Agri-stakeholders to tackle WV rice self-sufficiency plan
Agriculture stakeholders in Western Visayas will meet today to discuss the region’s rice self-sufficiency program.
Juvy Gaton, chief of agri-fishery information division of the Department of Agriculture 6, said the planning is aimed at coming up with a component that will encourage farmers to propagate hybrid rice.
She said that rice farmers using hybrid will not only have sustained high yield but can also expect an increase in income.
Western Visayas will play a big role in the country’s rice sufficiency because even with the various calamities in the region, farmers were still able to have good harvest.
High yield was also achieved by farmers without depending on irrigation.
Among the provinces in Western Visayas, Antique has the highest yield with 178 rice sufficiency. Antique was able to provide its surplus yield to Negros Occidental, which has only 75 to 78 percent rice self-sufficiency.
The outcome of the planning will be presented to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala who will come to Bacolod City on October 22.
Participants of the planning program are heads of provincial agriculture office, representatives of DA-attached agencies directly connected with rice production, officials of Regional Agri-Fishery Council, among others*PNA
