SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Proceso J. Alcala is eyeing to bring down rice imports to as low as 100,000 metric tons (MT) in 2013, in line with the country’s target of being self-sufficient in the staple.
This is lower than the 500,000 MT imported this year and the volume of imports programmed for 2013.
Alcala said rice imports could be cut as palay production has been robust this year. He said the early cropping scheme over the summer and the third cropping last September are expected to yield good results.
Alcala’s projection is separate from that of the Inter-Agency Committee on Rice and Corn, which has not released an evaluation and decision on rice imports for 2013.
The Philippines’ rice imports have been on the decline in preparation for the government’s aim of attaining rice self-sufficiency by the end of 2013.
This year, the DA targets to produce 18.46 million metric tons of rice, and more than 20 million MT by 2013 to attain self-sufficiency.
In 2011, the Philippines produced 16.68 million MT and imported 860,000 MT. The private sector imported 600,000 MT while the NFA imported 200,000 MT. The balance was imported by farmer groups. – Rappler.com
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