The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and DA-PhilRice Batac are intensifying the promotion of modern rice production technologies and youth engagement in agriculture through farm tourism. MMSU Pres. Shirley Agrupis explained that the collaborative project is a “contribution to reinvigorating the agriculture sector by showcasing innovative rice production technologies.” Farm tourism through rice paddy art established at MMSU featured Gen. Artemio Ricarte, a native of Batac City and the “Father […]

Rice farmers expressed appreciation for the conduct of the Lakbay Palay through excellent ratings forwarded to its organizers after the Sep. 14-15 event at DA-PhilRice CES, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Jerry Buan from Arayat, Pampanga said the activity served as an eye opener in improving their field practices. “In a hectare, we use 8-10 sacks of seeds because we thought that if we plant more seeds, it will […]

Dr. Sailila E. Abdula, DA-PhilRice Midsayap branch director, holds two concurrent positions under the Department of Agriculture (DA). He is the designated regional executive director, officer-in-charge, of DA-Regional Field Office 12 and director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR). In a turnover ceremony held Sept. 12 at DA-RFO 12, Abdula vowed to bring ‘sense of continuity’ in implementing the department’s programs in the region. As DA-BAR director, meanwhile, he […]

Rice varieties such as NSIC Rc 506, Rc 508, Rc 436, Rc 480, Rc 402, Rc 216, and Rc 160 were named as “farmers’ favorites” during the 2022 Wet Season PalaySikatan Farm Walk and Farmers’ Forum on Aug. 23-26. Through the technology demonstration of the RCEF-Seed Program, crop performances of high-yielding varieties were exhibited to over 400 farmer-visitors in six technology demonstration sites in Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, and […]

Rice-based agroenterprises particularly local milled rice are profitable due to their 10-20% return on investment. This was emphasized to Agusan farmers during the Agribusiness Support for Promotion and Investment in Regional Exposition (ASPIRE) Trade Fair 2022 themed “Strengthening Digital Marketing Towards Agribusiness Prosperity: Eat Local, Buy Local,” in Butuan City on Sep. 2-4. Sonny Jay Acosta, agroenterprise development facilitator of RiceBIS Agusan Project, said that “there is money in farming, […]

Twenty-six trainees from Ifugao, Kalinga, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, and Cagayan finished the season-long Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Specialists’ Training Course (RCEF-RSTC) on Aug. 30 at DA-PhilRice Isabela. The training course, which started on May 30, tackled three modules that ignited their passion to assist farmers and improve agriculture; strengthened their understanding and appreciation of the scientific principles, or the “WHY’s” behind rice production technology recommendations and practices; and improve the […]

With an aim to expand the reach of services to seed growers and farmers in CALABARZON, DA-PhilRice Los Baños signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Quezon National Agricultural School-Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (QNAS-TESDA) on Aug. 15. “This partnership is a course of action to achieve TESDA’s Abot Lahat vision,” said TESDA Vocational School Superintendent Ceferino R. Tolentino Jr. Aside from supplementary supply of seeds, the objective of […]

DA-PhilRice in Ligao City, Albay boosted its support to rice farmers by providing extension services to agricultural information intermediaries. Chosen as a One-Stop Information Shop (OSIS), Catanduanes State University (CatSU) received knowledge products and newly released inbred seeds on July 26-27. An OSIS Satellite was also established in its Panganiban campus. “With the OSIS setup in campus libraries, farmers’ associations, and government offices across the regions, services are extended to […]

“One of the main drivers of our push for growth and employment will be in the agricultural sector,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos emphasized during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25. The concurrent agriculture secretary spoke about his plans to address the gap in food supply and increasing prices to help consumers regain their purchasing power. Financial assistance and farm inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, […]

Farmers in Northwestern Luzon are assured of high-quality and viable seeds from DA-PhilRice Batac with the construction of a PhP25M seed warehouse. Funded by the DA-RFO 1, the multi-purpose storage facility for rice seeds and other crops will also be utilized as a one-stop shop for clients who are buying high-quality inbred seeds. With an area of 1,152sqm, it consists of two rice seed storage areas, processing area for bagging, […]