Decision-making is made easy as rice-related information is right at our fingertips. Thanks to ICT and digital technologies!
Information and communications technology (ICT) and digital technologies pave the way for anticipatory decision-making and action for our policymakers, researchers, development workers, and rice farmers. The Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM), Rice Crop Manager Advisory Service (RCMAS), and Oryza Germplasm Management System (GEMS) are just among the decision-making tools available.
With the continuous advancement in ICT, PhilRice will also upgrade and update its digital infrastructure following the Medium-Term ICT Harmonization Initiative, which “harmonizes and ensures interoperability among ICT-related resources, programs, and projects across the government.”
The Institute will set up its Data Analytics Center, which will serve as the core rice data lake, modern data analytics, and allow a collaborative data science environment. The center hopes to reduce overall storage, maintenance, and operation costs on data, provide better backup, minimize the risk of data loss, increase security, and enhance compliance with regulatory and data privacy policies.
GEMS
GEMS Online is our Genetic Resources Division’s in-house database that supports the Institute’s commitment of continuously improving and innovating the management, centralization, and storage of genetic resource data to maintain accurate, reliable, and up-to-date germplasm information. Being online, there’s a timely delivery of requested germplasm for research, and a significant increase in the genetic resource-use in breeding and genetic improvement.
DR. NONAWIN AGUSTIN, Balik Scientist Fellow
“I started using GEMS when I needed to request seed materials for experiments. GEMS provided the list of all Sahod-Ulan varieties available at GRD that I needed to characterize for root formation. I still use GEMS whenever we request additional seed materials. It is more convenient to use whenever we want to scan the internally available germplasm.”
RCMAS
This is an application used in identifying nutrient requirements and could be accessed via a smartphone or a computer with Internet connection. RCMAS provides site-specific nutrient recommendations from extension workers to farmers. It also supplies useful advisories depending on variety, yield from the previous season, and the specific conditions of their fields. RCMAS helps farmers decide how to manage their rice crops better.
GENEROSO RUIZ, Santiago City, Isabela
“For 33 years, I had been satisfied harvesting 130 cav/ha. I applied fertilizer with no basis. I applied twice only-7 days after transplanting, and 20 days later. I only used 14-14-14 and urea. I didn’t know that I needed to apply 16-20-0 as an alternative fertilizer for root growth and development.
Good thing, PhilRice Isabela introduced RCMAS and PalayCheck System to us in December 2021. Thanks to RCMAS recommendations, I harvested 180cav/ha with Mestiso 20, a public hybrid rice. In 2022, I harvested 190cav/ ha with a private hybrid rice. As president of the Lateral C-3C Santa Fe Irrigators’ Association, Inc., I also encouraged members to try RCMAS and they gained an average yield increase of 30cav/ha. I believe that the PalayCheck System, an integrated rice crop management system plus RCMAS recommendations, gave us good yields.”
PRiSM
This is the first rice monitoring system in Southeast Asia that uses satellite imagery and ICT. It generates updated (seasonal) data on rice area planted, time of planting, and yield and production estimates, assessment of damage by typhoons, floods, or drought by producing area maps. PRiSM integrates remote sensing, crop modeling, and smartphone-based surveys to provide information on where, when, and how much rice is grown in the country. It helps monitor rice production and prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
ADRIEL ABANDO, Department of Agriculture
“Since 2018, I have been using the planting and production data outputs of PRiSM. Recently, I needed data on the growth stages of rice.
Planting and production data have been useful in terms of assessing the synchronization of the National Rice Program’s production-related activities with the actual planting situation. It also provides us data trends that enable us to project monthly supply outlooks. Data on rice growth stages are used in making a proposal to request for additional funds to mitigate projected declines in palay production.
We continue to use data from PRiSM for program planning since they give us in advance insights on the sector’s performance.”
