To help farmers, especially in the aftermath of three strong typhoons that struck major rice-producing provinces in the country, the Department of Agriculture (DA) urges local government units (LGUs) to heighten support for the rice growers. “We believe LGU executives are in the best position to assess the needs of our rice farmers,” DA Sec. William D. Dar said in a statement delivered by his representative Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan in […]

Farmer-partners in the technology demonstrations under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program promote the use of farm machines to minimize rice production costs. Following farm recommendations in the demo sites dubbed as Palay Sikatan, farmers Eduardo Cabago and Jonathan de Guia shared the benefits of using machines on crop establishment. The said farmers, who offered their farms in Mabitac, Laguna to showcase farm machines and recommended rice varieties, said […]

As farmers recover from the onslaught of recent typhoons, researchers from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urge rice farmers to plant high-quality inbred seeds of a recommended variety as this helps increase yield by 10-15%. Fredierick Saludez, DA-PhilRice agriculturist said that the use of high-quality inbred seeds results in high germination rate, lower seeding rate, more vigorous seedlings, and more efficient crop establishment. “Crops from high-quality seeds […]

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program is benefitting more than 100,000 rice farmers in Region 2 and CAR who were affected by agricultural damages brought about by recent typhoons. Andres L. Dela Cruz Jr., RCEF coordinator in Isabela, said that seed delivery and distribution in Region 2 and CAR resumed on Nov. 16 to immediately supply the RCEF areas with more than 120,000 bags of seeds. Municipalities and cities, especially […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) economists encourage farmers to sell good quality dry palay for more income amidst the lower farmgate price of palay. Alice Briones-Mataia of PhilRice Socioeconomics Division explained that farmers will earn an average of P1.50 per kilogram depending on quality when they sell dry palay. Palay price is largely dictated by factors, such as quality (level of moisture content and variety), seasonality, supply disturbances, and import […]

More trainers are now expected to help Filipino farmers following the participants’ completion of rice production training funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP). In their recent graduation at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, trainees said they have learned the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice and […]

The journey to Golden Rice is one step closer to completion, with the formal opening of the 60-day public comment period for its proposed commercial propagation. This follows the regulatory application submitted by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) to the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) in October 2020. Public participation is a critical component of the Philippine biosafety regulatory process and […]

Responding to the impact of the succeeding typhoons in 2020 last quarter, DA-PhilRice launched donation drives for Bicol and Cagayan. DA-PhilRice provided cash assistance to PhilRice Bicol staff totaling P200,000 brought about by two devastating typhoons that hit the region late last year. In-kind relief assistance that included rice, grocery items, clothes, and personal essentials, among others, were also distributed in Isabela communities. About 100 volunteers and donors supported the […]

Baseline data gathering and developing mental health-related activities and programs for DA-PhilRice Central Experiment Station, branch, and satellite personnel rolled out in November last year. “The Institute’s step was in response to the Civil Service Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 04, series 2020 known as Mental Health Program in the Public Sector and in compliance to Republic Act 11036 (National Mental Health Law),” Executive Director John C. de Leon said. According […]

Agriculture specialists and farmers acknowledged the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for the training programs and technologies extended to its stakeholders. On the Institute’s 35th anniversary, Nov. 5, Louderick Jimena, agricultural extension worker in Occidental Mindoro said PhilRice training contributed to his development as extensionist educating farmers in their area. “PhilRice gave me the much-needed confidence in making decisions on the field. Through PhilRice, I have a scientific […]