DA allots P10 M for Banawe terraces rehab

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allotting additional funding of P10 million this year for the rehabilitation of the Banawe Rice Terraces to increase the production of traditional or heirloom rice varieties for both domestic and export markets.    

The restoration of damaged terrace walls and irrigation canals, particularly in Barangay Batad, Banawe, Ifugao is expected to be completed by June 30, 2013.     

The DA spearheaded the Banawe rice terraces restoration project, which started in March 2012, by sharing P24.3 million of the total project cost of P26.5 million.    

It was initiated by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala when he visited Ifugao, on Nov. 25, 2011.   

Several portions of the Batad rice terraces were damaged by typhoons “Pedring” and “Quiel” in 2011.     

Other agencies that pitched in are the Provincial Government of Ifugao (P1.05 million), Department of Social Welfare and Development (P1 million), Municipal government of Banawe (P50,000), and Barangay Batad (P20,000).     

Agriculture Assistant Secretary and National Rice Program Coordinator Dante Delima said the DA is allotting another P10 to enhance the development and increase the production of traditional upland or heirloom rice varieties like tinawon, unoy, and dalican.     

The amount will fund several projects and initiatives proposed by Cordillera rice farmers.     

Delima has instructed DA-Cordillera regional director Marilyn Sta. Catalina to help farmers identify, assess, verify, and consolidate their project initiatives and include these in the DA-Cordillera regional work and financial plan for implementation beginning this year.     

The planned projects include: establishment of a regional heirloom rice processing center (RPC) in Lamut, Ifugao, and satellite village RPCs in different which will be equipped with micro mills, pedal threshers, and appropriate mechanical and  solar dryers; and construction of tramlines.      

Sta. Catalina said the additional funding will contribute to the   enhancement the production of heirloom rice varieties, particularly those planted in Ifugao rice terraces.      

Delima said the DA aims maintain the sturdiness of the rice terraces and empower Ifugao farmers so they could sustain the production of heirloom rice varieties for domestic and export markets.    

He said as of April 30, 2013, 98 of the damaged terrace walls was restored, 21 communal irrigation systems were repaired, and five solar dryers were established in different sites, including a community seed bank.     

To date, 10 heirloom rice varieties were collected and purified, while 600 kilograms of seeds were stored as part of the community seed buffer stocking.