Realignment of rice seed subsidy budget mulled

MANILA, Philippines - A realignment of the budget for seed subsidy will be proposed to support the new thrust of the government’s combined rice and corn programs.

This was disclosed to The STAR by Agriculture Assistant Secretary Dennis Araullo, who has recently been designated as national coordinator for rice and corn.

According to Araullo, the modernization of the rice milling industry, the repair and rehabilitation of existing irrigation facilities, and the improvement of seed storage facilities – are the three major thrust that he is proposing for the combined rice and corn program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

As part of his proposal, Araullo will also propose the creation of a special lending window under the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) for the modernization of the rice milling industry.

Araullo added that the DA would neither promote the increased use of certified rice seeds, nor discourage the use of high-yielding hybrid rice seeds, but will instead adopt a “farmers’ choice” in rice production.

Araullo used to be the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) director for corn, while Dr. Frisco Malabanan was the GMA director for rice.

With his new designation, Araullo now handles both the corn and rice program.

Dr. Malabanan, who was a staunch advocate of hybrid rice, has returned to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Araullo’ s three main thrust – which are irrigation, seed storage and modernization of the rice milling industry, would still be submitted to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for approval.

Araullo believes that the DA should not just provide seed assistance to farmers, but should provide more project support.

“In terms of priority,” Araullo explained, “seed storage improvement, modernization of the rice milling industry and repair and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities is needed.”

As such, he said, there would be a realignment of the DA’s budget for seed subsidies to other projects particularly seed storage, modernization of existing rice mills and, repair and rehabilitation of irrigation facilities.