 | DA targets to export organic fancy rice in three years |
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PIA Daily News Reader, August 10, 2010 This was bared by agriculture secretary Proceso J. Alcala, in an interview with the Davao media yesterday (August 9) at the Kapehan sa Davao weekly forum.Not just self-sufficient three years from now, the Philippines, too, is poised to export organic fancy rice three years from now. "Organic farming is our only entry to the export market. If we wish to penetrate the export area, then we must produce the kind of rice needed by people who have become so health conscious." he said. To achieve this in three years time, the DA will perform several tests to lessen inputs and better the profit margin to benefit local farmers. Alcala supports the stand of President Benigno Aquino III in prioritizing self-sufficiency over importation learning from the 2008 experience of global rice shortage which did not spare the Philippines.
DA has recently issued a memorandum order calling the PhilRice to propagate upland rice to be tried out in some areas of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
One of the cited ways to lessen input costs is the DA's plan of re-tooling all technical personnel to help farmers be educated not just on the conventional way of farming but also the introduction of organic farming.
Source:PIA Daily News Reader-DA targets to export organic fancy rice in three years (Edited by Marj Malubay - original submission Wednesday, 18 August 2010, 11:08 AM) |
