Farmers in Zamboanga Peninsula will soon have better access to quality rice seeds as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) signed a memorandum of agreement to build the Institute’s second satellite station in Mindanao, December 4. The first satellite station is based in Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon with 96-hectare rice seed production farm. “We are trying our best to […]

PhilRice launched the book, Communicating Climate Change in the Rice Sector, at the opening program of the 2017 National Conference of the Association of Development Communication Educators and Practitioners (ADCEP), December 1. “Rice agriculture is among the sectors most vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change. Yet, it appears that little is written about how to communicate climate change among rice stakeholders, especially the resource-poor farmers,” said Dr. Sailila […]

Over 2,800 farmers, agricultural extension workers, students, and other stakeholders learned new rice and rice-based farming technologies during the farmers’ field days conducted by five PhilRice branch stations. “Our farmers’ field days are one of our ways to bring the technologies to our farmers. They also serve as an opportunity for us to brief our farmers about our new programs that could help them become more competitive by adopting our […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) exhibited rice varieties that can help reduce agricultural damages due to climate change during the 13th National Biotechnology Week in Fishermall, Quezon City, Nov. 20-24. “Promoting these varieties is one of the things that we can do to help the farmers,” Dr. Roel R. Suralta, Crop Biotechnology Center (CBC) of the Department of Agriculture, said. The Global Climate Risk Index for 1996-2015 showed that […]

Start them young. The Rice Science Museum of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) recently opened its new exhibition, titled, Wonderful World of Rice, in an attempt to engage the youth as agriculture advocates.

Award-winning actor Piolo Pascual campaigns for the #RICEponsiblePlateChallenge, a social media contest that encourages consumers to eat the right amount of rice and its healthier forms. “We are launching this social media campaign to challenge everyone towards becoming RICEponsible. This is to help our farmers and our country, while promoting better health,” Pascual said. Pascual, a rice ambassador, said that rice should be consumed on appropriate quantity and through their […]

Ready SET rice! Celebrities, led by Piolo Pascual, urged the public to be more “rice-conscious” during the recent kick-off ceremonies of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) in Diliman, Quezon City. “Together with my fellow celebrities, I believe that being Riceponsible (word play between rice and responsibility) is not only good for our health, but also for our farmers and our country. Let’s SET rice! Save rice, Eat healthy, and […]

PhilRice’s FutureRice Farm has been awarded with a good agricultural practices (GAP) certification by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards at the DA-RFO 3, November 3. According to Engr. Angel S. Tulabut, Region III Gap Inspector, Central Luzon currently has the most number of GAP certified farms in the Philippines. It has 83 GAP-certified farms and 71 farms with pending GAP approval. Of the 83 certified farms, 61 are […]

The Philippine Rice Research (PhilRice) kicked off the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) with a celebration of its 32nd founding anniversary with the theme Charting the course of a rice-secure Philippines, November 6-7. The country’s lead agency in rice research for development honored more than 100 of its rice workers for their external and peer recognitions, scientific productivity, scholastic, and loyalty awards during the Dangal ng PhilRice Awarding Ceremonies. “Keeping […]

PhilRice Agusan branch director shared some of his reflections and experiences in building a branch station during the annual SRO seminar series as part of PhilRice’s 32nd anniversary celebration, November 6. As guest speaker of the said event, branch director Abner T. Montecalvo who served PhilRice since 1995 said, “Government service is sometimes frustrating, but it is truly rewarding when you realize that it is a rare privilege to serve […]