The Quezon Codcod RiceBIS Farmers’ Agriculture Cooperative (QUECORIFACO) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on March 19 received a P5.2 million equipment grant to support its expanding agribusiness ventures.  The Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation (BPIF), Inc. is equipping the organization with enterprise machines that include a truck and a rice mill, which will enhance their transport and production necessities. “QueCoRiFACo currently comprises five associations with plans to expand […]

PhilRice Bicol marked its 13th anniversary on March 21, celebrating a legacy of unwavering commitment to agricultural excellence and the betterment of rice-farming communities. The branch station has been at the forefront of advancing the development and dissemination of strategies and technologies aimed at making rice and rice-based farming more resilient to climate change. Over the years, PhilRice Bicol has engaged more than 10,000 clients through various capacity enhancement activities. […]

To emphasize the importance of unity and collaboration among Filipino farmers and the rice industry stakeholders, more than 1,000 participants, including farmers, students, extension workers, and researchers, gathered at PhilRice, Nueva Ecija on March 20–21. The gathering highlighted the active engagement of  farmers, agricultural officers, extension workers, representatives from various LGUs, schools, colleges, and universities. Lakbay Palay is a bi-annual farmers’ field day and forum, sponsored by the Rice Competitiveness […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) reported its contributions in hitting the 2023 record harvest at its Bagong Pilipinas town hall meeting during the recent Lakbay Palay in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. Reporting to more than 500 farmers, Executive Director John C. de Leon announces that the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program has distributed 16.04 million 20-kilogram bags of inbred rice seeds to 2.4 million unique […]

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has introduced four public hybrid varieties that are cheaper than their counterparts in a technology demonstration farm called “rice derby,” available for viewing during the recent 17th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) in Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija. “Farmers are always searching for ways to reduce rice production costs. This forum promotes affordable, accessible government-funded hybrid varieties available for use,” said Science Research Specialist Jerry […]

A Masbate official has announced that an 8t/ha-rice yield was harvested in one of their farms during the wet season following recommendations from the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. “Our usual harvest is only 2.5t/ha. Thanks to the RCEF PalaySikatan techno demo in Mobo, we witnessed that 8t/ha yield is possible,” Provincial Agriculturist Graciana Tagnipez said.  PalaySikatan Farmer Cooperator Ruby Briones attributed her abundant harvest to the use […]

After nearly four decades of grappling with farming challenges in Pinukpuk, Kalinga, Melecio Pecasio Jr. embarked on a learning journey. Recognizing the limitations of traditional farming methods that were affecting his yield and income, Melecio enrolled in the Farmer Field School (FFS) under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Rice Extension Services Program (RCEF RESP). In 2021, Melecio completed 14 sessions of lectures and hands-on training at Clemencia’s Rice-based Integrated Farm […]

Antique farmers have achieved a 1t/ha-increase in yield by using the certified inbred seeds distributed by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program.  Previously, farmers relied on home-saved seeds yielding 2-3t/ha. With RCEF certified inbred seeds, yields have increased to 4-5t/ha. Antique’s implementation of RCEF operations and extension services has earned it the excellence award for the best province during the RCEF Seed and Extension Annual Review held in […]

To address the needs of agriculture stakeholders to have easier access to science-based rice information, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) launched new social media accounts during its Farmers Field Day dubbed as the Lakbay Palay in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, March 20-21. The Institute’s page on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@philricetv/shorts) and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@rice_matters) were created based on stakeholders’ demand for rice information on said platforms.  In a survey conducted on […]

Farmers of San Jose, Camarines Sur voted for NSIC Rc 480 as their top preferred variety during the “Lakbay Palay at PalayTalakayan sa Binhing Palay Farm” on March 18. The variety impressed farmers with its excellent crop stand, productive tillers, and long grains. Other rainfed varieties showcased were NSIC Rc 416, Rc 472, and Rc 568 that also received positive feedback from the farmers due to their resilience to drought. […]