Government agencies “converge, cooperate, and coordinate” in their commitment to support the Masagana Rice Industry Development Plan, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agreed in May to implement.
In the recent convergence meeting held in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Development Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Crop Insurance Corp, and Land Bank of the Philippines have pledged to prioritize financial aid to rice farm clusters, especially in their engagement in the value chain.
The National Food Authority and Agricultural Training Institute will also boost their contract growing and training programs for the clustered farm-members.
Programs under the Department of Agriculture such as the National Rice Program and Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund will provide fertilizer, biofertilizer, and seeds.
Meanwhile, Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, undersecretary for Rice Industry Development, urged government agencies to respond to the threats of El Niño in the agriculture sector.
“Data show that there’s a 52% probability of a strong El Niño occurrence in October – January. Let’s maximize rice production and identify options for the farmers,” he said.
Amidst this threat, farmers are advised to diversify their crops, in which cash crops such as pechay and mustard are integrated for additional income source and to help ensure that there is food in the household amidst the extreme climate condition.
Controlled irrigation is also promoted as it helps reduce water use by 16-35% without yield penalty. In alternate wetting and drying technology, observation wells are used to monitor the water level in the soil.
“Let’s focus on output and let’s strengthen farmers’ growth, the climate sector, and government partnerships. With our convergence, we can leverage collective expertise and resources to create innovative solutions that address pressing challenges in agriculture, climate change, and governance,” he said.
