To reinforce its commitment to improve rice productivity and cut farm production costs in Region I, 47 staff members of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) Batac completed a week-long training on the updated PalayCheck System this May.
The PalayCheck System, developed by DA-PhilRice, is a science-based integrated rice production guide designed to help farmers make better crop management decisions. The 2024 edition includes updated best practices on land preparation, seedling health, and pest management, which are key areas identified as critical to raising farm efficiency and profitability.
“This training is timely and essential. With the updated PalayCheck system, our staff are now more prepared to guide farmers toward adopting better rice production strategies,” Branch Director Mary Ann U. Baradi said.
The updated course includes updated recommendations on land preparation, sufficient number of healthy seedlings, and improved pest management techniques.
Shannel C. Abad, one of the training participants and a development communicator, shared how the training boosted her confidence in effectively communicating with farmers.
“This training refreshed our knowledge and introduced new ideas we can share with farmers. It gave us a stronger foundation to promote practices that work in the field,” she said.
