SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — With stable palay prices and sustained government interventions, Antique is emerging as a model for provinces striving to balance high agricultural productivity with strong farmer support.
Fresh from a successful 2025 dry season, the province recorded a rice self-sufficiency level of 234.92%, harvesting 183,074.52 metric tons of fresh palay between September 2024 and March 2025.
This output is enough to sustain local rice demand until November, cementing Antique’s status as one of Western Visayas’ most reliable rice-producing areas.
As of March, 593.95 hectares of rice fields remain active with standing crops in various growth phases: 86.75 hectares are ripening, 236.75 hectares are in reproductive stage, 257.20 hectares are vegetative, and 13.25 hectares were newly planted.
This strong performance is backed by timely and strategic government support. Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), PhilRice delivered 30,761 bags of certified inbred rice seeds to 18 municipalities.
These were distributed to 13,012 farmer-beneficiaries, resulting in higher yields and improved resistance to pests and disease.
“The government’s seed distribution program not only raised our productivity, it also gave our farmers a stronger safety net,” the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) noted in a statement last Tuesday, April 8.
The province is now preparing for the 2025 wet season with another 68,800 bags of inbred seeds allocated.
As of March 27, 12,800 bags have already arrived from PhilRice-Negros, and 7,404 bags were handed out to 1,420 farmers. Rice varieties were selected for their high performance in both yield and adaptability.
Local palay prices remain steady, with fresh harvests fetching ₱16.00 per kilogram and dry palay at ₱19.00 — rates that enable farmers to plan and invest confidently for the next planting season.
Agriculture officials believe Antique’s case proves that food security can be achieved through a clear mix of science-based solutions, market stability, and direct support for farmers.
“With stable prices and government support, Antique’s rice industry is not just surviving — it’s leading,” said OPA. “This is the path forward if we want to feed our communities while protecting the livelihoods of those who grow our food.”
