Researchers rallied behind Malusog Rice during the 36th Ugnay Palay Conference of the Philippine Rice Research Institute, stressing its potential to address nutrition and agricultural challenges by promoting healthier diets and improving rice yields. Conducted on Dec. 3-5, the conference featured the “Rise for Healthier Rice” exhibit, which highlighted Malusog Rice, a beta carotene-enriched variety, as a science-driven solution to micronutrient undernutrition. “We need Malusog Rice to provide consumers with […]

Amid a year marked by challenges, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. underscored the role of science and technology in sustaining the country’s rice sector during the 36th Ugnay Palay Conference of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Nueva Ecija, Dec. 3-5. Describing the year’s challenges as “perfect storm,” the secretary said that despite the high production costs, droughts, floods, and disruptions in the value chain that tested […]

The Philippines has saved an estimated P3.6 billion worth of uncooked rice, based on the current price of P43/kg, due to reduced rice wastage across the country.  Data from the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) from 2018-2019 showed that daily rice wastage per household averaged 53g of cooked rice. Using the 2020 population as a reference, DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) translated this to an […]

High school student leaders gained a deeper appreciation for agriculture and leadership at the recent pilot run of the BeRICEponsible Leadership Camp, held at the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice) RICEsParK in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The camp, themed “sParKing Future Rice Leaders,” aimed to inspire young “RICEponsible” leaders who are aware of the challenges faced by Filipino farmers and the importance of rice and rice science to […]

Integrating crop and animal production could unlock agricultural innovation and improve food security in the Philippines, agripreneur Dr. Manuel L. Logroño said during the 39th anniversary of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Nov. 6. Speaking at the 26th SRO Seminar Series, Logroño, president of Maize Life and Farming Sciences, underscored the benefits of linking crops and livestock in a sustainable value chain to address challenges in productivity and profitability. “We […]

Two studies on beta carotene-enriched Malusog Rice received top awards at the 2024 International Conference for Crop Science and Breeding hosted by the Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO) in partnership with the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP), Aug. 12-16. The studies highlighted the nutritional quality and consumer acceptance of the innovative rice variety designed to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently filed a Petition for Review on Certiorari with a request for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (Petition) before the Supreme Court, challenging the Court of Appeals’ (CA) decision in the Writ of Kalikasan case concerning its development of Golden Rice, locally branded as Malusog Rice. In its April 17, 2024 decision, which was later modified in its Aug. 15, 2024 decision, […]

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has commended Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for its role in shaping the future of Philippine agriculture through innovation as the institute marks its 39th anniversary on Nov. 5. “As we celebrate this 39-year milestone, I underscore PhilRice’s role in shaping the future of Philippine agriculture. You are not just improving rice production; you are improving lives,” the secretary, who started […]

The Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Program is ensuring the supply of certified inbred rice seeds in Region VI by training field workers. The recent three-day training implemented by DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Negros Occidental, covered essential practices, including field inspections, hands-on exercises, and in-depth discussions on the PalayCheck System. The Bureau of Plant Industry provided sessions on seed certification policies and quality assurance, ensuring participants are well-versed in […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the country’s lead agency in rice research and development, has strengthened its leadership with the appointment of three new members to its Board of Trustees (BOT). University of Southern Mindanao President, Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia, has been reappointed to the board, joined by newly sworn-in trustees, Francis F. Yenko and Atty. Ericson T. Velasquez. Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., who also […]