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 […]

A farmer and now acting director of Javenri Harvest Farm School, Bryan S.  Dizon recognizes the importance of Minus-One Element Technique (MOET) kits on minimizing the expenses of Palawan farmers. The diagnostic tool, which determines the nutrient levels of rice soils, helps farmers practice the effective application of fertilizer on farmlands. “Palawan farmers usually apply complete fertilizers, but that should not be the case. With MOET kits, farmers can make […]

Agriculture specialists and farmers acknowledged the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for the training programs and technologies extended to its stakeholders. On the Institute’s 35th anniversary, Nov. 5, Louderick Jimena, agricultural extension worker in Occidental Mindoro said PhilRice training contributed to his development as extensionist educating farmers in their area. “PhilRice gave me the much-needed confidence in making decisions on the field. Through PhilRice, I have a scientific […]

New strategies toward rice security were emphasized during the 32nd National Rice R4D conference hosted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), Nov. 4, in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. With the theme, “Sustaining high-quality rice science in the midst of change,” PhilRice presented its two programs and strategic vision: Strategically Modernized and Robust Technologies for a Competitive and Secure Rice Industry (SMARTerRice) and the Rice Business […]

To minimize health threats engendered by the pandemic, Lakbay Palay of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) was carried out online to continue promoting new rice and rice-based farming technologies, Oct. 14-16. More than 20,000 rice stakeholders learned about new varieties, fertilizer management recommendations, farming apps, and farm machines through the social media. “I learned that I can now use an app to guide me on nutrient management. […]

Rice farmers in Butuan City observe the performance of hybrid rice in a 100-ha contiguous farm in Brgy. Lemon, Basag, Ampayan during the recent 11th National Rice Techno-Forum. Among the 26 hybrid rice varieties showcased include NSIC Rc 204H or Mestiso 20 (M20) and five inbred rice varieties. “One way to achieve higher yield and income is through hybridization and technologies that reduce rice production costs,” said Caesar Joventino Tado, […]

Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) branch station in Isabela is ready for the new scheme of seed distribution brought in CAR and Region 2. Dr. Leo Javier, branch director of Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in Isabela said that a mobile app called RCEF SMS (Seed Monitoring System) will be used by the local government units (LGUs) to fast track the reporting of seed distribution updates. […]

For three consecutive cropping seasons, farmers in Buenavista, Quezon have been enjoying high yields from Mestiso 20 (M20), a public hybrid variety that produces up to 234cav/ha. In a 100-ha total area planted with M20, officials are expecting to surpass the 8t/ha harvest in the previous seasons. “From 50ha in 2018 and 2019, we have added 50ha more as we witnessed its good performance even in rainfed areas. Due to […]