DA urged farmers to plant high quality of rice variety amid of liberal imports

Department of Agriculture is encouraging farmers to plant high quality of rice variety. This is to develop “good eating quality” and “aromatic” varieties amid of more liberal imports of rice intended for low-cost markets.

DA Secretary Piñol urged to use RC 160, RC 218, RC 300 as strategies in facing the surge of import rice. Moreover, he also noted that the price of this high quality of rice variety is a lot higher than ordinary palay which usual cost Php P14 to P15 per kilo.

“RC 160 rice can command P22 to P25 per kilo at farmgate level,” Secretary Piñol said.

As cited in the report of Business World, in the early period of March, Rice Tariffication will be enacted. Hence, rice imports from private sectors and producers outside the Philippines can freely import.

Importantly, the 35% tariffication provide affordability for consumers, regulate inflation, and significantly, generate revenue that will help local farmers in subsidizing inputs and be more competitive in the market.

Measures of Rice Tariffication Law

The implementation of the tariffication law deemed to abandon its 100% aim to make the country a 100% self-sufficient in producing rice and turned to a 93% share for local produce.

“The influx of imported rice may affect the prices of rice in the market and further dampen the buying price of palay,” the secretary stated.

DA plans to develop organic rice variety which can be exported. This is to create a market for the surplus production of rice.

Despite of the measures of the law, Piñol stated that the rice industry is afraid that corrupt officials may gain advantages from the creation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The said fund aims in collecting 10 billion a year to develop mechanization and assist farmers for financial inputs.

Piñol ensured that rice farmers will be granted seeds and fertilizers as a support that the president ordered. However, the funds lack in supporting the Filipino farmers.

Source:

Agri dep’t steering farmers to plant high-end rice