AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has commended the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) for its role in shaping the future of Philippine agriculture through innovation as the institute marked its 39th anniversary on Tuesday.
“As we celebrate this 39-year milestone, I underscore PhilRice’s role in shaping the future of Philippine agriculture. You are not just improving rice production; you are improving lives,” he said.
The theme for the 39th anniversary celebration of PhilRice is “Bida ang Sama-sama para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” underscoring the importance of partnerships in attaining higher rice yields amid persistent challenges like climate change.
The Philippine Rice Research Institute headquarters in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. PHILRICE PHOTO
Tiu Laurel tied PhilRice’s contributions to the government’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), an initiative to boost food supply and strengthen the rice value chain.
“PhilRice has been instrumental in fostering a culture of collaboration and resource-sharing among farmers,” he said.
One of PhilRice’s strategies has been promoting farmer clusters to enhance access to resources, information and technology, enabling farmers to cope with agricultural challenges. This, the agriculture chief noted, is critical to the success of MRIDP, particularly as farmers face climate-related issues such as the recent El Niño and La Niña.
Tiu Laurel cited PhilRice’s proactive response to climate-related challenges including the recent El Niño and La Niña as the institute provided early maturing rice varieties and information to help farmers adapt to changing conditions.
Also, as of Aug. 31, PhilRice, through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program, distributed 18.25 million bags of certified seeds, benefitting 1.77 million beneficiaries.
The institute’s social media page also launched its #BeClimateSmart campaign, which has reached more than 500,000 netizens.
“This responsiveness shows how deeply PhilRice cares for the well-being of our farmers,” he said.
For her part, Mayor Baby Armi Alvarez of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, where the PhilRice headquarters is located, lauded the institute’s role in fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers and policymakers.
“PhilRice has created a powerful synergy, bringing together diverse stakeholders who work hand in hand to advance agricultural science and address the challenges faced by our nation’s rice industry,” Alvarez said.
The local government of Muñoz, she added, remains committed to supporting PhilRice’s mission by providing essential resources to create an environment conducive to agricultural research and development.
As part of its anniversary celebration, PhilRice will conduct the “SRO Seminar Series,” in honor of its first executive director, Santiago Obien. The seminar series will feature Manuel Logroño, president and founder of Maize Life and Farming Science. The seminar aims to enhance the management and leadership skills of the institute’s staff.
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