Aware of the need to provide intellectual leadership, the Division has also initiated some innovations in its services and products. Ricescapes in the PhilRice Magazine was also launched in 2014 to engage photographers to show their beautiful photos of the Philippine rice fields. In 2014, the Division launched the first Philippine version of the PhilRice magazine, a testament to our commitment to better serve the Filipino farmers.
The stations should also engage the immediate communities in various projects that the stations have as seen in the case of the Batac station. Results from these activities generated a wealth of data on the current state of the rice extension system, its future challenges and opportunities, suggestions for improvements in the current rice extensionists. Primarily, this is caused by the unclear relationship between the concept, especially RTM and Gusto Namin Milyonaryo Kayo itself.
Most studies have used quantitative methods focusing on the effects of FFS on pesticide use and yield. However, four were out of the country or moved to other cities while the study was being conducted. Most of the farmers gained new knowledge while attending the FFS on rice production from June 2011 to November 2011.
With two agricultural advisors from the Municipal Agriculture Office leading the FFS, the sessions strengthened farmers' knowledge on pest and disease control (75%), nutrient management and LCC use (44%), and varieties and certified seeds (44%). .
Exploration and field-testing of KSL-enhancing mechanisms
The fields are well leveled and after the final leveling there is no visible mound of earth above the water level. Established partnership with the National Museum, National Commission for Culture and Arts, Museo Pambata, National Museum Commission, KOPIA, PhilRice Foundation and Muñoz City of Science. This was accomplished by researching the most effective rice/agricultural education techniques and children's literature and consulting with 1st and 2nd grade students of Maligaya Elementary School (public school) and San Sebastian School (private school) in Muñoz City of Science, Nueva Ecija.
Several hours were spent looking at different types of storybooks among 75 children in two schools. This paved the way for brainstorming/story building, character development, layout concept and pacing. After weaving the children's story concept, their teachers were also interviewed to understand which rice conservation values are most important to convey to the children.
With their first-hand experience of communicating with children, they were able to suggest effective techniques for writing the story. Both Grade 1 and 2 students preferred the "big book" (about 22" x 28" in size) for ease of reading, appreciation of illustration,. The activities section of the book was found to be essential in strengthening the moral story of the book.
Development and Pilot-testing of KSL Activities for REIs
The KSL featured the viewing of the three agricultural videos, Rice TeknoKlinik of various ICT-based resources/tools, field tour and a commitment ceremony. This includes engaging the REIs as resource persons during the AgriSurvivors module of the training, providing them with printed promotional materials of ICT-based resources/tools that they can give away to clients and copies of agricultural videos that they can use during their activities with farmers;. Based on participants' feedback on the activity, other KSL activities are now also being designed for other REI groups.
Improving access to rice information in Region III (RFU III-funded)
The reasons for those who did not take advantage include not receiving price advice because harvest was on a Sunday, kan suki/sanay na, and owed to buyers. The use of a price advisory system entailed costs on software or system and manpower, and required active involvement of farmer registrants with the PTC and millers/traders providing price quotations. Providing better information support to farmers by exploiting other possible leads, (Seed/Agricultural stock dealers as information channels).
However, this has not proven to be sufficient to address the information poverty faced by many farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to continue with innovations on how to bring technologies closer to farmers. This is based on the fact that most farmers visit seed centers for various reasons.
Interviews elicited the seed centers' (1) ability to deliver information, (2) willingness to share information, and (3) innovation to maximize information sharing. The seed centers' capacity to deliver information was measured in terms of their profile, experience in rice farming or seed cultivation, and store's marketing reach. Although the seed center owners recognize the usefulness of the material and are willing to share the brochure, they have not innovated to maximize information sharing.
This study investigated the use of Community Welfare and Training Service students to help disseminate information on cost-reducing and yield-increasing technologies on rice. Thorough identification of participating areas for proper planning, which is crucial, especially as students are not yet used to doing community-based tasks.
Application and promotion of field-tested KSL practices
Engagement of and support to the schools
Promoting rice science for development through strategic use of communication media
PhilRice's new corporate strategic plan, guided by the credo of promoting clean, green, practical and smart technologies for competitive, sustainable and resilient rice-based farming communities (CleanGPS for CSR), brings new possibilities and challenges in advancing rice science and -technology as well as new avenues for development interventions. It has often been said, what good are the results/products of rice science if they are not communicated effectively, especially to the intended users. With the operationalization of the new corporate plan, the Division finds it important to use strategic communication.
This activity aimed to develop and produce knowledge products in various formats that meet the needs and preferences of specific end-users to enable them to appreciate and understand rice science and technology, emphasizing the benefits of Clean GPS for CSR. This year also launched the first Philippine edition of the magazine (El Niño, . 'di na bago, kaya natin 'to!) in response to the El Nino ruling of PAGASA. This publication simplifies and synthesizes topics and findings in rice science to help craft decisions related to rice production and the use of technology.
It was distributed to members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, heads of government agencies and civil society groups. A new initiative, the development of an interactive multimedia form of the PhilRice magazine is expected to contribute more in the effective sharing of knowledge about rice farming, and to arouse the interest of more Internet surfers to read the e download and/or share. -file of the magazine. At PhilRice, campaigns such as on hybrid rice technology and rodent management have been conducted on different scales in the past.
With the Institute's efforts to raise awareness of how rice science is used for development, information campaigns and exhibitions are two strategic communication media that can be used. The purpose of the study is to design and execute information campaigns and exhibitions that promote and support specific and diverse uses of CleanGPS for CSR and to carry out activities in support of the Golden Rice project. 3 Billboards (Palayamanan, Clean GPS for CSR and El Nino'y di nab since, kaya natin 'to!) were produced and distributed to the PhilRice branch station.
To facilitate the promotion of rice science and technologies, this component aims to effectively manage and maintain various rice knowledge repositories to facilitate better service delivery to PhilRice customers. Designed and developed web pages for online service request form (SRF) and rate-us feature to solve the problem of monitoring and easy access to communication services;. The department has tied up with some major broadcast media in the country such as ABS-CBN, DZRH and GMA 7 to expand the reach of the Institute in speaking about its advocates.
Some of the most popular topics in 2014 were about climate change (especially El Niño-ready rice varieties); rice smuggling, Gusto Namin Milyonaryo Kayo campaign, and BeRiceponsible (Responsible rice consumption).'. RQCS – Rice Quality Classification Software RS4D – Rice Science for Development RSO – rice sufficiency officer RFL – Rainfed lowland RTV – rice tungro virus.
