For 19 years now, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been pushing rice awareness to emphasize the importance of increased rice production in attaining food sufficiency in the country.
This was underscored by DA Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban in his keynote speech during the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) 2023 kick-off activity held in Iloilo City.
Panganiban cited that rice production in the country has significantly increased in 2023 compared to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in the previous year.
Data from PSA shows that the country has achieved a production of nine million metric tons (MMT) from January to June 2023. This figure surpasses the 8.7 MMT produced in the corresponding period last year.
As of September 2023, the country’s total rice inventory grew by 6.6 percent, from 1.45 MMT in the same period last year.
He noted that the favorable growth shows the effectiveness of government programs in enhancing the competitiveness of the rice sector.
“This only implies that the policies and programs pushed by the DA are effective in making rice farmers more competitive as well as in increasing the production of rice. This also translates to a more affordable rice for the Filipino consumers,” Panganiban said.
He attributes the production increase to the gradual adoption of new farming practices, technologies, and provision of various interventions by the DA and attached bureaus to the farmers.
Panganiban also asserted that with the recent installation of the new DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., the present administration’s primary direction still rests on helping the farmers increase their yield and income through their rice produce.
“The directive of the President stands still — to change the ways in DA in extending services to the people through his administration. This time, our new secretary will guide and gather information from the DA personnel on how to expand rice production,” Panganiban added.
He also enjoined the public’s cooperation as the government continues to enhance its initiatives in addressing the supply and demand of rice and in ensuring that no grain of rice will be wasted, as they are the product of the efforts of our rice farmers.
Meanwhile, DA Regional Executive Director Dennis Arpia said that despite the high palay production volume in Western Visayas, farmers’ yield per hectare as well as income remain low.
With this, Arpia acknowledged that everyone must further their efforts in addressing the low-income farmers and likewise lessen rice importation.
“Ito po ay panawagan sa lahat ng sektor na tayo ay magtulungan. Magsinop tayo sa pagkonsumo ng bigas at kanin, tangkilikin ang produkto ng mga lokal na magsasaka,” he stressed.
To note, the observance of National Rice Awareness Month every November is pursuant to Proclamation 524, series of 2004, advocating responsible rice consumption to show respect for farmers’ hard work and helping the country achieve rice self-sufficiency. (PIA-6)