By Kenneth Marcos 
Morning sun warmed the fields across the country, but the real growth was happening in boardrooms and cooperative halls. Rice farmers, once limited to small-scale operations, now have a national platform to reach more buyers and earn better income.
The Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) officially launched the RiceBIS Magsasaka Network (RMN) on November 25 during the 37th Ugnay Palay National Rice R4D Conference. The initiative brings together over 50 farmer cooperatives under a unified brand to promote locally produced, high-quality, and safe rice.
Part of Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) 2.0, the RMN seeks to transform farmers into agripreneurs by connecting them to value-added markets that pay premium prices. Through the RMN seal, consumers can easily identify rice that is certified safe and locally sourced, giving farmers a stronger foothold in competitive markets.
“By uniting cooperatives under one umbrella, the RMN provides a clear mark of quality. This not only helps farmers increase their yields but also links them to markets that value healthy, premium rice products,” said Dr. Diadem B. Gonzales-Esmero, RiceBIS Program leader.
The launch highlighted the critical role of farmer cooperatives, represented by groups such as Pinagbuklod na Adhika Multipurpose Cooperative, Zaragoza People’s Agriculture Cooperative, Batitang Agriculture Cooperative, Sintorisan-Behia SWISA Farmers Association, Marasat-Dagupan Rice BIS Agriculture Cooperative, and Rayuray Farmers Agriculture Cooperative.
Farmers shared success stories. Aileen T. Galanta of Esperanza RiceBIS Producers Cooperative in Agusan del Sur said their earnings increased from five to six digits as their cooperative now delivers around 20,000 bags of certified inbred seeds per cropping season. Cresencio Tomas of Zanjera Sto. Niño Agriculture Cooperative in Ilocos Norte reported growth from barely a thousand pesos to over one hundred thousand pesos thanks to RiceBIS support.
The network also engages institutional buyers such as AGREA Agricultural Systems International, corporate partners like Megaworld Corporation, and organizations including Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District. PhilRice, DA, and Nutriskwela Radio Broadcasters Association Inc. provide technical, institutional, and promotional support to strengthen the network.
During the event, RiceBIS products—including PhilGAP-certified rice, pigmented rice, rice brew, brown rice krispies, rice kropek, and glutinous rice—were handed over to partners for promotion. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed, marking a formal commitment to support the network.
The launch also introduced the “I Love Pilipinong Magsasaka” campaign, encouraging the public to purchase RMN products. “Each purchase is more than just a transaction—it’s a step toward securing safe, healthy rice for families while helping farmers increase their income and supporting sustainable rice farming,” said Dr. Hazel V. Antonio, lead of the RiceBIS Marketing Project.
RiceBIS 2.0 has assisted 53 farmers’ cooperatives in accessing over PhP140 million in grants, transportation, facilities, and machinery support. Farmers’ incomes have grown by more than PhP30 million through the program.
“With RMN, we aim to help cooperatives promote their products and achieve sustained income growth. Consumer support will not only benefit their families’ health and safety but also the long-term future of Philippine rice farming,” Esmero concluded.
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