THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it set the yield target at 7.5 metric tons (MT) of palay per hectare for the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP).
“We’re recalibrating the program to identify areas for enhancement, including the distribution of improved seed, expansion of irrigation systems, and adjustments to rice cropping schedules,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.
The current national average yield is 4.17 MT per hectare, equivalent to 84 50-kilogram bags of palay, or unmilled rice.
The average yield of palay in irrigated areas is 4.51 MT. In non-irrigated areas it averages 3.34 MT.
“As we move forward, our aim is not just to increase productivity but also to ensure sustainability and resilience in our agricultural sector,” Mr. Laurel added.
The upgraded target could translate to annual rice production of more than 25 million MT, even if the target yield is achieved only in the 3.39 million hectares of irrigated farmland.
The DA has said it expects palay production this year of 20.44 million MT, up from 20.05 million MT in 2023.
In the first half, palay production declined 5% year on year to 8.53 million MT, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“We must adopt a more scientific approach to farming to boost output and manage costs effectively,” Mr. Laurel added.
The MRIDP aims to stabilize the rice supply at between 24.99 million MT and 26.86 million MT a year, in the process lowering growth in rice prices to less than 1% annually.
It also seeks to increase farmer incomes by 54% and ensure adequate reserves held by the National Food Authority.
“With increased production, farmers will enjoy gains from their labor while consumers should enjoy lower food prices,” Mr. Laurel said. — Adrian H. Halili
