By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo yesterday said they are aiming to increase the output of their rice production amid fears of a global food shortage that is expected to hit sometime between the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023.

According to Yulo, he reminded rice farmers that their produce should always be improved on a per hectare basis.

“Our standard ta di is four tons per hectare, through the years may 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 [tons] indi ta dapat mag-untat da, dapat lab-uton ta gid kay Thailand is producing eight tons per hectare,” he pointed out.

Every year, Yulo said they are being recognized by the Department of Agriculture because of their consistency in rice production and by strengthening the output of their agricultural products.

“It’s only there nga makasigurado ka sang food security mo, kag competitive ang farmer, that is an incentive for the farmer,” Yulo said.

Bago City is also offering support services to rice producers in the city in terms of technology, certified seeds, and equipment for modern practices.

The mayor added there are no other solutions in reaching their goal of increasing rice production output but mechanizing their rice industry.

Bago City currently supplies at least a third or around 27 to 30 percent of the province’s rice needs./DGB, WDJ