The Philippines
December 23, 2025
The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) has successfully established 173 out of 180 trial sites nationwide for its Variety Field Trials (VFT), a key step toward selecting improved rice varieties that will be distributed to farmers starting the 2027 wet season.
Conducted under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program, the VFT is testing 15 inbred rice varieties across 78 provinces to ensure seeds are suited to local soil types, climatic conditions, and farmer preferences. Despite setbacks from typhoons and rodent infestations, 93% of target sites were established this 2025 wet season, with 69 sites already harvested.
“Farmers now have the opportunity to choose rice varieties that perform well in their own fields,” said Justine Ragos, VFT focal person. “One of the new varieties matches the yield of the popular NSIC Rc 222 and has favorable eating quality.”
The trials compare the NSIC Rc 600-700 inbred series with farmer-preferred varieties currently in use. Both regionally and nationally recommended varieties are included in the testing.
PhilRice branch stations are now conducting VFT Field Days, inviting farmers, local government officials, and seed growers to observe and evaluate the performance of each variety. Their feedback will be used to guide seed recommendations during local seed selection workshops.
“Farmers often express that the varieties distributed to them do not always match their preferences,” Ragos explained. “Through the VFT, they can select varieties based on yield, field performance, and grain characteristics they observe firsthand.”
Selected varieties will be multiplied by seed growers in time for the 2027 dry season, and distributed to farmers ahead of the wet season. This approach ensures that seeds provided are grounded in actual trial results and farmer demand.
The RCEF Seed Program invites farmers to participate in upcoming VFT Field Days in selected provinces. Interested participants may coordinate with their local government units.
Through the VFT, the program continues to strengthen collaboration among farmers, local governments, and research institutions, promoting the use of certified inbred seeds tailored to the needs and preferences of Filipino rice farmers nationwide.
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