DA sees 5.74% hike in 2008 rice output

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is projecting a 5.74 percent growth in rice production next year, based on a 16.2-million metric ton rice production target for 2007 and a P2.4 billion proposed budget for rice production-related activities.

In a press conference, Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) rice program director Frisco Malabanan said the DA is maintaining its 16.2-million MT rice production target this year.

Malabanan said the DA is optimistic that with a more than 100 percent planting accomplishment  under the quick turnaround program, the government would be able to make up for rice production losses during the extended dry spell.

He said more than 100,000 hectares have been planted under the QTA, surpassing the target of 88,000 hectares.

Harvest of the QTA production is expected to start mid-November and will last up to December this year.

Barring any further effect from forthcoming typhoons, Malabanan said the DA is maintaining its 16.2-million MT rice production target to date.

For 2007, Malabanan said, the DA allotted budget for rice production-related activities is only P1.78 billion.

Ideally, Malabanan said, the budget should be P3 billion to P4 billion to allow a full implementation of all rice production related activities such as irrigation, research and development, extension services, information campaign and policy support.

Of the annual budget allocation for rice production, Malabanan said, P500 million is allotted for hybrid rice seeds which helps increase production.

Since the adoption of the hybrid rice production by the government in 2001, the cumulative value of additional rice production as of August 2007 amounted to P13.9 billion, Malabanan said.

Without the use of hybrid rice seeds, the P13.9 billion would have been imported instead of locally produced, he added.