Philippine Rice Research Institute


Philippine Rice Research Institute is a government corporate entity attached to the Department of Agriculture created through Executive Order 1061 on 5 November 1985 to help develop high-yielding and cost-reducing technologies for farmers.
The Institute accomplishes this mission through research and development work in our central and six branch stations, coordinating with a network that comprises 57 agencies and 70 seed centers located nationwide.

History

convened a committee to brainstorm the idea of establishing a national rice research center. The committee was composed of Domingo M. Lantican, vice chancellor for administration of UP Los Baños; Ricardo M. Lantican, UPLB director for research; Domingo F. Panganiban, deputy minister of Agriculture and Food; Ramon Valmayor, executive director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development; Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, IRRI director general; and Manuel de Leon, staff director of the National Economic and Development Authority.
The proposal for the establishment of PhilRice was submitted to then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos through then Agriculture and Food Minister Salvador H. Escudero III. The Executive Order creating PhilRice was signed by President Marcos on November 5, 1985. Then Pres. Corazon C. Aquino signed EO 60 on November 7, 1986, which affirmed the creation and increased membership in the board of trustees of PhilRice. Minister of Agriculture Ramon V. Mitra and UP System President Edgardo J. Angara identified and recommended the members of PhilRice Board of Trustees for appointment by President Aquino.
While a director has not yet been appointed, an executing committee chaired by UPLB College of Agriculture Dean Ruben L. Villareal laid the groundwork for PhilRice’s program plan and operations. In June 1987, PhilRice operations went full swing with the assumption to office of its first executive director, Dr. Santiago R. Obien. Before his appointment, Obien was president of the Mariano Marcos State University and director of the Philippine Tobacco Research and Training Center. With Dr. Obien at the helm, the executing committee was dissolved and a PhilRice-UPLB Management Committee was created to select UPLB staff members to be seconded to PhilRice as program leaders. The committee’s functions were gradually reduced as PhilRice was being organized.
PhilRice’s headquarters, originally located at UPLB Campus, could not meet the envisioned manpower and program expansion. Thus, upon the suggestion of Prof. Kenzo Hemmi, IRRI BOT chair, PhilRice sought infrastructure and technical assistance from the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Ramon V. Mitra, Carlos G. Dominguez, and Senen C. Bacani, secretaries of agriculture, strongly supported the idea. Through board resolution in March 1990, the Maligaya Rice Research and Training Center in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, which was previously merged with PhilRice, officially became the Central Experiment Station.

Recent

On September 28, 2005, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave PhilRice a US$ 800,000 grant for biotechnology research into rice with higher beta-carotene, vitamin E, iron, and protein amounts to aiding micronutrient deficiency in Third World countries like the Philippines. Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita and the University of Freiburg which heads the Gates Foundation's Grand Challenges in Global Health Program, has matched the Gates Foundation's grant with funding into PhilRice's biotech laboratories, a radioisotope laboratory, and screenhouses for testing the modified rice.
On December 4, 2006, the Philippine Rice Research Institute was certified by Technischer Überwachungsverein as an Integrated Management Systems compliant organization covering ISO 14001 series 2004 for Environmental Management; ISO 9001 series 2008 for Quality Management; and OHSAS 18001 series 2007 for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment.
In February 2013, the research institute was awarded with US$ 100,000 from the Arab Gulf Programme for Development, a non-profit development organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The institute was awarded for its program that helps farmers and agriculture professionals in providing them information in an open academy. The project also provides assistance through mobile messaging, thereby allowing the institute to reach more farmers in the country.

Organization

The board of trustees is composed of twelve members representing all sectors and stakeholders of the rice industry. The membership to the board is done through the appointments of the President of the Philippines. Currently, the board is composed of Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who also sits as the ex-officio chairperson; Senen C. Bacani, representing the agribusiness community; Dr. Gelia T. Castillo and CMU President Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven, both representing the science community; Herculano C. Co, Jr. of grains business sector; Winston C. Corvera of the farming sector; Thelma G. Domingo and Edicia G. Della Torre, both from the consumer sector; Jose S. Concepcion, Jr. of the business community; and Dr. Teodoro C. Mendoza of the academic community. Dr. Castillo has been a member of the board of trustees since it was first formed.

