Philrice sets new R&D program to assist farmers

MANILA, Philippines - Nueva Ecija-based Philippine Rice Research Institute (Philrice) is implementing new research and development programs that will assist farmers cop with climate change, develop high value products from rice, and use green technology in rice cultivation.

Farmers interested in learning new rice cultivation technologies can approach PhilRice for knowledge transfer.

PhilRice is now implementing information campaigns on managing the effects of climate change on rice cultivation with the goal of ensuring household and income security in climate-change vulnerable areas.

The institute will also provide technology transfer for the development of high value rice products to increase the income of rice farming communities.

This entails the development of high-value products from the rice grain and other parts of the rice plant.

Farmers can also learn the use of beneficial microorganisms in rice cultivation.

PhilRice is also implementing technology and knowledge transfers on efficient use of energy in rice farming.

The research institute is also mapping new tracts of land that are suitable for rice farming. These so-called agri-bio systems comprise arable land and clean water sources.

PhilRice is likewise promoting the use of green technologies in rice farming to reduce energy consumption and expenses for inputs.

Palay production in the first semester of the year likely reached eight million metric tons (MT), up by more than one percent from the production level of 7.89 million MT in the same period last year.

Agriculture Undersecretary for field operations and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante Delima said the expected higher year-on-year for the first half could be attributed to the expansion of palay cultivation areas.

The Philippines intends to surpass the 2012 rice production of 18 million MT by producing 20 million MT this year. In 2014, the country intends to produce 21 million MT.

The country has also begun exporting premium rice in small quantities to develop the market.