The 2024 Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Annual Review cum PhilRice RCEF Seed and Extension General Assembly gathered representatives of implementing agencies, Offices of Senator Cynthia Villar and Congressman Wilfrido Mark Enverga, key officials from the Department of Agriculture, and Institute’s RCEF operations personnel at the CBC Plenary Hall on Feb. 4-7.  As the extended RCEF marks its 6th and final year of Phase 1 implementation, the review examined its […]

This year’s National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM), which is being celebrated every November, was themed “Be RICEponsible”. NRAM gravitated anew on responsible rice consumption with activities aimed at reducing rice wastage and supporting farmers. The “Half-Cup, Full-Heart” challenge urged Filipinos dining out not to buy more than they can finish. Branch stations breath life to the theme through various activities: Midsayap hosted “Roots and Shoots,” involving staff and students in […]

The Sangguniang Bayan of Santa, Ilocos Sur approved a resolution for the adoption of the Minus-One-Element Technique (MOET)-generated fertilizer recommendations on June 26, which was passed by the Committee on Agriculture. According to Hon. Eugene B. Borje, the resolution will guide the local government unit of Santa, especially the municipal agriculture office in identifying initiatives and activities to promote the MOET-generated fertilizer recommendations to their rice farmers.  “The recommendations will […]

The RCEF Seed Program’s PalaySikatan 2.0 project has boosted mechanized rice planting this wet season, showcasing riding-type and walk-behind transplanters. Michael Johnson P. Mabalo of the San Quintin Integrated Farmers Association (SQIFA) noted that initial resistance from older farmers decrease after seeing the demonstrations, leading to increased adoption. Similarly, Elmer B. Vidad of the Bangar Irrigators Farmers Association (BIFA) reported successful member adoption following the demonstrations. SQIFA farmer-adopters rose from […]

The DA-Crop Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC) and DA-PhilRice participated in the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), July 10-11. The event gravitated on the theme, “Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine Food System to Address Equity, Consumer Health, and Environmental Issues.” It showcased a range of Research for Development thrusts, emerging and ongoing projects from different government agencies and state universities […]

PhilRice Midsayap, Negros, and Agusan renewed their commitment to excellence, an institutional value that has been at the center of their operations, during their 36th, 21st, and 34th anniversaries, respectively. With the theme, “36 years of committed R4DE service for better rice community,” PhilRice Midsayap loaded  their celebration with a series of activities to highlight stakeholders’ contributions to the station’s initiatives and operations, July 12. In 2023, the station delivered […]

Following the presentation of guidelines, the “Scaling of Palayamanan Technologies” project is now in its initial phase, with PhilRice Bicol, in collaboration with the DA – Regional Field Office V (DA-RFO V), beginning to validate potential sites, identify suitable locations and ensure that they meet the necessary criteria for the successful establishment of six pilot sites across the Bicol region. Palayamanan, as part of the Scaling of Rice Technologies under […]

PhilRice Los Baños, in collaboration with the municipal agriculture office of Lemery and the DA-Lipa City, is establishing a Palayamanan site in Noong Casto, Lemery, Batangas.  Farmers in the area had been inappropriately planting NSIC Rc 216, a variety for irrigated lowlands, despite the high sulfur or salinity levels in their soils. The farmers rely on rainwater for irrigation, which has dragged down their yields to less than 3t/ha. To […]

To ensure relevant, timely, and science-based technological promotions, DA-PhilRice is set to release an updated version of the PalayCheck System for irrigated lowland rice by 2025. The revision is spearheaded by the Technology Management and Services Division (TMSD) through the conduct of extensive consultations and workshops with researchers, technical staff, and trainers from various fields across DA-PhilRice’s CES and branch stations. This initiative improves the overall effectiveness of the platform […]

Dr. John C. de Leon took his oath for a second term as the PhilRice Executive Director on July 29, 2024. Initially appointed by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in 2019, Dr. de Leon  has been instrumental in aligning the Institute’s initiatives with the PhilRice Strategic Plan and with the Department of Agriculture’s overarching objectives. His leadership is pivotal in achieving record-breaking palay production outputs in both 2021 and 2023, […]