July 14, 2025 | Lea B. Calmada
To harmonize and strengthen coordination in support of MASAGANA rice R4D goals, the DA-BAR convened the 3rd MASAGANA Cross-Functional Technical Working Group Meeting on Rice Research for Development (R4D) on July 14, 2025. The meeting aimed to align rice R4D initiatives under the MASAGANA Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), with focus on increasing productivity, reducing production costs, and promoting climate-resilient technologies. In his message delivered by DA-BAR OIC-Assistant Director Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera, OIC-Director Joell H. Lales emphasized the shared vision for achieving a rice-secure Philippines. He outlined major targets, including reaching 90-95% rice sufficiency by 2028, reduced production costs from PhP 8 to PhP 6 per kg, and 80% adoption of climate-resilient technologies.
The strategy revolves around four main pillars:
- Location-specific yield optimization
- Clustering and consolidation
- Digital information technologies
- Agro-industrial linkages
Among the notable rice R4D technologies ready for commercialization and scaling include:
- Rice Seed Information System (RSIS) developed by PhilRice and the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
- New climate-resilient rice varieties developed by IRRI, PhilRice, UPLB
- Multi-purpose Seeder developed by PhilRice
- Pictorial Guide for Rice Disease and Pests developed by IRRI, PhilRice and BPI
These innovations align with the MATATAG and NAPAPANAHON strategies under MRIDP, and are aimed at increasing access to farmer-ready technologies that respond to pressing production and market challenges. The meeting gathered key rice R4D stakeholders including the National Rice Program, PhilRice, PhilMech, BPI, UPLB, and IRRI, to reinforce the synergy and ensure synchronized implementation of the country’s rice R4D initiatives.