As part of the celebration of the 50^th year creation of IR8, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol and Philippine Rice Research Institute Executive Director Sailila Eslilong Abdula join the ceremonial planting of IR8 at the Zeigler Experiment Station at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna on November 29, 2016. IR8, also known as the miracle variety, has a short growth duration and a high-yield capacity related to its response to nitrogen fertilizer. In his speech, Piñol stressed the importance of benchmarking the competitiveness of Filipino farmers in achieving the country’s food sufficiency despite challenges in PH agriculture. (Photos by Gian Carlo Luague, DA-AFID)