The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), held a Basic Rice Production Training for National Irrigation Administration—Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS) personnel in Nueva Ecija.

The one-week training was held in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija from 20 to 24 October 2025 and aims to train NIA and irrigators associations on how rice is produced by farmers.

According to Deputy Executive Director Karen Eloisa Barroga, the training imparted not just technological know-how to the 26 participants but also the idea that they need purpose, perseverance and heart.

The training is based on the PalayCheck System and deepens participants’ understanding of proper crop management — from preparing a proper seedbed and using plastic drum seeders and manual seeding machines, to identifying diseases and pests that affect rice farms.

“Naging favorite ko talaga ‘yung field activities namin dahil hands-on ang mga tagapagsanay sa PhilRice. Actual experience ang mararanasan mo, kaya kailangang disiplinado,” said Jerra Mikka Duldulao, irrigators development officer.

This initiative is part of the close collaboration between PhilRice and the National Irrigation Administration in disseminating new technologies that can help sustain the quality of palay, increase harvest output and lower the production cost of rice.