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 […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Los Baños, Laguna featured rice-based farming systems that boost farmers’ income in their first quarterly seminar series, April 6. With the theme, Exploring the benefits of diversified rice-based farming for food security and increased income, the seminar gathered experts from PhilRice collaborators in the scientific community such as UP Los Baños (UPLB), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources […]

The Department of Agriculture’s information system based on satellite data and ground observations is helping the Philippines monitor rice production and prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters such as typhoons and El Niño to rice areas. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) project highlighted the key features and importance of this innovation during its first annual executive meeting at the Bay View Park Hotel in Manila, March 31. […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhiRice) recommends the use of drought-tolerant varieties and technologies to help farmers cope with the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. “Rice normally grows at temperatures between 20-35°C. Reports have indicated that temperatures above 35°C is critical for rice growth especially during the reproductive stage. At present, temperature may reach up to 38 to 40°C,” said Dr. Norvie Manigbas, PhilRice plant breeder. According to studies, rice yield […]

In the light of the El Niño phenomenon, farmers learned climate change-ready technologies in rice production during the recently concluded Lakbay-Palay at the PhilRice’s Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija, March 31 and April 1. Through field tours and open forum, rice experts taught farmers how to cope with climate change by using climate-smart technologies such as the alternate wetting and drying (AWD) technology, ecological engineering, and rice-based agribiosystems. AWD, […]

The Philippine Agricultural Journalists (PAJ), the second oldest organization of journalists in the country, had recognized the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) for its role in communicating agricultural developments and issues, March 29. In ceremonies co-sponsored by San Miguel Corporation, PAJ conferred the 2015 Binhi awards on two PhilRice communication initiatives. Gusto Namin Milyonaryo Kayo, a campaign that showcases progressive rice and rice-based farmers, won the 2015 Agricultural Information and […]

The Department of Agriculture’s information system based on satellite data and ground observations is helping the Philippines monitor rice production and prepare for and mitigate the effects of disasters to rice areas such as typhoons and El Niño. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) project will present key achievements and activities on its first annual executive meeting, 31 March. High-level officials including Senator Cynthia Villar, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, DA undersecretaries, and […]

Two PhilRice researchers were recognized in the 2016 Regional Gawad Saka Award, an annual search by the Department of Agriculture (DA) for outstanding achievers in agriculture and fisheries. Dr. Roel R. Suralta, Scientist I and Crop Biotechnology Center head, received the Outstanding Agricultural Scientist Award for Central Luzon. Meanwhile, Dr. Riza Abilgos-Ramos, Rice Chemistry and Food Science Division head, received the Outstanding Agricultural Researcher Award for Central Luzon. Suralta, 42, […]

The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) approved 14 new inbred and dry-seeded varieties in 2015 developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). Among the newly-released varieties, four inbreds (NSIC Rc394, Rc396, Rc402, and Rc414) and five dry- seeded (NSIC Rc416, Rc422, Rc424, Rc426, and Rc430) were developed by PhilRice. NSIC Rc394 (Tubigan 32) is an early-maturing […]