Filipinos love entertainment; noted in the world for singing and joking even when faced with adversaries. As the country fulfills its commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Philippine Rice Research Institute stirred awareness on Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203) through theater play. In an attempt to create conversation with farmers during its recent Lakbay Palay, it stimulated not only the emotions but also the natural curiosity of a typical […]

In Region II, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in San Mateo, Isabela banks on radio to reach farmers in rural areas, which the station uses to relay updated agricultural information to increase farmers’ productivity and profitability. Based on a PhilRice study, radio is included in the farmers’ top three sources of agricultural information next to local government units and fellow farmers. For six years, PhilRice Isabela sustains its School-On-the-Air […]

Glyza’s classmates, also TecVoc students in Baluan National Highschool, show off their school’s very own version of a rice hull carbonizer. Glyza Bandiola, 18, loves planting and farming ever since she was a kid.  But is this enough to sustain this interest? The youth from General Santos said that her teachers in school inspire her to take a career in agriculture. “[Our teachers’] passion is very evident in the way […]

Earthworms are more than just inhabitants of the ground. In rice fields, their abundance and behavior can tell if a soil is healthy or polluted. A recent PhilRice study showed that the response of a certain species of earthworm can reveal possible chemical contamination of irrigated rice areas due to excessive and continued butachlor herbicide application. Butachlor is an active ingredient of herbicides, commonly used by farmers to control weeds […]

Bountiful harvest starts with the right seeds. This is why farmers like Ricardo Martinez, 59, of Bacolor, Pampanga is sometimes overwhelmed with the choices that he has to take before planting time. For which is just the fitting variety to plant among the more than 300 rice varieties approved by the National Seed Industry Council (then Philippine Seed Board) since 1977? Choose right With almost 30 years of farming experience, […]

Brown rice for sale in Batac market. The Rayuray Farmers’ Cooperative of the RiceBIS Community in Batac City, Ilocos Norte secured a stall to sell its products, including brown rice at the city’s public market. Mayor Albert D. Chua leads the ribbon-cutting and opening of the One-Barangay-One-Product (OBOP) stall.  The OBOP stall will not only provide steady supply of brown rice, but will also help the Rayuray Farmers’ Cooperative increase […]

Farmers often get excited come harvest time. Unfortunately, some overlook that postproduction practices are as important as growing rice. A 2010 study by the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization shows that 16.47% of rice is lost on postproduction. When saved, experts said, the losses could have covered the amount of rice imported annually. Dealing with rice the right way 1. Harvest at the right time As rice varieties […]

April is special for the Philippine rice industry because it was proclaimed as the Panagyaman Festival Month, the national celebration of bountiful harvest. Such festive events could be very enticing to attend because of extravagance, colorful food, and the opportunity for income-generating activities. Amidst merriments, the Philippine festivals are more than what meets the eye. Here are some symbols and their meanings embedded in selected Philippine agricultural festivals such as […]

Certain species of rhizobacteria can modify the structure of rice roots, thereby increasing the plant’s ability to tolerate drought, a recent study showed. Drought stress is a limiting factor in rice production, especially in upland where farmers are dependent to rainfall as irrigation source. In their research, PhilRice scientists Roel Suralta, Jayvee Cruz, and their team, together with the students from Muñoz National High School, found that treating rice with […]

Summer is one of the best times that we can fuel our children’s dreams. A PhilRice visit may give them a kick-start in knowing more about their passion and what they want to achieve.