There is no single way to effectively manage pests in the rice field, an expert from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) said with the recent infestation of brown planthoppers (BPH) in 600 ha of rice farms in Bulacan. “Many farmers look for that one solution to end pest problems in their rice fields, but there is none. We need to combine several practices in managing pests in […]

To prepare the rice research and development workers in the country for the possible Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestation, the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) tapped the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) in conducting an intensive training among rice technical workers in the country. Tools developed by CABI were introduced in a recent 3-day online session by CABI’s pest experts from Malaysia, India, UK, and […]

MURCIA, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – Farmer-cooperators here have achieved 1-ton increase in a techno demo farm showcased by Rice Seed System project in Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). Rey Canugon, one of the four farmer-cooperators, said he used high-quality seeds of NSIC Rc 222 and practiced the PalayCheck System, an integrated crop management system for rice. Released in 2010, Rc 222 yields an average of 6.1t/ha and maximum of […]

BURAYOC, PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE – Rice farmers here recently tried the mechanical transplanter showcased in a techno demo facilitated by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program. Used for rice establishment, the mechanical transplanter has helped farmers in RCEF techno demo sites dubbed as PalaySikatan. Farmers who used the farm machine for one season said that it reduced transplanting cost by almost 50%. The cooperators reported that they used to […]

LA UNION – Rice growers in two municipalities in La Union expressed readiness this wet cropping season with the assistance from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) programs. Alejandro Eduardo Baladad, one of the beneficiaries in Naguilian, said he is hopeful that the RCEF seeds will help him increase yield despite the incoming season’s threat on pest infestations. Under the RCEF-Seed Program, farmers in Region I received free certified seeds […]

Healthier rice including Golden Rice are good complementary sources of nutrition. Dr Marissa Romero, food scientist based in the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), said rice comprises almost 40% of the Filipino daily diet. With the prominence of rice in the Filipino diet, its potential role in improving nutrition and health is a dynamic area of research at DA-PhilRice as part of its mandate to develop safe and nutritious rice […]

More farmers in 42 provinces are expected to cultivate high-quality rice seeds as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program appropriated higher allocation of certified seeds (CS) this wet season. The allocation increase in the new target provinces is mainly due to more focused interventions of the Department of Agriculture. Under its Integrated Rice Program initiative, the department aims to provide strategic support and projects based on the needs of […]

Information on genetic makeup of Philippine rice varieties can now be accessed by breeders and researchers from different countries through the Global Information System (GLIS) portal of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). The ITPGRFA aims to facilitate the exchange of information on scientific, technical, and environmental matters related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture based on existing information systems through GLIS. […]

Researchers from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) iterate that 40kg of high-quality rice seeds are sufficient to plant a 1-ha field. Studies show that most farmers in the country use 80-160kg of rice seeds per hectare thinking that sowing more seeds results in high yield. “For inbred rice, we  recommend 20-40kg only for transplanted (TPR) and 60-80kg  for direct wet seeded (DWSR),” Marvin Manalang, senior science research […]

Two scientists of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) were recognized for their significant contributions in enriching the body of knowledge on rice science. Dr. Reynante L. Ordonio, Scientist I, was distinguished as the 2021 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) in the field of Agricultural Science by the National Academy of Science and Technology. Ordonio, 40, joined PhilRice in 2004 as a researcher who specializes in molecular breeding. His works […]