DA to recalibrate Masagana program

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday announced it is reviewing the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), an initiative aimed at boosting the country’s rice production.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the DA is undertaking a comprehensive review of MRIDP to ensure increase in productivity will result in a significant increase in farmer’s income.

Under the rice program, an initiative inspired by the Masagana 99 program under late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s administration, the Agriculture Department seeks to produce high-quality rice seeds, optimize the utilization of fertilizers, and develop a logistics network to bring harvests to market and inputs to farms more efficiently and cost-effectively.

“We're recalibrating the program to identify areas for enhancement, including the distribution of improved seeds, expansion of irrigation systems, and adjustments to rice cropping schedules," Tiu Laurel said. 

Last year, the Philippines harvested a record 20.06 million metric tons of palay across 4.82 million hectares of rice fields. 

If successful, Tiu Laurel said the MRIDP “could propel annual palay production beyond 25 million metric tons, even if the target yield is reached only in the 3.39 million hectares of irrigated farmlands.”

According to the DA chief, the current national averages indicate yields of approximately 84 sacks per hectare, highlighting the need for substantial improvements. 

The average per hectare yield of palay in irrigated areas is 4.51 metric tons while in non-irrigated areas it is 3.34 metric tons, resulting in the national average of 4.17 metric tons or around 84 sacks of palay.

Tiu Laurel expressed optimism that given the right inputs and technologies, rice yield could be increased to 7.5 metric tons per hectare or 150 sacks (at 50 kilos per bag).

“As we move forward, our aim is not just to increase productivity but also to ensure sustainability and resilience in our agricultural sector,” he said. 

“With increased production, farmers will enjoy gains from their labor while consumers should enjoy lower food prices," he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News