PhilRice intensifies technology adaptation

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) fast tracks the adaptation of farming technologies with its seven branches across the country implementing a more developmental approach.

During the institute`s recent 59^th Board of Trustees meeting, the highest policy-making body agreed that the branch stations will broaden its development focus to address other farming needs in the community.

Until last year, PhilRice stations have specialized research activities. The station in Batac, Ilocos Norte is known as center for dry land agriculture research and development; San Mateo, Isabela, hybrid rice; Los Baños, Laguna, grain quality; Murcia, Negros Occidental, organic agriculture; RTRomualdez, Agusan del Norte, nutrient management; Midsayap, North Cotabato, integrated pest management; and Ligao City, Albay, R &D for climate change adaptation.

“We are redefining the roles of our branch stations. They will serve as nucleus for technology testing and demonstration,” Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director said.

Rasco said that additional farming components will be tested and demonstrated in the stations including services on financing and custom machinery, marketing, and processing services for products derived from the community.  These components, he said, aim to enhance productivity, profitability, sustainability, resource-use efficiency, value-adding, and mechanization. 

"The outcome from the demonstration sites will be easily and immediately deployed to the surrounding communities.   This creates a ripple effect as these communities will then become additional nuclei for technology dissemination to farther communities.  Schools and state universities near the stations are also potential catalysts in the formation of other nuclei,” Rasco said.

“We have seen the impact of this model here at Central Experiment Station where seed centers multiplied rapidly with the help of PhilRice.  Aside from seeds, we are eyeing the integration of other technologies like vermicomposting, mushroom production and processing, bioethanol production, and livestock production,” he added.