In response to ongoing agricultural challenges, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) emphasized the importance of scaling research for development (R4D) innovations during its 36th Ugnay Palay National Rice Research and Development Conference, Dec. 3-5. The event, themed “Advancing Rice R4DE para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas (Advancing Rice R4DE for a Prosperous New Philippines),” featured a panel discussion on “Scaling R4D Innovations.” Dr. Karen Eloisa T. Barroga, PhilRice deputy executive director for development, highlighted the Institute’s successful partnerships with public and private organizations, such as the Bank of the Philippine Islands Foundation, Inc., Mitsubishi, and Kiwanis International Philippine Luzon District, which have been pivotal in scaling agricultural innovations.“Along with these partnerships, we also optimize the potential of PhilRice’s branch stations to disseminate agricultural innovations, including machinery, rice varieties, and new farming techniques,” Barroga said.Dr. Junel B. Soriano, director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), noted that scaling R4D innovations is a priority for their agency, as it ensures the effective utilization of agricultural technologies.As the research agencies focus on technology scaling, Ramon T. Lim, PhilRice trustee, underscored the need for effective information dissemination to farmers. “We need to ensure that farmers not only have access to new innovations but also the adequate knowledge and support for these technologies to work on the ground,” Lim said.