Farmers: Rice Self-Sufficiency the Only Real Solution to Crisis

President Arroyo’s recent directive for the release of P1.5-billion augmentation for the
Department of Agriculture (DA) budget to increase rice production in the face of the supply crisis, according to Centro Saka and the National Rice Farmers Council (NRFC), is a case of “too little too late”.

“It is unrealistic to think that we can avert the supply crisis by simply pumping in more funds at the last minute. Rather than addressing the root of the problem, government is opting for a band-aid solution,” Omi Royandoyan of the farmer-based research NGO Centro Saka said.

According to CSI, the current crisis is the result of years of neglect of agriculture including the all-important rice sector.

“After 7 years in power, this administration cannot use the alibi that it inherited the problem from previous governments. A lot could have been accomplished in seven years if instead of mere lip service, the government prioritized support for the rice sector with all the resources at its disposal. ”

CSI pointed out that the current situation is further evidence that government’s hybrid rice commercialization program, which relies too heavily on private seed producers with no accountability to the public, is flawed. In fact, despite the billions already poured into the program, hybrid rice contributes only 12 percent of production.

“It is obvious that the current policies have not produced tangible results. Why else would be in the mess we are in right now?” Ka Jimmy Tadeo of the NRFC asked. “It is time to reverse these failed policies of the past and focus future efforts and resources on achieving self-sufficiency and providing incentives for rice farmers to keep planting rice.”

Under the existing policies, according to CSI, the growth in rice yield from 3.07 metric tons per hectare in 2000 to 3.68 metric tons per hectare in 2006 is hardly significant given the steady rise in population. What has been more pronounced is the growth in imports from a little over 700,000 metric tons in 2001 to an estimated 2.1 million metric tons this year with the Philippines moving from seventh largest rice importer in 1996-2001 to third in 2002-2007.

“Also telling is the near stagnant growth in area rice area harvested at around 4 million hectares. We keep hearing about all the money government is spending on infrastructure. But what about irrigation? Without irrigation development, it is no wonder that harvested area for rice has not seen any significant increase under this administration,” Tadeo said.
It is unfortunate, according to CSI that the Arroyo administration decided to cling to the myopic view that supporting domestic rice production was expensive and that importing rice would be a more cost-efficient solution.

“The real problem is that until very recently, the so-called experts in this administration, advocated a food security strategy based on importation. It is this misguided belief that the international market can guarantee our food supply that has led us to this crisis.” Royandoyan added.

CSI has long supported the farmers’ position that only rice self-sufficiency can ensure long-term food security.

“Why did the Arroyo government not act on the rice master plan proposed by small rice farmers? That plan would have provided a comprehensive roadmap for the development of the rice industry towards rice self-sufficiency. If they had only taken our recommendations seriously, we would not be where we are now,” Tadeo argued. (pinoypress.net)