SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ, Nueva Ecija -- The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has started to equip farmers with the necessary knowledge and information to help them cope with the challenges of the rice trade liberation.
During the "Lakbay Palay" event that kicked off on Thursday at the PhilRice compound here, projects under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program were introduced to the farmers in an effort to help them become at par with their counterparts from neighboring countries.
Dr. Flordeliza H. Bordey, PhilRice deputy executive director and RCEF program director, said this year’s "Lakbay Palay" will focus on technologies that would increase the farmers’ rice yield while reducing production costs.
Bordey said the seed component which will work on the promotion, propagation and development of certified inbred seeds will be discussed to the farmers.
Likewise, she said that experts from the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Landbank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and Agricultural Training Institute will discuss free machines, loans, and trainings.
“Experts will also teach farmers on vegetable, mushroom, and lotus production, Sorjan system, crops and livestock integration, and buffalo raising,” she said.
Bordey added that PhilRice technologies such as capillarization and "kwebo" will also be showcased.
"Lakbay Palay" is a bi-annual event for farmers, extension workers, students, and other rice stakeholders. (PNA)