RP to import 1.6-M tons of rice

The Philippines will continue to import rice and corn this year despite increased production targets, Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said yesterday.

In a press briefing, Yap said the DA, through the National Food Authority (NFA), plans to import 1.6 million metric tons of rice and one to 1.5 million MT of corn this year.

This will be on top of the targeted rice production for 2008 of 17.3 million MT or a projected growth of 5.78 percent.

Corn production is projected to grow 10 percent to 7.3 million MT this year.

Yap said, DA is strengthening its rice growing program, identifying and increasing the utilization of irrigated land rather than relying on rain-fed land.

Higher world prices for corn, Yap pointed out, would temper corn importation this year while more farmers are expected to shift to corn production to take advantage of the higher prices.

Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) rice program executive director Frisco Malabanan had said that  growth drivers this year would  include the restoration of irrigation systems, expansion of genetic material and provisions for post harvest facilities.

Yap said DA is embarking on various programs to increase and improve production of the two commodities.

Malabanan earlier said the DA aims to raise rice production to 19 million metric tons by 2010.

Actual rice production for 2007 amounted to 16.24 million MT for a growth of 5.96 percent.