DA, IRRI to ink rice sufficiency pact in December

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to sign an agreement with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to prepare the country’s rice sector in the vagaries of climate change. The signing is scheduled this December, according to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, who will sign the agreement with IRRI director general Robert Zeigler. Under the agreement, both agencies will work together and renew their commitment toward reducing poverty and hunger, improving the health of both farmer and consumers, and ensure food and environmental sustainability. Specific areas of cooperation will be on the production and distribution of high-quality and improved rice seeds that are adaptable to climate change.   Both agencies will prioritize the research and development of new and modern farming systems and technologies that would help expand current production areas with consideration to the ill-effects of the changing weather. In addition, best agricultural practices and other support tools will be disseminated, including skills-training for extension and field workers.   The DA and the IRRI will also strengthen alliance with public and private networks to establish the Philippine rice’s competitiveness against those from the other rice-producing countries.   The DA has consistently collaborated with the rice research facility to address the food needs of the Filipino people and other mutual goals.   By end 2012, the government expects rice production to hit 17.8 million. First semester rice output was 4.5 percent higher to 7.89 million MT from 7.57 million MT in 2011. Production for July-December 2012 may reach 10.08 million MT, 10.7 percent higher than last year’s  record of 9.11 million MT.    The expected 6 percent increase in yield may bring about the higher level of production during the second half of 2012.   Based on the rice sufficiency road map, the country will be sufficient in the staple by 2013, producing as much as 21.12 million MT.   The government will be needing as much will be needing as much as P84.2  billion to finance the rice sufficiency program until 2016—P31.11 billion in 2013, P22.73 billion in 2014, P17.54 billion in 2015 and P12.82 billion in 2016. — KBK, GMA News