EDITORIAL - Rice loss

When rice stocks aren’t rotting away in warehouses, tons of the staple are wasted due to the lack of post-harvest facilities. A report obtained by the House committee on agriculture and food from the Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension said the country is losing over P30 billion worth of rice every year due to the lack of facilities such as rice mills and palay dryers.

Because of inadequate drying operations, an estimated 4.5 percent of national palay production is lost each year, according to the bureau report. That’s a loss of about 408,764 metric tons of milled rice.

Apart from the lack of postharvest facilities, palay is also lost due to improper handling, transport and storage as well as rodent infestation. In previous years, tons of rice kept in warehouses rotted apparently after water seeped into the sacks.

Rice production itself could use more modern tools. Many farmers still need training on modern agricultural technologies, according to members of the House committee. This knowledge is needed alongside the installation of more postharvest facilities.

The success of agrarian reform has been hindered by the inadequacy of farm support services, including irrigation, farm-to-market roads and postharvest facilities. Owners of large agricultural estates that have escaped distribution to tenants argue that such properties are more productive and efficient, benefiting from high capitalization and modern technology. But better farm support services can make agrarian reform work for its beneficiaries.

The Filipino people will be the ultimate beneficiaries if production of the nation’s staple is boosted. Consumers will always welcome sufficient rice supplies at affordable prices. Agriculture officials have expressed confidence that the country is on track to become a rice exporter in the near future. With more investment in postharvest facilities, this objective can be achieved.