Rice imports lower by 20% next year

The level of rice imports next year is likely to be lower by 20 percent to 1.35 million metric tons (MT) as rice production for 2006 is projected to hit a record high of 15.4 million MT.

"Assuming rice production hits 15.4 million tons, imports next year can go down by at least 300,000 tons from this year’s import volume of 1.65 million tons," said Gregorio Tan Jr., administrator of the National Food Authority (NFA).

The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) program director for rice Frisco Malabanan said that with the abundance of rains along with the program interventions of the department will make it possible to achieve the 15.4 million MT target.

"The volume is highly attainable barring any freak weather that could reverse the situation," said Malabanan.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban said the La Niña rains are boosting efforts to increase rice production with the January to September palay harvest projected to reach an all-time high of about 9.6 million MT.

"Based on the projections of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, palay production in the first three quarters would be at historical highs on a per quarter basis," said Panganiban.

Rice production in the first quarter hit 3.6 million MT, seven percent higher than the output for the same period in 2005, while the second quarter yield was projected to hit 2.9 million MT. Third quarter production is projected at 16 percent higher than the 3.1 million MT in 2005.

Tan said earlier that aside from generally favorable weather, the projected higher yields could be attributed to increased support for inputs such as hybrid and certified rice seeds, improved irrigation and judicious use of both organic and chemical fertilizers.

"We have also noticed that more farmers are shifting to hybrid rice and as a result, are harvesting more palay, while others expanded their hectarage to take advantage of the rainfall," noted Tan.