MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture (DA) disclosed that the government is extending free seeds and crop insurance to flood-affected farmers.
In a statement on August 14, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala said farmers will receive free seeds and free crop insurance coverage worth P10,000 per hectare.
The free seeds and crop insurance will make it possible for farmers to replant and write off 20,000 metric tons (MT) of palay that were damaged by typhoons Ferdie and Gener as well as the Southwest Monsoon.
“(The damage) could be offset by the expected harvest from 180,000 hectares that participated under the ‘early planting scheme’ of the DA in partnership with farmers served by major irrigation systems in Central Luzon and Isabela under the DA’s National Irrigation Administration (NIA),” the DA said.
No addt’l rice importation
Alcala also said that even with the typhoon damage to palay, there is still no need for the country to import more than the initially programmed 500,000 MT of rice this year.
The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) forecast that 3rd and 4th quarter palay production may reach 3.56 million MT, and 6.36 million MT, respectively for a total of 9.92 million MT in the second half of 2012.
In all, palay production for 2012 may reach 17.8 million MT, which would be another record harvest, and 6.7% more than last year’s output of 16.68 million MT.
Alcala said the country is still on track to start exporting premium, fancy, aromatic, heirloom and organic rice next year.
“We have to explore and develop the export market for Philippine aromatic and organic rice varieties,” Alcala said. – Rappler.com
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