Two PhilRice cookbooks were recognized among the best cookbooks in the world in the 2018 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in Yantai, China, May 26-27. The Mushroom Feast: A Collection of Filipino Mushroom Recipes, which features commonly cultivated mushrooms on rice-based farms in the Philippines, won 2nd place in the Truffles and Mushrooms category along with entries from France (1st place) and Sweden (3rd place). The cookbook was edited by […]

In preparation for the wet season when pests and diseases are usually prevalent, local farmer technicians (LFTs) from Pangasinan completed a week-long specialized course at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station, June 4-8. Ev P. Angeles, training coordinator of PhilRice’s Technology Management and Services Division, said LFTs are trained to help their fellow farmers in identifying, assessing, and managing major pests and diseases in rice. She said LFTs are model farmers […]

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) launched the new number of its Text Center to make rice information more accessible to farmers. Farmers can now reach the PhilRice Text Center (PTC) through 0917-111-7423. The Text Center agents are available to answer queries about rice seeds and modern farming practices from Monday-Friday, 9 am-5pm. A digital platform, PTC provides daily consultation services to rice farmers around the country through call and SMS. Farm […]

About 20 participants from the world’s second largest and second most-populous continent met the experts at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to know about quality seed production, June 1. Originating from Burkina, Cote d” Ivore, Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Togo, they are trainees of the Quality Breeder and Foundation Seed course of International Rice Research Institute. They toured around PhilRice laboratories and seed marketing area in Science City of Muñoz, […]

Farmers in the upland can raise their harvest through bacteria that was found to increase plant growth rate and yield. Researchers, led by scientist Jayvee A. Cruz of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), discovered that actinomycete (Streptomyces mutabilis), a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), showed promising results. Based on Cruz’s study, actinomycete, an aerobic bacterium suitable under upland conditions, can increase root dry weight, number of tillers, and root depth of […]

Dr. Norvie L. Manigbas, Scientist I and Chief Science Research Specialist of the Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division, is the recipient of the 2018 Regional Gawad Saka Award for Outstanding Agricultural Scientist in Central Luzon. He is known for his research in breeding rice varieties at PhilRice and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). His team led the development of the first released direct-wet seeded rice variety, NSIC Rc298, which is […]

  The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will soon release a first of its kind, locally made two-in-one machine that can be used for land preparation and crop establishment. What’s the difference? Dr. Arnold S. Juliano, head of PhilRice Rice Engineering and Mechanization Division, said that the power tiller is a multi-purpose machine that can be used as a rotavator, transplanter, seeder, and a multi-seeder for those involved in multi-cropping. […]

PhilRice, in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), is developing healthier rice varieties like Golden Rice, to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and provide nutritious rice for Filipinos. According to Dr. Reynante Ordonio, Healthier Rice Project leader at PhilRice, Golden Rice has potential in improving human nutrition. “This new type of rice contains beta-carotene in its grain, which when ingested is converted to vitamin A depending on our […]

The Philippine and Papua New Guinea (PNG) governments are collaborating to beef up their agriculture industry particularly their rice production system. A joint declaration to effect this partnership was signed by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol and PNG Agriculture Minister Benny Allen with PH President Rodrigo Duterte and PNG Prime Minister Peter O’neill serving as witnesses at the Malacañang Palace, May 6. According to Piñol, the declaration stipulates that both countries […]

The Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has technologies in place to help lessen the impact of TRAIN law to the rice farmers. Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, PhilRice executive director, said yield-enhancing technologies such as machines, water management, and varieties are easily available for the rice growers to offset the P0.50 increase in the production cost of pump-dependent farmers. TRAIN or Tax Reform for Acceleration and […]