Agricultural production better, says Alcala

MANILA, Philippines -  The government disclosed yesterday the country’s agricultural production was better in the first quarter and that there might be no need to import rice to augment supply.

Both Malacañang and the Department of Agriculture also allayed fears of any rice or food crisis, belying a report that President Aquino was warned that such a crisis could allegedly become a national security concern.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala also said a “rice cartel” could be the ones floating scenarios that the country might experience a rice crisis since they have an ax to grind against the government.

“That is a good question because that turns out to be true. I can’t think of any reason why we will have such kind of a problem all of a sudden,” Alcala said.

The secretary said the National Food Authority Council made sure to distribute importation and not be cornered by the rice cartel.

“Maybe you noticed that this was distributed to different traders. They were not able to corner it. Maybe they got mad at the department, they are enraged because this is not a small amount, this involves huge money that those who used to benefit (from the rice cartel) would think of something bad (to do against the government),” Alcala said.

Alcala stressed the country has enough supply of rice and that there was no shortage expected that could trigger panic and could be considered an issue of national security as allegedly reported by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

“I hope you (members of the media) will be of help to us to inform our countrymen that there is nothing to worry about because there is no shortage in rice supply,” Alcala said.

Alcala said compared to last year’s dry season cropping of 6.6 million metric tons, the government was targeting at least 7.6 million metric tons this year or 15 percent increase in harvest.

The dry season covers only two quarters of the year. Alcala said the total projected cropping for 2011 was 17.46 million metric tons or even higher, anticipating the increase of production during the dry season.

Alcala also said there was no need to import additional 300,000 metric tons of rice this year as announced by National Food Authority administrator Angelito Banayo.

“Maybe that is his personal opinion but that is not the opinion of the government. Because even I myself cannot say that there is such a need. Although I am the chairman of the NFA Council, this must be discussed within the council,” Alcala said.

He noted that based on government data, there was no need to import additional rice because the current situation was very good.

“You may go around the whole country and you will see that everyone is harvesting palay. They (farmers) are saying they have good harvest and we are anticipating that they will exceed the projection of 7.6 million metric tons for the dry season cropping,” Alcala said.

The agriculture chief said they were monitoring the farmers and irrigators every week and that they were cooperating with the government and trying to hit projected harvest.

Alcala said they were trying to provide the farmers all the help because the country would like to be rice sufficient by 2013.

He said it would be better to keep inspiring the farmers to produce locally rather than import so the government would meet its targets.

“It will not be good for the farmers to lose their drive,” Alcala said.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte and Alcala also belied reports that the Office of the President received a report from the NICA about the looming rice crisis.

Alcala said they did not know where the report came from and that even NICA denied there was such a report.

“Maybe we should avoid instilling fear among the people. Because at this point in time, we should be happy because we now have hope that (the) agriculture (sector) can now be a springboard for the economy,” Alcala said.

He cited the need to boost the country’s food production so that shortage and high prices would be prevented.