By: Celso M. Cajucom

(PhilRice Team)

SCIENCE City of Muñoz – The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) was honored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during its Global Technical Recognition Ceremony on October 15, 2025.

The recognition was for PhilRice’s satellite-based tool, the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM), and was part of the World Food Forum and FAO’s 80th anniversary celebrations in Singapore.

Executive Director John de Leon of PhilRice thanked partners International Rice Research Institute, the Department of Agriculture, regional field offices, National Rice Program and all Local Government Units for their steadfast collaboration and support, sharing the prestigious award with them.

Among nearly 300 global nominees, PhilRice remarkable as one of just 39 institutions commended for their groundbreaking work in transforming cropping systems over the last four (4) decades.

The International Data Corporation (IDC) in Singapore, recognized PRiSM’s efforts in excellence in improving the sustainability of plant production and protection, and the project reportedly won in six different categories.

Prism serves as a crucial tool for policymakers and agriculturists, helping to match production activities with planting situations and enabling the projection of monthly supply needs. according to PhilRice’s communication and information team.

It is the Southeast Asia’s first satellite-based rice monitoring system developed through a broad partnership to accurately track rice production.

The system’s real-time data provided crucial support of policymakers, financial interventions to offset potential losses in palay production and integrating a combination of technologies by tracking of rice cultivation.

This technologies on satellite data, remote sensing, geographic information systems GIS, and crop modeling, generate critical information along with data estimated yields of production losses from floods and droughts, pest including disease outbreaks.

On the other hand, in FAO- Global recognition has spanned of five domains of sustainable plant production and protection such as management of crop germplasm, development and adoption of improved crop varieties, advancements in agronomic practices, plant health management, and technology transformation and promotion.

According to Yurdi Yasmi, Director of FAO’s plant production and protection division, the awardees are enabling farmers to “produce more with less.” This sustainable approach, she said, is vital for feeding both today’s population and those in the generations to come.

Chikelu Mba, deputy director of FAO, that the event designed not only to honor scientific and technological achievement, but also to raise awareness of effective strategies as the goal is to see these successful practices replicated worldwide for greater impact.

Director De Leon, however, expressed his pride in PRiSM’s development, saying its success reflects a deep commitment that transcends technology in the country.

“The remarkable growth and maturity of PRiSM, has demonstrate a commitment that goes beyond mere data and technology as well as a widespread application that has now provides on effective support to transforming our rice and rice-based food systems, leading on sustainable resources with resilient agricultural practices.

“Para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas, Mabuhay!” said De Leon reflects the PhilRice’s mission and its support for the Prosperous New Philippine’s initiative, a key part of the current administration’s agenda. (Celso Cajucom/PhilRice)