New rice varieties eyed to boost production by 2027 wet season
Two farmers haul rice seedlings from a nursery to a leveled field in Morong, Bataan. Rice transplanting is a common method in Asia for establishing uniform stands, giving crops a head start over weeds, and achieving higher yields, done either manually or by machine.
Jonas Reyes
The new varieties of rice that are being tested by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) thru its Variety Field Trials (VFT), are expected to boost the country’s production once distributed to farmers during 2027’s wet season.
According to PhilRice, there are 173 of the 180 target VFT sties in the whole country since 2025’s wet season, and among these sites, 60 VFT sites were able to produce new varieties of rice.
Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, 78 provinces tried 15 inbred rice varieties to ensure that seeds are suitable for the local soil, climate conditions, and needs of the farmers.
VFT focal person Justine Ragos explained that this provides farmers a chance to select their variety of rice that is most suitable for their farmland.
One of the new seeds, he said, conforms to the harvest of the popular NSIC Rc 222 that has great quality. The trials compared the NSIC Rc 600–700 inbred series and the current varieties used and favored by farmers.
Also included in the rice varieties that are undergoing testing are those recommended for the region and the whole country.
PhilRice branch stations are currently conducting VFT Field Days wherein they invite farmers, local government officials, and seed growers to observe and check the performance of each variety. Their feedback will be used as basis for the local seed selection workshop.
Ragos also revealed that farmers relay to them that the distributed rice is not compatible to their needs. Thru the VFT, farmers now have the chance to select a suitable variety based on harvest, farm performance, and quality of seeds that they witnessed.
The chosen variety will then be mass produced by seed growers for the 2027 dry season, and will be distributed to farmers before the start of the wet season, based on the actual results of trials and needs of farmers.
The RCEF Seed Program urged interested farmers to coordinate with their local governments to take part in VFT Field Days conducted in their areas.
Thru VFT, PhilRice continues to strengthen the collaboration between farmers, local government, and research institutes to push for the use of certified inbred seeds suitable for local conditions and needs of the Filipino farmers.