LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – Leaders from government, academe, industry, and farming communities gathered at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) on 8 August 2025, for a seminar-workshop focused on strengthening policy support for Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) technology. The event, co-organized by Bayer CropScience Philippines, SEARCA, and the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture (PPSA), highlighted DSR as a crucial strategy for making the country’s rice production more sustainable and resilient to climate change.
The seminar addressed the critical challenges facing the Philippine rice sector, including labor shortages, rising production costs, and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water consumption.
“The DSR system is a promising innovation to reduce production costs, improve water efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance farmer livelihoods,” said Dr. Nur Azura binti Adam, SEARCA Deputy Director for Programs.
Traditional transplanted rice is highly labor and water-intensive, accounting for nearly 50% of production costs. In contrast, DSR offers a climate-smart alternative that can reduce water use by up to 40%, cut GHG emissions by 45%, and lower labor costs by half.
“This is not just a technique but a solution,” said Mr. Cyrus Isles, Public Affairs Head for Bayer CropScience, speaking on behalf of Ms. Nisha Sharma. “It’s not just about growing more, it’s about growing better with less impact, more resilience, and greater value for every Filipino.”
While direct seeding is already used in nearly half of the country’s rice areas, its full potential remains untapped. Deputy Director Ralph Alan Ceniza of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between traditional methods and sustainable technologies. “We must bridge the gap between traditional methods and sustainable technologies by engaging farmers, building capacity, and providing economic benefits,” he noted.
The seminar featured presentations from leading experts, including Dr. John De Leon of the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Dr. Virender Kumar from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), who shared insights and successful implementation models from Asia. A Tarlac farmer, Mr. Christian Lexcher Cainglet, also shared his first-hand experience, calling DSR a matter of “survival” due to its ability to save labor, cut costs, and adapt to climate extremes.
Following the presentations, stakeholders collaborated in a World Café session to identify key barriers to DSR adoption and develop concrete policy recommendations. These included site-specific technology packaging, sustained funding for research and development, and the creation of a comprehensive DSR Development Plan. The event concluded with field demonstrations of innovative technologies, such as mechanized and drone-assisted sowing, reinforcing the theme of “planting smarter.”
“The future of DSR in the Philippines is bright,” said Dr. Gerlie Tatlonghari, SEARCA Program Head for Research and Thought Leadership. “Let us champion it not just as a technical shift, but as a strategic move toward transforming Philippine agriculture into a more sustainable, resilient, and empowering sector.”
The event marks a significant step toward mainstreaming DSR and strengthening multi-sector collaboration to address the complex challenges of food security and climate change.
