Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) laid its draft strategic plan for 2023-2028 during the 34th Ugnay Palay: National Rice Research for Development (R4D) Conference, Dec. 7.
The institute stakeholders agreed to implement the following banner programs: Rice Seed Systems 2.0, Scaling Modern and Adaptive Rice Technologies toward Prosperous Farming Communities (SMART Farm), and Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) 2.0.
Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, deputy executive director for special concerns, emphasized the need to consolidate and strengthen food security efforts to get back on track and build back better through the new strategic plan, which stands on the achievements gained and lessons learned from previous years.
“Our planning process is guided by the sustainable development goals, gender equality and social inclusivity, the Ambisyon Natin 2040 through PBBM’s 8-point economic agenda, and the Philippine development plan 2023-2028,” she said.
Bordey also presented the institute’s new vision, mission, and core values, which shift from a commodity-focused to a people-centric outlook.
In his address, Department of Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban highlighted the importance of science, technology, and science-based solutions in strengthening the rice value chain and achieving food security in the agricultural sector.
“Agriculture has long resorted to the potential of science and technology to transcend the many limitations confronting the sector as well,” he said.
DA Assistant Secretary for Operations, Arnel V. De Mesa, CESO III, presented the national programs and plans on rice, which consist of the country’s current rice industry, the latest notable rice technologies, ongoing national rice program-funded research, pipelined studies for 2023, and the vision for the future of Philippine rice technology.
The new DA-PhilRice knowledge products and the institute terminal report for the strategic plan of the past five years were also presented to the rice stakeholders.
