The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said the government’s current goal of 97.5 percent rice self-sufficiency by 2028 is possible with the provision of input support to convince farmers about using hybrid rice varieties.
Eduardo Guillen, NIA acting administrator, said at the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday the provision of assistance and input support should be done at the right time.
“We cannot convince a lot of farmers to use hybrid rice because of the high cost of input and it also requires more water and fertilizer. However, if the assistance is available, we can convince them to plant hybrid during the dry season,” Guillen said.
Guillen added NIA is capable of providing irrigation during the dry season and will collaborate with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to deliver the required assistance in a timely manner.
NIA added other agencies such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute can provide the variety of rice fit to be planted in certain areas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as concurrent DA secretary, presided over a Convergence Meeting for Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP) which aims to raise the level of production of important commodities including rice.
The MRIDP also aims to strengthen the value chain from the farmers up to the consumers.
It will pool resources, share knowledge and coordinate efforts of different government agencies to achieve sustainable rice production and increase farmer income.
The DA, NIA, the Department of Public Works and Highways and the private sector such as the Nature Tech Innovation Group and Go Negosyo formed alliances to support MRIDP.
Other agencies involved are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Bank of the Philippines, National Food Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, members of the House of Representatives and irrigators associations.
