Rice imports to drop by 24% as local production ramps up

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will likely lower its rice imports to 2.2 million metric tons this year from three million MT in 2019 amid improving local production.

During the deliberation on DA’s 2021 budget yesterday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said local production is seen to improve this year and achieve a record high production of 22.12 million MT of palay (unhusked rice).

As of end-August, 1.6 million MT of rice had already arrived in the country.

The expected higher production is anchored on the DA’s flagship Plant, Plant, Plant program which is aimed at expanding production areas, improving yields and ensuring availability of rice in the country.

Meanwhile, the DA has appealed anew to Congress to help the agriculture sector realize its full potential.

Under the national expenditure program, DA’s budget has been cut by 17 percent to P66.38 billion. The agency’s original budget proposal was P284 billion.

Dar said agriculture plays a crucial role in economic recovery. The Philippines continues to lag behind among its ASEAN peers in terms of share of agriculture budget to total national budget.

“Continued and sustained investment in agri is a must. The agri sector contributes 10 percent to GDP (gross domestic product) but its share in the budget in the past 10 years is just a measly three percent,” Dar said.