Phl to implement zero rice importation by 2014

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines will no longer import rice starting 2014, a senior government official said today.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that this year will be the last year that the government will import rice, which is about 187,000 metric tons.

"By 2014, we will not be importing any metric tons. Our commitment is that we will be self sufficient in rice by 2014," he said.

Lacierda said that rice importation for this year is only 8 percent of the 2.4 million tons of rice imports in 2010.

He said that the government expects around 20 million tons of rice harvest this year.

The Philippines is among the world's key rice importers.