National govt allots ₧30.9B for rice program

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

In his message for the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said the bulk, or P30.9 billion, of the amount will go to the National Rice Program (NRP).

The implementation of the NRP is expected to help the country achieve food self-sufficiency and make rice more affordable.

Another P10 billion will be allocated for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which will be used for seed development, propagation, and promotion; rice credit assistance; and the acquisition of agricultural equipment.

The government is also setting aside P9 billion for the procurement of 473,684 metric tons of palay from farmers for the buffer

By Manuel T. Cayon @awimailbox

DAVA o C I T y—The government is encouraging farmers in Davao de o r o to encourage the youth to join the farm mechanization program initiated by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Dr. o f ero A. Capariño, assistant director of the DAPhilippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech), said the agency is currently “advocating for youth for mechanization” and has been appealing to the children of farmers to join the program.

“They will be taught on the new farm machines including drone application of fertilizer, how to spray pesticides,” Capariño said. “We hope they will join the program because farming is not difficult as they [think].”

He made the appeal after the PhilMech donated to the province last July 28 facilities worth P7.9 million, including two mechanical grain dryers with biomass and petroleumbased heating systems and one precision rice seeder.

The donation was received by Davao de o r o Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga in Barangay Pasian, in the municipality of Monkayo.

“Kung may hihingin kami, ito ay alagaan, pakaingatan, mahalin at siguraduhing ang mga libreng makinarya na inyung natanggap ay aabot sa susunod na henerasyon,” Capariño said.

The donation was bankrolled by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

The rice precision seeder represents a ride-on planting device designed to accurately deposit the appropriate seed quantity at precise depths and intervals, leading to a consistent distribution of plants, the DA information office said. “This innovation reduces the need for extensive labor and lowers planting expenses.” stocking program of the National Food Authority (NFA).

The mechanical drier is expected to significantly aid rice producers in minimizing postharvest losses, especially when faced with adverse weather conditions. These donations were among the series of farm assistance between 2019 and 2022, totaling P189.8 million, the information office said.

It added that another P875,000 was provided by the DA-Agricultural Training Institute 11 for the ProvinceLed Agriculture and Fishery Extension System Capability Development Support. This program aims to strengthen the ability of the local governments to implement crucial agricultural and fishery initiatives.

As part of government efforts to help farmers and fishermen cope with the impact of natural calamities, a budget of P4.5 billion is being proposed for the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp.

To ensure food security, Marcos said the government is earmarking around P20 billion for programs aimed at increasing the production of other agricultural commodities.

These include the P5.3 billion for the National Corn Program, P4.3 billion for the National Livestock Program, P1.9 billion for the National High Value Crops Development Program, P1 billion for the Sugarcane Industry Industry Development Program, P6.9 billion for the National Fisheries Program, and P211 million for the Boosting Aquaculture Production Program.

To create “a flexible credit facility” for small farmers and fisheres, Marcos said the government will allot P2.8 billion for the Agro-Industry Modernization Credit and Financing Program.

Under the 2024 NEP, the National Soil Health Program will get P916 million, while agriculturerelated research and development could receive P1.57 billion.

The said initiatives will be augmented by the agriculture infrastructure budget, which includes the P31.2 billion for the National Irrigation Administration so it can provide water to 31,548 hectares of farmland.

The proposed budget next year also contains a P356-million allocation for the Water Supply and Sanitation Program of the Local Water Utilities Administration.

Under the 2024 NEP, the government will construct farm-tomarket roads worth P17.3 billion and P4.9 billion worth of fishingrelated infrastructure.

The Department of Budget and Management submitted the 2024 NEP to the House of Representatives last Wednesday, which it will use as basis for the passage of the 2024 General Appropriations Act.