Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. approved an additional allocation of P82.5 million to enhance rice production in Iloilo, a key rice-producing province.
“We continue to secure extra funds to help our rice farmers increase their production and income while strengthening the country’s food security. The Marcos administration is fully committed to supporting the millions of Filipinos who depend on agriculture and ensuring they reap the rewards of their hard work,” he said.
The additional funding will allow the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region VI office to expand hybrid rice production to an extra 16,500 hectares, increasing the total area targeted for the dry season to 46,500 hectares, which is over 50 percent more than the previous target of 30,000 hectares.
Region VI, which includes Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, and Negros Occidental, accounts for 14 percent of national rice production with 322,000 hectares of rice fields.
Its average yield of 3.4 metric tons (MT) per hectare in 2023 remains below the national average of 4.2 MT.
“With favorable weather, the additional hybrid rice planting should boost our harvest this dry season,” said DA Region VI executive director Dennis Arpia.
Hybrid rice varieties have the potential to produce up to 10 metric tons per hectare under optimal conditions.
Arpia expressed cautious optimism, aiming for 5 MT per hectare given Western Visayas’ unpredictable weather.
“Rain during the flowering stage could significantly affect yields,” he said.
Some areas in Western Visayas started planting for the dry season, but others are finishing their harvest, which was delayed by the El Niño weather phenomenon.
