preparation, crop establishment, and the respective management of nutrients, water, pests, harvest, and postharvest. About 400,000 farmers in 57 provinces across the country had received assistance from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP) through reading materials on modern rice farming. […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice) in Los Baños turns over 1,420 free seedlings to the Gawad Kalinga Los Baños Ville residents, May 27. As part of DA’s “Plant, Plant, Plant” program, the seedlings were provided to help ensure food sufficiency during emergency situations amid COVID-19. Recipients are expected to plant the seedlings in their yard as a sustainable source of food under the society’s new […]

Provincial and local chief executives in 55 provinces and in almost 1,000 municipalities are spearheading the immediate turn-over of certified inbred seeds to the rice farmers with the onset of the wet season. “In these trying times, we’ve seen the importance of farmers [in ensuring enough rice for our province]. This is why we’re extending to them all our support the best way we can, such as providing them access […]

After three years of service as acting executive director of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Dr. Sailila E. Abdula is assigned assistant secretary for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). He will serve in concurrent capacity as Director I of PhilRice Midsayap effective Sept. 16. As part of his new duties, Agriculture Sec. Dr. William Dar, said that the multi-awarded rice breeder from North Cotabato will harmonize rice programs […]

The Department of Agriculture (DA) urges individual farmers to enlist in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and join organizations to access agriculture-related programs and services including the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). Under the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203), eligible RCEF beneficiaries include farmers, farmworkers, and their dependents who are listed in the RSBSA –an electronic database containing basic information of farmers and fisherfolks, and members […]

Dr. William Dar, acting Department of Agriculture secretary, had recognized the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) as a lead agency in research during his recent visit at the Institute’s Central Experiment Station in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. “I’ve [already said this] and I will always mention that the number 1 research institute in the country, comparing any research institute, is PhilRice. [This is not to flatter you. I […]

Dr. William D. Dar, acting agriculture secretary, stressed the inclusion of the private sector and the local government units in empowering farmers’ groups and for agricultural development to “stand the test of time.” “We are sowing the seed; we are laying down a strong foundation of the kind of agriculture that we want to be. [To do this], we want to have more engagement with the farmers’ associations and cooperatives. […]

Hybrid rice farmers and seed growers can now quickly assess seed purity with the addition of a new trait in Mestiso 20 (M20), a public hybrid rice variety. To assess seed purity as early as seedling stage, PhilRice researchers have introduced purple coloration on the leaf sheaths of the male parents of M20 while keeping the other traits intact. As hybrids are generated through outcrossing of two different rice lines, […]