Rice To Rise In Philippines
22 February 2006 Rice production is on the rise in 2006/07 in the Philippines as the government pursues rice self-sufficiency through increased use of hybrid rice seeds, better irrigation, and adequate and timely funding, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA-FAS). Both maize and wheat are expected to lose ground to the re-focusing of the country on rice.
Rising consumer prices will result in a surge in rice consumption in 2005/06 through 2006/07 due to decrease in demand for meats and vegetables and other food grains, including wheat and corn.
According to preliminary data from the Philippine Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (DA-BAS), Philippine rice and corn harvests in 2005 reached 14.6 million metric tons (MMT) and 5.3 MMT, respectively.
In order for the government to fulfill its goal of rice self-sufficiency for the country, an estimated 500,000 hectares hybrid rice area is needed. Last year, hybrid rice planted area is estimated to have reached 365,000 hectares, up from roughly 230,000 hectares in 2004.
The new Agriculture Secretary, Mr. Domingo F. Panganiban, has projected that rice self-sufficiency (95%) could possibly be attained by 2009. Secretary Panganiban, however, emphasizes the need to provide adequate and timely irrigation, good seeds, and funding support to the rice sector, reports USDA-FAS.
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