Programs

The Philippine Rice Research Institute has numerous interdisciplinary programs which develops and promotes technologies that are ecosystem-based, location- and problem-specific, and profitable to the Filipino farmers. The interdisciplinary programs were as follows: Direct-seeded irrigated lowland rice, Transplanted irrigated lowland rice, Hybrid rice, Rice for adverse environments, Rice-based farming systems, Rice and rice-based products, Policy research and advocacy, and Technology promotion.
The Research Institute also carried the seven R&D program structure from 1987 to 1998. These were Rice Varietal Improvement, Planting and Fertilizer Management, Integrated Pest Management, Rice-based Farming Systems, Rice Engineering and mechanization, Rice Chemistry and Food Science, and Social Science and Policy Research. A change to its R&D structure was implemented from 1998 to 2005. Each multidisciplinary R&D program was carried by the different discipline-based divisions and each division participated in each R&D programs, as follows: Policy Research and Advocacy, Technology Promotion, Rice and Rice-based Products, Rice-Based Farming systems for Fragile Environment, Hybrid Rice, Transplanted Irrigated Lowland Rice, Direct Seeded Irrigated Lowland Rice, and Environmental Sustainability & Management.

National

PhilRice partners with local research institutions such as DOST-PCARRD and the DA-BAR in planning, monitoring, and reviewing R&D activities.
PhilRice also coordinates the National Rice R&D Network, a formal and functional structure of 57 strategically located agencies, working toward a common goal of sustained self-sufficiency in rice. Two of these are designated as national research centers, six as branch stations representing the country's major rice-growing zones, 14 as regional research centers, as 35 as cooperating stations. Within the network are groups that address specific R&D areas such as the rice varietal improvement, technology promotion, rice mechanization, and SeedNet.
National Research Centers
Department of Agriculture
Regional Field Units
Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers
Seed Farms/Outreach Stations
Bureau of Agricultural Research
Bureau of Agricultural Statistics
Agricultural Training Institute
Bureau of Soils and Water Management
Bureau of Plant Industry
BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services
National Agricultural and Fishery Council
National Irrigation Administration
National Food Authority
Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization
Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation
Department of Science and Technology
Advance Science Technology Institute
Food and Nutrition Research Institute
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
Department of Education
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Department of Agrarian Reform
Development Academy of the Philippines
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Provincial and Municipal Local Government Units
State Colleges and Universities
Non-Government/Private Organizations
Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance
Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development
Alalay sa Kaunlaran, Incorporated
Advanta Incorporated
Asia Rice Foundation
Bayer Crop Science Philippines
Beidahuang Seed Group
DevGen Philippines
Pioneer Hi-bred Phils, Inc
Philippine Foundation of Rural Broadcasters
Seedworks India Pvt. Ltd.
SL Agritech Corporation
Tulay sa Pag-unlad Incorporated
Philippine Insurers and Reinsurers Association
National Rice R&D Networks
National Research Centers
PhilRice Central Experiment Station, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna
Branch Stations
PhilRice Batac, MMSU Campus, Batac City, 2906 Ilocos Norte
PhilRice Isabela, San Mateo, 3318 Isabela
PhilRice Los Baños, UPLB Campus, College, 4031 Laguna
PhilRice Bicol, Batang, Ligao City, 4505 Albay
PhilRice Negros, Cansilayan, Murcia, 6129 Negros Occidental
PhilRice Agusan, Basilisa, RTRomualdez, 8611 Agusan del Norte
PhilRice Midsayap, Bual Norte, Midsayap, 9410 North Cotabato
Regional Research Centers
DA-Cordillera Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Rizal, Kalinga
DA-Ilocos Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Bacnotan, 2515 La Union
DA-Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Ilagan, 3300 Isabela
DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Magalang, 2011 Pampanga
DA-Bicol Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Pili, 4418 Camarines Sur
DA-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City
DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center, M. Velez St., 6000 Cebu City
DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Babatngon, Leyte
DA-Western Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Ipil, 7001 Zamboanga Sibugay
DA-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Malaybalay City 8719 Bukidnon
DA-Southern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Bago Oshiro, 8000 Davao City
DA-Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Kidapawan City, 9400 North Cotabato
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries -Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center, ORG Compound, 9600 Cotabato City
DA-Caraga Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Trento, 8505 Agusan del Sur
Cooperating Stations
Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Lagangilang, 2802 Abra
Benguet State University, La Trinidad, 2601 Benguet
