Gov’t to achieve rice sufficiency in 2016—PCAARRD

Farmers plant rice at Barangay Balinad, Polangui town in Albay. At the background, the majestic Mayon Volcano. Rice is the most important food crop, a staple food in the Philippines.INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—To reduce rice importation and be self-sufficient by 2016.

These are the major goals of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Research Development (PCAARRD), as revealed in a recent Sunday guesting on “Pananaw” on Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.

Hosted by Mayor Angelito Sarmiento and Pilita Dayang, the topics discussed were the Rice Industry Strategic Plan, the “Earn While You Earn” project and the Angel Market Square project.

All focus on having self-sustaining agricultural livelihood projects in the countryside.

PCAARRD is headed by executive director Dr. Patricio S. Faylon. During the program, she was represented by Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, director for crops research division (CRD) of PCAARRD.

“Our goal is self-sufficiency in rice production so as to reduce importation,” said Dr. Eusebio.

She added PCAARRD has a long term project until 2020 but to achieve the goal of President Benigno Aquino III, she said they devised a medium term plan up to 2016. “We called it ‘P-Noy Rice On the Rise.
she said. P-Noy is the preferred nickname of President Aquino, whose term ends in 2016.

She said the goal is for the farmers to have locally sourced quality seeds and to reduce post-harvest losses, which means drying and milling efficiency.

She said PhilRice will provide access to quality seeds and capacity-building. “It means providing training to plant and harvest these crops properly.”

Program host Sarmiento said the ultimate goal is to supply locally produced quality rice to 99 million Filipinos before the term of Aquino ends.

For more educational topics on agriculture and other issues, listen to “Pananaw” every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.