Dr.
William Dar, acting Department of
Agriculture secretary, had recognized the Philippine Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice) as a lead agency in research during his recent visit at the
Institute’s Central Experiment Station in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.
“I’ve [already said this] and
I will always mention that the number 1 research institute in the country,
comparing any research institute, is PhilRice. [This is not to flatter you. I
know because I have worked with you],” Dar said.
“I am a returnee to the
department, and I’ve seen 21 years ago, how good PhilRice is. I would like to
recognize the leadership and all of you for having sustained and having
alleviated your responsibilities and your way of serving the country,” the
servant-leader in agriculture, who had served as DA secretary from 1998 to
1999, said.
Since 1985, PhilRice has
received citations from government officials and award-giving bodies including
the Civil Service Commission. PhilRice human resources, which has seven ranked
scientists, are also recipients of national and international accolades in
conferences and in their field of specializations. In 2018, Pres. Rodrigo
Duterte conferred outstanding public servant awards to three PhilRice
officials.
As research institution,
PhilRice has registered the highest number of patents granted among government
agencies – a feat recognized early this year by the Intellectual Property
Office of the Philippines.
Among the rice varieties
planted by farmers, study showed that PhilRice-bred NSIC Rc 216, Rc 160, and Rc
300 were included in the top four most preferred rice varieties in irrigated
lowland fields, both for dry and wet seasons.
The Rice-Based Farming
Household Survey, conducted every five years, showed that the use of PhilRice’s
inbred rice varieties had increased from about 5% in 1996 to about 34% in 2017.
The study also showed that
use of certified seeds, which is promoted by PhilRice, is practiced by 48% of
the farmer-respondents. Certified inbred seeds are promoted in the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund.
Moreover, 12% of the
farmer-respondents plant hybrid rice. Among hybrid rice varieties,
PhilRice-bred Mestiso 20 had shown consistent good yield at 6-11t/ha in
farmers’ demonstration sites across the country.
Meanwhile, minicombine
harvester—a machine that can harvest, thresh, clean, and bag grains in one
passing, has high adoption rate in some of the top-producing provinces
including Isabela. In San Mateo, extension workers noted that almost all of the
farmers use the machine, which reduces labor costs.
PhilRice also had conducted
season-long farming training program for African extension workers; trainings
for farmers, rice specialists, seed growers; Infomediary module training;
Training of Trainers on PalayCheck System; and Rice Boot Camp, totaling to more
than 500,000 training alumni.
In 2016, PhilRice ranked 37th
in the web ranking of research institutions in Southeast Asia. In the
Philippines, it ranked better than institutes conducting researches on natural
science, medicine, and education.
The Civil Service Commission
also grants bronze award to PhilRice Human Resource and Management Office
recognizing its excellence in human resource management systems, practices, and
competencies of government agencies.
It is also one of the first
government institutions to receive ISO 14001 certificate on environmental
management system, and certifications on Integrated Quality, Environment, and
Health and Safety Management Systems.
In January 1994, former Sen.
Blas Ople announced PhilRice as one of the country’s 33 Centers of Excellence.
It can also be recalled that four years following its establishment, former
Pres. Corazon Aquino lauded the Institute in unifying the country’s rice
research efforts.
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