LIGAO CITY, ALBAY ― The PhilRice branch in Bicol is training farmers on agripreneurship in partnership with the local government of this city. The training program that started in January this year is in support of the Institute’s Rural Transformation Movement (RTM) to develop and promote rice-based enterprises. Key components of the program are record-keeping and marketing. Around 30 participants were taught on how to record their expenses such as […]

The PhilRice Text Center (PTC) posted a 47.3% increase in client registration nationwide for the first quarter of 2016. Data shows that from 18,924 registered clients in March 2015, it jumped to 27,883 as of March 31, 2016. PTC is a digital platform that provides daily consultation services to rice farmers through call and short messaging services (SMS). It also caters to students, extension workers, researchers, and other stakeholders who […]

Better extension service can be expected from 67 AgRiDOCs (Agricultural Development Officers of the Community) who completed a 4-month training at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), April 21. Titled Enabling the AgRiDOC: A New Breed of Agricultural Development and Extension Officers of the Community, the training prepared the AgRiDOCs to help raise the bar of extension services to develop sustainable, competitive, and resilient farming communities. The AgRiDOC training is […]

The Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) commended agricultural engineers and researchers of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) for their studies and outstanding contribution in agriculture during the 66th PSAE Annual Convention at Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, Ilocos Norte, April 24-30. PhilRice Scientist, Dr. Ricardo F. Orge won the Most Outstanding Agricultural Engineer or Maramba Award, the highest recognition given during the event. The same award was […]

Recognizing the urgency to tackle impacts of climate change on rice production, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) conducted the Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and rice production training, April 22-26. Forty-seven high school teachers from across the country were trained to teach crop production in the next academic year. The key aim of the training was to integrate lessons on climate-smart rice agriculture in the curriculum of the participating schools. The […]

Brown rice was sold for a historically low P37/kg during its launching in Bohol, April 20. The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA) recently forged ties to push for the consumption of brown rice by making it more accessible and affordable to the general public. Launched at the Island City Mall Activity Center in Tagbilaran City, the BROWN4good Project will ensure […]

Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – In an unusual time when farmers recently formed human barricades to inform government that they are experiencing hunger owing to extreme weather conditions, the Rice Science Museum features adaptive measures on climate change in its new exhibit. Titled Transformations in Progress, the 4th exhibit launched April 21, displays dioramas on emerging yet easy to adopt farm practices that can help farmers cope with unfavorable situations. The […]

PhilRice’s branch in Midsayap, North Cotabato was awarded as the 2015 Best Station, an annual internal competition among the seven branch stations of the Institute across the country. The 94-ha station was cited for a very informative farmers’ field day and forum in September 2015 which gathered over 700 farmers from southwestern Mindanao. It was also lauded for good governance. Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, acting branch director, believes that this […]

The Department of Agriculture (DA) recognized the top rice producing provinces and municipalities during the 2015 Agri-Pinoy Rice Achievers Awards (APRAA) at the Resorts World Manila, April 20. DA Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said the combined efforts of hardworking farmers, local government units (LGUs), and DA is key in achieving more than18M metric tons annual rice yield in the past five years. He also reported that the Philippines is acclaimed […]

Experts at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) urge farmers not to burn rice straws, locally known as dayami, for environmental and economic reasons. Burning of rice straws, generally practiced during the harvest season, causes air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide. If continually done, it will decrease soil’s nitrogen, 25% of phosphorus, 20% of potassium, and 5-60% of sulfur. The practice also damages […]