by Mercy Ramos-Gaño

Continuing their long-standing partnership to support farmers, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) once again joined the Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) Batac Station for its annual Lakbay Palay Wet Season activity on October 8, 2026, in Brgy. Tabug, Batac City.

With the theme "PhilRice’s Best: Handa Laban sa El Niño," the Lakbay Palay focused on climate resilience and adaptation to El Niño.  It aimed to enhance the knowledge and preparedness of farmers and other stakeholders through interactive learning and technology demonstrations.  It featured guided tours, institutional exhibits, farmer-partner testimonies, and Palay Talakayan, highlighting key R4DE initiatives and climate-ready technologies.

Showing the University's continuous support, MMSU displayed products, planting materials, and reading materials. Visitors at the MMSU booth bought university products such as black garlic, malunggay guipang, black garlic and malunggay cookies, sukang Iloco, and bamboo propagules.

To support local livelihood groups, MMSU also displayed products from partner farmers, including rice coffee, malunggay powder, turmeric tea, tanglad (lemongrass) juice, and dragon fruit products.

To help farmers cope with extreme weather, the booth featured short videos on "Heat Stress and Dehydration for Farmers" and "Hydrating Vegetables." Reading materials on crop and livestock production, including processing methods, were also provided to interested Lakbay Palay participants.

The activity highlights how the two agencies work together: while PhilRice focuses on high-yielding rice varieties and practices including farm equipment, MMSU adds value through food processing, crop diversification, and community training.

Other exhibitors included the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), private agricultural companies, and local farmer cooperatives.

During the closing ceremony, DA-PhilRice Batac Station Director Dr. Mary Ann U. Baradi awarded Certificates of Appreciation to MMSU and other partner groups in recognition of their continued support.

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