BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental drew closer to its goal of becoming rice sufficient with production hitting 95 percent of its target last year.

With rice production in the province nearing almost half a million metric tons, the province is now capable of feeding its own people, according to Gov. Isidro Zayco.

Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan reported that the province’s rice production in 2008 reached 474,521 metric tons, which was 5 percent higher than the 425,112 MT produced in 2007, or 95 percent of the goal set for the year.

While Negros Occidental would continue to locally push for higher production, Zayco said the Department of Agriculture should also continue to provide assistance and focus on boosting rice self-sufficiency nationwide to prevent price increases this year.

Rice prices are likely to rise sharply for the second year in 2009 as the effects of the global economic recession start to be felt by farmers and consumers, the International Rice Research Institute has warned.

The worldwide credit crunch will make it hard for farmers to secure cash to purchase essentials such as seeds and fertilizer, the IRRI was quoted as saying.

In 2007, Negros Occidental was ranked the 11th biggest rice-producing province in the country, Tabianan said. The rankings for 2008 have yet to be released.

Majority of Negros Occidental farmers have also taken advantage of the rains and have started planting rice this month that could help boost rice production for the province, Zayco said.