President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the National Food Authority (NFA) to focus on the local production of rice to augment the country’s supply.

Marcos issued the directive in a meeting with the National Food Authority (NFA) and other government agencies at the State Dining Room of Malacañan Palace in Manila on Tuesday.

“The President instructed the agency to continue exploring other ways in prioritizing rice production other than importation, such as contract farming and other means that will guarantee an increase in the NFA’s volume production,” according to a statement posted on the official Facebook page of state-run Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).

NFA Administrator Roderico Bioco briefed President Marcos about measures that have been carried out to ensure that the country has sufficient supply of rice.

The meeting at Malacañan was also attended by Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban and Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian.

‘Impressive’ growth

Citing a Philippine Statistics Authority report, Panganiban said palay (unhusked rice) output from January to June rose to 9 million metric tons (MMT), from 8.7 MMT produced for the same period in 2022 and in 2021.

Sebastian noted that the 9 MMT palay is equivalent to 5.9 MMT milled rice (200,000 MT more than the PRISM estimate of 5.7MMT).

Marcos, also concurrent DA head, welcomed the “impressive growth” in rice production for the first six months of 2023, according to Presidential Communications Secretary Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.

Higher than the DA’s projection, Marcos said a three-percent growth in production over the same period in 2022 is “excellent news.”

“The President also said the higher production figure is a big boost to the country’s rice supply which is sufficient until the end of the year even with the impact of Super Typhoon Egay,” Garafil said.

“The PSA report is also higher than the PRISM (Philippine Rice Information System) estimate of 8.7 MMT (300,000 MT more) which the DA earlier used in its rice supply outlook,” she added.

Production estimate

Citing Sebastian’s projection, Garafil said the production for 2023 could surpass 20 MMT, “barring the occurrence of destructive typhoons.”

Garafil noted the private sector’s report that more imported rice is arriving this month and in September.

“In a special meeting, the private sector rice stakeholders also informed President Marcos that 300,000 metric tons of rice are coming in August,” she said. “Since January this year until the first week of August, 2.05 MMT of imported rice have already arrived in the country.”

Garafil said the country’s rice production will continue to grow, considering the good palay price in the previous cropping and the DA’s various interventions such as seeds, fertilizers, biofertilizers, soil ameliorants, and farm machinery extension support.

She said the recent production reports affirm that the country’s current supply outlook for rice “negates speculations of rice supply shortage.”

On Aug. 8, Marcos assured the public that the country’s rice stockpile could last even after the projected El Niño next year.

Sebastian on Aug. 11 also said the country may soon enjoy a decrease in the prices of rice, as the government starts negotiations with Vietnam and India. (PNA)