TOWARDS A WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO RICE SECURITY

TOWARDS A WHOLISTIC APPROACH TO RICE SECURITY Rice security and rice sufficiency are two sides of the same coin. But I wonder, is anyone in the government thinking about a wholistic approach to our rice security? Let me tell you what I mean by that. Simply put, we will never achieve rice security unless we achieve rice sufficiency. By that, I mean sufficiency through production, not importation. Never believe anyone who claims that we have rice security just because we import rice. And certainly, do not believe anyone who claims that we have food security simply because we have enough rice supplies. Food security means more than just rice. What else is there to eat if we only have rice? I am neither an economist nor a statistician, but I can count, just like any grade school graduate. Rice Production and Demand The Philippines produced approximately 19.96 million metric tons of palay in 2021. The Department of Agriculture estimates our annual rice demand at 15.14 million metric tons. On paper, this suggests a surplus of 4.82 million metric tons. But reality tells a different story. Only about 70% of palay becomes milled rice. Using this figure, our estimated 19.96 million metric tons of palay yields only around 13.97 million metric tons of rice. Already, we are short by about 1.17 million metric tons. Adding to this problem are post-harvest losses. An estimated 10% of palay is lost due to drying on roads. That brings down our usable palay to 17.96 million metric tons. Further losses occur due to poor milling efficiency, reducing the yield to around 17.06 million metric tons of milled rice. Post-harvest losses from pests and moisture account for another 5%, leaving us with only about 16.2 million metric tons. To fill the gap, the Philippines imported approximately 2.9 million metric tons of rice in 2022. Even with imports, our buffer stock remains slim. The government claims that having a 15-day buffer stock is sufficient for food security. But I disagree. Fifteen days is too short. Perhaps it should be 15 months? Achieving Rice Sufficiency If we are serious about food security, we need to become a net exporter of rice. To do that, we should aim to produce at least 30 million metric tons per year. Is this achievable? Countries like Thailand produce about 34 million metric tons annually, and Myanmar follows with approximately 24 million metric tons. There is no reason why the Philippines cannot match or even surpass these figures. Rice farmers have consistently called for post-harvest facilities and farm-to-market roads. It is high time we meet these demands. Proper drying facilities, grains storage systems, and efficient transportation are essential. Beyond roads, we need a reliable network of farm-to-market vehicles. Modern rice mills must replace outdated ones to minimize losses and improve production yield. Innovative Solutions We must also look beyond traditional freshwater irrigation. Rain-fed upland rice farming and the cultivation of saline-tolerant rice varieties in coastal areas and swamplands offer viable alternatives. Additionally, cold storage facilities for rice could extend shelf life and reduce spoilage. Implementing shared post-harvest facilities like silos would further reduce storage losses. And why not consider a program to retire and replace inefficient rice mills? Promoting Responsible Consumption On the consumption side, we should revive the “half rice” and “clean plate” campaigns to minimize food waste. In the past, the government even offered rewards for those who eliminated rats. A modernized pest control initiative could help mitigate the substantial losses caused by rodents. Policy Support and Implementation Finally, we need Congress to act. If reversing the devolution agricultural programs is impractical, lawmakers could augment the Department of Agriculture’s budget to support rice production initiatives. Special funds can be allocated for the construction of post-harvest facilities, distribution of modern rice mills, and the promotion of efficient rice storage solutions. A Special Task Force or Technical Working Group should be established to explore making post-harvest infrastructure mandatory in all rice-producing provinces. A more integrated and proactive approach is essential to ensure genuine rice and food security. Rice security is not just about having enough rice. It is about producing enough rice, storing it effectively, and ensuring it reaches our tables efficiently. Only then can we confidently say that we are truly rice secure. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 05-10-2025