Responding to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for an “all-inclusive economic and social transformation” through the Bagong Pilipinas campaign, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) of the Department of Agriculture is set to showcase its accomplishments that contributed to the achievement of Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas.
As the highlight of the Bagong Pilipinas Town Hall Meeting on March 20-21 in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, the accomplishments will include the Institute’s contributions to achieving the country’s record harvest of 20.06 million metric tons in 2023.
Among PhilRice contributions include the distribution of certified inbred seeds through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program and the training of farmers, farm workers, and their dependents, and extension workers through the RCEF Rice Extension Services Program.
Farmer-clusters were also identified for sustainable agroenterprise development and linked with institutional markets such as Kiwanis International, MayaniPH, CM & Sons Food Products Inc. [Merzci], and Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction Network as part of the Rice Business Innovations System Program.
They were also linked to funding and facilities providers such as the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, and BPI Foundation. More than 500 farmers across the country were also trained in good agricultural practices or PhilGAP.
NSIC 2023 Rc 730 SR and Rc 732, PhilRice-bred varieties recommended in national irrigated and rainfed lowland areas, respectively, were approved for commercial release while breeding for varieties adaptive to complete submergence and flash floods with 100% survival 21 days after de-submergence are on the way.
In addition, climate-smart technologies such as early-maturing and varieties suited for non-irrigated and rice-based system called Palayamanan were promoted.
Dubbed as Lakbay Palay town hall meeting with the theme “Bida ang sama-sama sa Bagong Pilipinas” will be graced by Undersecretary for Operations Roger Navarro on the first day to be attended by farmers.
Central Luzon State University President Evaristo Abella will keynote the event on the second to be attended by students. More than 500 stakeholders per day are expected to attend the town hall meeting.
Farmers will learn about new rice varieties, proper nutrient management, farm machines, rice-based systems, and digital apps. Meanwhile, students will be presented with different opportunities in agriculture to engage them in a career that could contribute to food security in the country.
The event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on the DA-PhilRice Facebook page.
