RICE EXPORT TARGET

Do not laugh now, but is it really possible for the Philippines to become a net exporter of rice? Why not? Singapore has a “30 By 30” program that aims to produce 30% of their food supply by 2030. Why don’t we set that kind of a goal? To at least produce 100% of our rice requirements by a certain year? Or even better, to be able to export a certain percent of our rice surplus by a certain year? Singapore’s target is only six years away. In our case, we could probably make it ten years away. As I see it, this is not a laughing matter because we have all that it takes to become a net exporter of rice. Obviously, we have the land, we have the manpower, and we have the scientists who could help us achieve our goals. As a matter of fact, our scientists are so good, such that they were pirated by foreign countries that are now producing the rice that we are importing. Let us just have a reality check. We could really not continue importing our rice supplies. Not because we do not have the money to pay for the imports, but because the time may come when our foreign sources may become either unwilling or unable to sell to us, probably because of shortfalls or shortages in their own countries. Instead of talking about import targets, the government should already be talking about export targets, and how to mobilize the resources that would make that happen. It is time to believe in ourselves. IKE SENERES/09088877282/12-29-2023