The Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urges farmers to follow the recommended seeding rate in rice production for better yields and reduced production cost. Seeding rate refers to the amount of rice seeds planted per hectare. DA-PhilRice recommends 40kg per hectare for transplanted rice while 60-80kg per hectare is promoted for direct-seeded. “When this is followed, rice plants grow healthier because it can receive sufficient sunlight […]

Farmers could save P2,000-P4,000 if they complement inorganic fertilizer application with organic, nutrient experts from the Department of Agriculture (DA) said. Wilfredo B. Collado, a nutrient management expert from DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, said that farmers must maximize the benefits of natural sources of nutrients. “One hundred cavans of palay (5t-yield) produces 5t of rice straw. If this is incorporated into the soil and decomposed, it can produce 30kg N, […]

Fifteen new inbred rice varieties were approved for commercial release in December 2021 by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC). Eight among these are PhilRice-bred: three for irrigated lowland (NSIC Rc 622, Rc 624, and Rc 626,) and five special-purpose pigmented non-glutinous (NSIC Rc 638 SR, Rc 640 SR, Rc 642 SR, Rc 644 SR, and Rc 646 SR). The other seven are IRRI-bred: five are for irrigated lowland (NSIC […]

More Filipino consumers are becoming aware of the health benefits of low-glycemic index (GI) rice according to a study by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) on consumers’ awareness, behavior, and knowledge of rice and rice-based products. “Results of our study showed that majority of our respondents from all 17 regions in the country had high level of awareness on GI,” Riza G. Abilgos-Ramos, supervising science research specialist […]

The recent commercial propagation approval of Golden Rice was lauded by global experts as an indicator of the Philippines’ leadership role in agricultural biotechnology in the ASEAN region. The country’s pioneering path began in 1990 with the establishment of its first biosafety policy and was further strengthened by Administrative Order No. 8, Series of 2002 (AO8), which opened the pathways for “local agriculture to benefit from the safe and responsible […]

Following success in establishing a farmers’ cooperative in Murcia, Negros Occidental, Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) based here is expanding its assistance on business entrepreneurship to two municipalities. Anileen Pajarillo, station lead of Rice Business Innovation System (RiceBIS) program, said that about 200 farmers in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Canalon City, Negros Oriental are attending trainings on rice production and agri-enterprise following strict health protocol. According […]

As farmers recover from the onslaught of recent typhoons, researchers from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) urge rice farmers to plant high-quality inbred seeds of a recommended variety as this helps increase yield by 10-15%. Fredierick Saludez, DA-PhilRice agriculturist said that the use of high-quality inbred seeds results in high germination rate, lower seeding rate, more vigorous seedlings, and more efficient crop establishment. “Crops from high-quality seeds […]

Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program is benefitting more than 100,000 rice farmers in Region 2 and CAR who were affected by agricultural damages brought about by recent typhoons. Andres L. Dela Cruz Jr., RCEF coordinator in Isabela, said that seed delivery and distribution in Region 2 and CAR resumed on Nov. 16 to immediately supply the RCEF areas with more than 120,000 bags of seeds. Municipalities and cities, especially […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) economists encourage farmers to sell good quality dry palay for more income amidst the lower farmgate price of palay. Alice Briones-Mataia of PhilRice Socioeconomics Division explained that farmers will earn an average of P1.50 per kilogram depending on quality when they sell dry palay. Palay price is largely dictated by factors, such as quality (level of moisture content and variety), seasonality, supply disturbances, and import […]

More trainers are now expected to help Filipino farmers following the participants’ completion of rice production training funded by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund-Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF-RESP). In their recent graduation at the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, trainees said they have learned the concepts and principles of the PalayCheck System specifically on the production of high-quality inbred rice and […]