DA sets fertilizer plan to boost rice output

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will implement a fertilizer support program to boost rice production next year as it raised concern that the crop’s yield may be affected by a shortage in seed supply.

In an interview, Agriculture Secretary Arthur  C. Yap noted that rice farmers in certain areas “have opted to cash in” most of their palay production because of the current high buying price for palay.

Traditionally, a portion of the previous season’s palay harvest is set aside for use as inbred certified seeds for the next planting season.

However, several rice farmers have been selling all of their palay output at the current palay buying price of P21 per kilo.

Fearing a shortage of certified seeds, the DA has increased its purchase price for certified seeds to P30 a kilo from the previous price of P20 a kilo.

Aside from the possible shortage in certified seeds, the supply of hybrid seeds may also be compromised due to the export ban imposed by some countries on hybrid rice seeds.

But Yap has assured that they are now preparing their hybrid and certified seeds.

“We are also putting up a fertilizer support program of four plus two wherein for every four bags of fertilizer, the DA will provide two additional bags at a P250 per bag discount.”

With the global rice shortage, it has become more imperative for the DA to attain rice self-sufficiency for the country.

A lack of adequate seeds for next year would derail the DA’s  target of attaining complete rice self-sufficiency by 2011.