The Philippines
October 29, 2025
Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is reminding farmers in Region 1 (Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan) to adopt rice science and technologies that are resilient to typhoons, following the devastation caused by Typhoon Nando in several provinces.
According to a report released by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), the region suffered P98.9 million worth of crop and irrigation damages, with Ilocos Norte hardest hit.
Most of the losses came from rice crops and damaged irrigation systems.
Dr. Mary Ann U. Baradi, branch director of PhilRice in Ilocos Norte, said that farmers can take several measures to prevent or lessen the impacts of strong typhoons.
“Planting early-maturing and stress-tolerant rice varieties that can recover from submergence is one of the first steps farmers can take during the wet season. By matching suitable varieties to local conditions, farmers can regain yield potential sooner and minimize losses,” she said.
Baradi emphasized the importance of mechanization and proper postharvest handling for faster recovery. Technologies such as mechanical transplanters, seeders, and bamboo-bin dryers—promoted under PhilRice Blockbusters’ Teknolohiya’y PALAYwakin! campaign—enable farmers to plant on time and dry grains efficiently despite intermittent rains. These interventions help reduce production costs, minimize postharvest losses, and maintain grain quality.
To address long-term vulnerability, PhilRice also promotes innovations that can withstand weather disturbances. Among these are the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology, which conserves water and prevents yield loss during drought or irrigation disruption, and nutrient management decision-support tools such as the Minus-One-Element Technique (MOET) App and Leaf Color Chart (LCC), which guide farmers in the timely and appropriate application of fertilizers for healthier crops.
Baradi also encouraged farmers to follow the PalayCheck System, a step-by-step guide for proper crop management from planting to postharvest.
“These technologies do not just help farmers recover—they help them become more resilient. We aim to make rice farming in Region 1 more efficient, cost-effective, and climate-resilient so that typhoons like Nando will have a smaller impact on farmers’ livelihoods,” she said.
Topics
Species
