BURIED under the pages of today’s papers and other news platforms is the news that the Philippines is poised to be the world's top rice importer for the third-straight year.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) which made the report said the main reason for this unwelcome development was the shortage of the local harvest.
As it is, the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service's latest "Grain: World Markets and Trade" report on Oct. 11 hiked estimated Philippine rice imports to 4.7 million metric tons (MT) during marketing year (MY) 2023-2024 from 4.6 million MT previously, due to "strong buying of Vietnam rice."
For milled rice, the Philippines' MY covers the July-to-June-of-next-year period — this means MY 2023-2024 refers to July 2023 to June 2024, according to the USDA's website.
The same report noted that the country’s rice imports have been climbing from 2.45 million MT in MY 2019-2020 to 2.95 million MT in 2020-2021, 3.8 million MT in 2021-2022, and 3.9 million MT in 2022-2023.
These figures gave the Philippines the dubious distinction as the world's biggest rice importer dislodging even China which currently has an estimated 1.4 billion population.
But wait there’s more! The USDA -FAS report also predicted that our rice output for the current year would be lower at 12.3 million MT (milled basis) than earlier previous estimate of 12.7 million MT.
I am convinced that incumbent Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel is doing everything he can to help local farmers increase their yields.
But as long as he is doing it with the same style and formula that his predecessors did, then we could not expect significant and remarkable improvements in our local farmers’ harvests.
And sadly, even as the agriculture sector plays a vital role in the Philippine economy, it could only contribute a measly 10% to the national GDP.
Certainly, it’s about time that Sec. Laurel plays his cards right.
Instead of applying the tried and tested formula for failure of his predecessors, such as merely providing aids and financial assistance to our farmers, he could focus on helping them boost their production by favoring the use of biofertilizers over chemical fertilizers.
By utilizing biofertilizers like UniGrow, farmers can significantly lower their expenses on chemical fertilizers. This reduction is crucial, especially during inflationary periods when input costs soar.
Through frequent use, biofertilizers can also help improve soil health, leading to stronger plants that can withstand pests and diseases. This resilience is vital in a country prone to climate-related disruptions such as typhoons and droughts.
Also, the use of biofertilizers aligns with global sustainability goals. By reducing chemical inputs, farmers can contribute to environmental conservation, which is increasingly important to consumers and international markets.
Moreover, increased agricultural productivity can lead to job creation in rural areas. As farmers produce more, there will be a higher demand for labor, benefitting local economies.
It's a good thing however that the latest I heard was that Sec. Laurel and the government are cognizant of the importance of sustainable agriculture and is lately actively promoting the use of biofertilizers.
The bad news, however, is that of the DA’s allotted budget for fertilizers at around P9.55B for 2023, the amount earmarked for chemical fertilizers is still way higher than that of biofertilizers.
It’s high time the government adopts a paradigm shift and finds a better option by conducting a massive information and education drive to educate our farmers for them to maximize the benefits of biofertilizers.
The adoption of biofertilizers, particularly products like UniGrow, presents a viable pathway for the Philippines to achieve food sufficiency and maintain lower inflation rates.
By enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability, biofertilizers can help stabilize the economy while supporting the livelihoods of millions of Filipinos.
As the government continues to invest in innovative agricultural solutions, it is imperative that farmers are equipped with the tools and knowledge to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.
The future of Philippine agriculture lies in embracing sustainable practices that not only feed the nation, but also foster economic resilience.
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