DA-PhilRice Batac, Isabela, Los Baños, and Negros were awarded ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) certification by SOCOTEC Certification Philippines in 2021. This makes all stations ISO-Certified. Agusan, Midsayap, and Bicol were certified earlier.  The Central Experiment Station (CES) was declared compliant with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental), and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety) after the second audit on Nov. 17-19.  The certification covered Rice Research and Development, Business Development […]

During the Agusan branch station’s 31st anniversary on Aug 9, Director Dr. Caesar Joventino Tado stated that the station will focus on macro and micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities research to achieve 4t/ha in Caraga Region by 2022. Tado also lauded the branch’s entire workforce for supporting the RCEF team in the seed distribution, extension, and communication efforts this year. He thanked the pioneering staff for their continued service.

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute will convene the rice sector to discuss the new challenges and opportunities in rice research for development (R4D) in the 33rd Ugnay Palay: National Rice R4D e-conference, Nov. 4-5. Dr. John C. de Leon, executive director, said that the conference will focus on the agriculture sector adapting strategies that emphasize food security amidst the pandemic. “The pandemic is pushing us to think and act […]

Be RICEponsibly healthy. The public is encouraged to consume healthier rice produced by Filipino farmers in the month-long celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November. The celebration, which kicks off on Nov. 8, highlights the importance of pigmented and brown rice with the theme “Be RICEponsibly healthy.” Golden Rice is also being introduced. Food scientist Dr. Marissa V. Romero of DA-PhilRice stressed that the health benefits of […]

DA-PhilRice is eyeing more modern, non-exclusive technology licensing agreements following the signing of two agreements allowing the Guimba, Nueva Ecija-based ACT Machineries and Metal Craft Corporation to manufacture and commercialize institute-developed farm machines. These machines are the Multipurpose Seeder that distributes seeds uniformly and the Ride-on Buoyant Tiller capable of tilling soft, shallow, to relatively deep-mud fields. Executive director Dr. John C. de Leon said the agreements are “gateway to […]

Twenty farmers were briefed about high-yielding rice varieties and pest and nutrient management technologies in a techno-orientation conducted by Los Baños station at the DA-Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI)-assisted farm school in Pila, Laguna on Oct. 14.  Showcased at the Roqueza Integrated Farm school owned by Evita Roqueza, were public hybrid (M1), NSIC Rc 216, a popular inbred in the locality, and the newly released varieties Rc 508, Rc 510, and […]

Fire and electrical safety awareness is key in fire prevention and in performing maintenance and repairs of electrical equipment by qualified personnel. On Aug. 27, 30 workers from different divisions at our Central Experiment Station (CES) participated in the Basic Electrical Safety Awareness webinar to help improve the institute’s Occupational Health and Safety Management System. The Integrated Management Standards and Services Office led the training with Markrinello M. Sarical of […]

The Esperanza RiceBIS Producers Cooperative (ESRIPCO) in Agusan del Norte is targeting a multi-purpose upgrade within the next two years following its operation since RiceBIS Agusan organized it during its 2019 RiceBIS Phase 1.  ESRIPCO currently provides high-quality seeds and farm inputs in the province. Meanwhile, 50 farmer-members of the Gumaga Farmers Association in Libungan, North Cotabato can now reduce their production cost including milling rice products after receiving farm […]

DA-PhilRice is providing financial assistance to all personnel who incur COVID-related expenses in the performance of their duties under the newly created COVID Fund. Regular staff and other personnel are required to submit necessary documents such as official receipts, travel orders, and trip tickets to avail of the financial assistance. Executive director Dr. John C. de Leon said the institute’s assistance to COVID-affected staff “will come through 80% reimbursed expenses […]

On Sep.1, the Regional Rice Technology Forum and Hybrid Rice Techno-Demo Harvest Festival highlighted the vigor of 14 hybrids under the agro-climatic conditions in Region 12’s Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat provinces. The 14 hybrid rice varieties featured during the event at the Midsayap station were PHB 79, Bigante, Habilis, SL-8H, SL-12H, SL-19H, Hyvar, US88, TH 82, Batari, Longping 534 and 2096, Mestiso 20, and Kimbee.  Farmers from Buenavista, Quezon also […]