Mariano Marcos State University, Batac City, 2906 Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Sta. Maria, 2705 Ilocos Sur
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Bacnotan, 2515 La Union
Pangasinan State University, Sta. Maria, 2440 Pangasinan
Isabela State University, Echague, 3309 Isabela
Quirino State College, Diffun, 3401 Quirino
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Bayombong, 3700 Nueva Vizcaya
Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, 3120 Nueva Ecija
Pampanga Agricultural College, Magalang 2011 Pampanga
Ramon Magsaysay Technological University, Iba, 2201 Zambales
Bulacan Agricultural State College, San Ildefonso, 3010 Bulacan
Tarlac College of Agriculture, Camiling, 2306 Tarlac
Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, Mandaon, 5411 Masbate
Aklan State University, Banga, 5601 Aklan
Capiz State University, Mambusao, 5807 Capiz
Central Philippine University, Jaro, 5000 Iloilo City
Eastern Samar State University, Borongan, 6800 Eastern Samar
Visayas State University, Baybay, 6521 Leyte
Central Mindanao University, Musuan 8710 Bukidnon
Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology, Claveria, 9004 Misamis Oriental
Mindanao State University, Marawi City, 9700 Lanao del Sur
University of Southern Mindanao, Kabacan, 9407 North Cotabato
DA-CAR-Research Outreach Station, Luna, 3813 Apayao
DA-Cagayan Valley Lowland and Marine-Research Outreach Station, Iguig, 3504 Cagayan
DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Lowland, San Manuel, 3011 Tarlac
DA-Experimental Farm for Crops, Naujan, 5204 Oriental Mindoro
DA-Bicol Experiment Station, Pili, 4418 Camarines Sur
DA-BPI-La Granja National Crops Research & Development Center, La Carlota City, 6310 Negros Occidental
DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Soil Water Research and Demonstration Station, Calanggaman, Ubay, 6315 Bohol
DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Bohol Experiment Station, Gabi, Ubay, 6315 Bohol
DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Agricultural Promotion Center, Dao, 6300 Tagbilaran City
DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station for Lowland Development, Abuyog, 6510 Leyte
DA-Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station for Lowland Development, Catubig, 6418 Northern Samar
Eastern Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Postharvest Technology Development, San Jorge, 6707 Western Samar
DA-Western Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, San Miguel, 7029 Zamboanga del Sur
DA-Bukidnon Agricultural Productivity Center, Dangcagan, Bukidnon
DA-CEMIARC for Upland and Lowland Development, Tupi, 9505 South Cotabato
DA-Central Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, Tacurong City, 9800 Sultan Kudarat
DA-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center-Research Outreach Station, Talacogon, 8510 Agusan Sur
Farmer Partners
Kalinga Hybrid Rice Seed Growers Multi- Purpose Cooperative, Tabuk, 3800 Kalinga
Tabuk Hybrid Rice Seed Growers Multi- Purpose Coooperative Inc., Tabuk, 3800 Kalinga
Isabela Seed Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc., Cauayan City, 3305 Isabela
Nueva Ecija Seed Growers Association, Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, 3119 Nueva Ecija
lloilo Integrated Seed Growers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative, La Paz, 5000 Iloilo City
Pototan Seed Growers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Pototan, 5008 Iloilo
Negros Occidental Accredited Seed Producers Cooperative, Bacolod City 6100 Negros Occidental
Southern Leyte Seed Growers' Association, St. Bernard, 6616 Southern Leyte
Davao Multi-Purpose Seed Producers' Cooperative, Inc., Tagum City, 8100 Davao del Norte
Davao del Sur Seed Producers' Cooperative, Inc., Digos City, 8002 Davao del Sur
Davao Oriental Seed Producers' Cooperative, Banaybanay, 8208 Davao Oriental
Seed to Rice Producers Cooperative, Lupon, Davao Oriental
South Cotabato Seed Producers' Cooperative, Koronadal City 9506 South Cotabato
Binhian ng Timug Kutabato Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Surallah 9512 South Cotabato

International

PhilRice conducts joint RD&E activities with international donor agencies such as the following:
Asia Rice Foundation
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Enertime SAS, France
German Development Cooperation
International Atomic Energy Agency
International Rice Research Institute
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, Germany
Nagoya University, Japan
Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea
RDA- Korean Project on International Agriculture
Korea International Cooperation Agency
Sarmap S.A., Switzerland
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture

Externally Funded Projects

PhilRice implements a number of R&D projects funded by foreign donors, such as the following:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for Golden Rice Development
JICA
GTZ
EC-FAO
Korea RDA
DOST-PCARRD
Office of Senator Edgardo J. Angara.
The Institute also implements the “Rolling Out Techno Gabay Rice Program for Sufficient Food on the Table. Sub-Program 3: S&T-Based Farms on Rice Production in Selected Irrigated and Rainfed Areas&” and “STBF on Increasing Yield through Utilization of Quality Rice Seeds of Recommended Varieties&” in partnership with Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development, local government units, and Magsasakang Siyentista.

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