Crude bioethanol distiller that is powered by rice husk was acclaimed grand prize winner during the recent Alfredo M. Yao Intellectual Property Awards (AMY IP Awards) held at the Manila Hotel. Invented by engineers at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the machine uses rice husk as alternative fuel to produce crude bioethanol (lambanog or vodka) from fermented feedstock. Engr. Alexis Belonio, PhilRice senior research fellow and main inventor, said […]

To enhance the competitiveness of rice farmers and the rice industry in Caraga, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Agusan branch station showcased rice farming technologies suitable for the region. During the station’s Lakbay Palay, Agusan featured location specific and high-yielding varieties such as NSIC Rc 222, Rc 300, Rc 216, and Rc 160 to 495 farmers and stakeholders. These varieties can yield 5.6 to 11t/ha. Yield-enhancing nutrient and water management technologies were also […]

Farmers from different provinces in the country differ in terms of the quantities of inputs used, technologies adopted, and management skills employed. This results in the varying yield and production cost among farmers. To address this, economists from the Socioeconomics Division of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) shared ways on how to narrow these gaps to help farmers increase their productivity and income based on the findings from 33 […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute advances its research and development operations in Agusan and Batac through recently completed new facilities. Abner T. Montecalvo, PhilRice Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services and Finance, said the facilities are expected to enhance the station’s capacity in producing high quality seeds for the farmers and seed growers. “The new facilities will strengthen research functions of the branch stations, and ultimately address rice production concerns […]

Rice has always been a major food staple in the Philippines. Both producers and consumers consider a slight change in rice price as their major concern. In light of the emerging issues in rice price, agriculture workers from different regions in the country gathered together in a seminar-workshop to understand the rice value chain, and craft localized agriculture interventions and strategies for their respective regions. Participants crafted strategies that will […]

Researches on identifying germplasm with good traits and breeding hybrids through biotech won in the recent 2nd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research in Higher Education in Zamboanga City. Collective Efforts and Interdisciplinary Approach to Rice (Oryzasativa L.) Conservation and Use in the Philippines was adjudged best abstract and best paper among 10 entries. Xavier Greg I. Caguiat, lead researcher based at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), said that the study […]

Farmers’ group in Negros Occidental trained by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are now selling their own-produced brown rice in The District-Ayala Mall in Talisay City. “We are happy that our local farmers now bring their goods in this type of market place. Linking their products with the supermarkets and other business development providers is one of the objectives of the Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) Program,” said Anileen O. […]

To increase youth engagement in agriculture, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Midsayap boosts its partnership with the academe sector in Soccsksargen. In a recent Lakbay Palay with the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan and Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), a forum was conducted to 11 public schools in Cotabato and Sarangani. USM main campus in Kabacan, North Cotabato posted an average of 29% decline on BS Agriculture […]

Villagers in this first class municipality of  Esperanza, Agusan del Sur are initiating plans to lessen pest occurrences that had been the long-running problem in the farming communities. Sharen T. Rivas, science research specialist from Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Agusan del Norte, said a campaign dubbed as Barangay IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Patrol Campaign will be launched in October. IPM entails “combining the best available tools and techniques […]

Seed quality and varietal information tops all queries in a farmer’s mind. Every cropping season, new and veteran rice farmers ask, “What variety should I plant now?” Added to this are their concerns on yield and suitability under local condition. The need for this information motivated ICT specialists Nehemiah Caballong and Paul Austian Alday of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to develop the Binhing Palay app with the National Cooperative […]