Farmers’ education in attaining rice self-sufficiency
Officials in the rice sector stressed the need for farmers’ education in attaining rice self-sufficiency during the Farmers’ Field Day and Forum conducted at the Central Experiment Station of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) on Sept. 20.
Director Dante de Lima, national coordinator for rice and corn, said that volunteer technicians or farmers from local communities will be formed across the country to educate farmers in filling the 15-18 percent insufficiency gap in rice.
“We’re 82-85 percent rice self-sufficient, and by training technicians or farmers based in their own communities will help increase rice production. These trained volunteers are from their areas, so they would know how to talk to the local people and would be very familiar with the locality,” De Lima said in Filipino.
De Lima also announced the Land Bank of the Philippines’ loan program called Magsasakang Pinoy’s Savings and Credit Card, which was created to help farmers obtain financial aid with low interest rates.
Meanwhile, PhilRice Executive Director Eufemio T. Rasco Jr. said education is important in making farmers more receptive to new technologies.
Rasco, who took office on July 13, said knowledge on the aspects in rice production such as new seeds and right application of fertilizers guide farmers in increasing their yield.
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