The Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) Center in the Philippines turned over 13 greenhouses to farmers’ associations in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, May 18. Three greenhouses were awarded to the Buklod ng Nagkakaisang Magsasaka ng Batitang (BNMB) farmers’ association and four to Ugat-Uhay Farmers’ Association (UUFA). This is in addition to the six greenhouses already turned over to them. “These greenhouses will help raise farmers’ income [with the crops they […]

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 […]

Owing to production challenges, such as unstable prices and climate-related stresses, many farmers might have been contemplating on leaving rice farming. But for Leo Franco L. Ebardo of Bayugan City and Terencio R. Oquendo, Jr. of Esperanza, both in Agusan del Sur, their choice is to join this bumpy ride of producing more rice. Truth to tell, they have joined the Esperanza Seed Growers-Farmers’ Association (ESEGFA), which was born in […]

Most Filipino rice farmers are normally engaged in a single income source to support their family needs. Growing rice and selling it as fresh palay to traders is habitual for them in getting immediate cash returns. For Johnny C. Escote, 54, from Central Glad, Midsayap, North Cotabato, it’s not yet too late to try rice business, in fact, it’s the best time to initiate one knowing that buying price of […]

Few months after a techno demo, adoption of two-wheeled lightweight machine for direct seeding known as plastic drumseeder had increased to 200% in Libungan, Cotabato. From seven rice farmers who participated in a 2020 wet season techno demo, 21 farmers have established their crops using plastic drumseeder this 2021 dry season. The machine was developed and promoted by the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice). Victorino Dumanig, […]

For people in the city area, “see you at SM” means “meeting at a shopping mall”. Interestingly, to the facilitators and farmer-cooperators of the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Community Program at Brgys. Macarse and Mayamot, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, “SM” stands for “Silong ng Mangga”. Such was the expression during the program’s early years of implementation when the villages in the area still had not much – no facilities nor […]

There is strength in togetherness. This line proves true in the journey toward success of Balangibang Palayamanan Farmers Incorporated (BPFI). When consecutive setbacks confronted them, members of this farmers’ association in Polangui, Albay dared to find opportunities in the midst of difficulties. It started with hunger to learn BPFI members started from participating in a farmer field school in 2010. “We started as a group of farmers who wanted to […]

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 […]