The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. And in celebration of His coming, lights flood around the world, even in rice farming communities in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.  In Brgy. Maligaya, the tower of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) sends off a sense of happiness as lighting the structure gathered the rice farming households, researchers, and the general public on Dec. 3. […]

As PhilRice turns 33 this November, some may say that PhilRice is a government agency, productive in terms of rice research for development (R4D). Others may claim that it’s an Institute housing high caliber researchers and staff consistently receiving recognitions and accolades over the years. Still others may point to its being an instrument in the country’s aim to achieve rice security and rice self-sufficiency. While these may contribute to […]

The June 11, 2018 issue of Time Magazine captivated the world’s attention after it featured nearly a thousand drones to form its cover design. Beyond this futuristic cover, the use of technology in medicine, photography, and historical preservation were featured in the special reports uploaded in the magazine’s website. Some of those uses, like aerial photography, are already penetrating the Philippines with different possibilities especially for the agriculture sector. These […]

Farmers in Isabela, one of the country’s top rice producer, are reaping the benefits of practicing direct seeding, a crop establishment method, in which pre-germinated seeds are sown directly onto the soil surface. Helen Pasicolan, lead of the direct-seeded rice technology promotion at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in San Mateo, Isabela said that farmers in their demonstration sites gained high yield and reduced their production cost through direct-seeding using […]

What’s more compelling for a millennial to stay at work longer than her peers? Jungie Amacanin- Diamsay, Dangal ng PhilRice Outstanding Development Worker in the Junior Service Contractors category, had been working in the country’s lead agency on rice research and development for five years, while statistics show that 4 in every 10 of her generation will resign from workplace in two years. “I love the entirety of my work- […]

Writer. Information technology practitioner. Systems developer. Administrator. Smart farm manager. Not five people but one. For over 30 years, Pagasa Awardee Roger F. Barroga has calibrated himself across disciplines. Sir Roger, as he is called at work, is one of PhilRice’s pioneer staff having joined the Institute while its main operations were still in Los Baños, Laguna. A call for service Hailing from Luna, Apayao, Sir Roger’s parents were in […]

As they say, prevention is better than cure. Researchers at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are studying the impact of the emergence of the world’s worst weed in irrigated lowland rice production. Cyperus rotundus L. or purple nutsedge also locally called as mutha, sudsud, and barsanga, which is previously known to grow only in the upland, is now quite prevalent in the lowland. As mutha is considered the worst weed […]

There was just a farmer’s son; now he’s a scientist. Dr. Ricardo F. Orge had been developing technologies for the farmers for 25 years, which led to awards and acclamations. Amidst his success, he wants to be remembered as Scientist na anak ng magsasaka (Farmer’s son). Popularly known as Dong, his inventions focus on climate-change, which includes finding ways on how to help Filipino farmers overcome the challenges of climate […]

Early in 2015 the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration officially announced the onslaught of El Niño in the Philippines that caused drastic decline in crop production. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority shows that rice and corn alone respectively fell by 818,000 and 251,800 mt that year compared in 2014. Losses were also recorded in sugarcane, coffee, tobacco, onion, cabbage, and rubber. It was one of the strongest […]

A young graduate of BS Biology at the Central Luzon State University is loving his work at Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice); describing it as fulfilling and fun. Only 24, Jonathan S. Concepcion, Science Research Analyst at Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division, has authored 17 papers and posters. Amidst the research rigors, he manages to pursue his studies and other skills. Found his love at the lab Jonathan started as […]