In light of natural disasters and high imports
ANGARA BATS FOR RICE SELF-SUFFICIENCY THROUGH
IMPROVED LOCAL PRODUCTION

With the country requiring higher rice importation after the Ondoy and Pepeng devastation to agriculture, especially rice, Senator Edgardo J. Angara has tapped PhilRice to boost local rice production in the country's rice growing provinces, one of which is Aurora.

"Our country's limited rice production is further compromised by natural disasters. This does not only mean loss of livelihood for many Filipino farmers, but is also a serious threat to food sufficiency in the country," said Angara who formerly chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food.

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Philippines suffered a combined total of P18.4 billion in agriculture damage - P6.7 billion from Ondoy and P11.6 billion from Pepeng. The major crop damaged was rice, worth P14.4 billion. Over 109,000 hectares have no chance of recovery, while 155,000 hectares are expected to have reduced yields.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates Filipinos eat an average of more than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of rice each per year and the country has continually faced the problem of high food cost, and, it has the highest food prices among the ASEAN countries. The Philippines is also one of the biggest rice importers in Asia.

Angara called on government to step in and be more aggressive in its agriculture policy. "We are spending billions of resources which otherwise could be allocated to long-term investments to boost our agricultural productivity. Our failure to initiate a long-term and focused effort to boost agricultural productivity could result to more poverty and widespread hunger," added Angara.

Angara and PhilRice are working together to set up the AURORA Rice Center where the production, milling and marketing of Basmati well-milled and brown rices and other special quality rices will be operated. This integrated business project will also offer drying, milling, and trucking services to other clients within the province, especially during lean months of operation. It is proposed that this project be a joint venture among the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the Provincial Government of Aurora and a duly registered association of Aurora organic rice farmers.

The AURORA Rice Center will start with a milling capacity of 200 sacks a day and an average warehouse capacity of 1,000 metric tons of milled rice every cropping season. Initially, the Center will produce Basmati rice, available in well-milled and brown form.

The province of Aurora has agriculture as its primary livelihood source, employing approximately half of the 174,000 population (Census of May2000). About 49,991 hectares, or 15% of the provincial land area, comprise the cultivated land. Major crops include rice, coconut, coffee, bananas, root crops, corn, citrus fruits, peanuts and abaca.

The trade industry employs about 11.5% of Aurora's population. About 300 or half of all registered establishments in the province, are engaged in wholesale and retail trading. Most are found in Baler, the trade capital of Aurora, and deal mostly with the basic needs of the constituents.

The Senator emphasized that the goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life.

Angara authored significant legislations in agriculture including the Agriculture Fisheries and Modernization Act (AFMA), a masterplan for agricultural modernization which other countries in Southeast Asia have adopted. This will strengthen and accelerate agricultural products hence raising the quality of life for all.

"We have yet to see the worst, especially with harsh weather becoming more frequent. If we do not take action, this will result to more joblessness and more people falling below the poverty line. We must spend precious limited resources and put it in to good use in providing our people with some cushion and safety net."