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Author: DA Communications Group | 27 April 2020<\/p>\n
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The country\u2019s rice supply remains on the optimistic side as the Department of Agriculture (DA) projects a 94-day buffer stock by the end of December 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would like to inform the public that based on our estimates, the country will enjoy an ending rice inventory of 3.27 million metric tons (MMT) by December 31 this year. That means we will have rice to feed the entire country for 94 more days or three months, up to March 2021,\u201d Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will settle once and for all the misconceptions espoused by uninformed quarters on the rice supply outlook, as the DA\u2019s estimate is based on the official data of the Philippine Statistics Authority, and validated on the ground by the DA\u2019s regional field offices,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur rice supply inventory comes from three sources: first, from beginning stock or surplus carried over from the previous year; second, from local production; and thirdly, from imports. Hence, our total rice supply by year-end is estimated at 17.99 MMT, which is 18 percent (%) over our total rice demand of 14.67 MMT,\u201d the DA chief said.<\/p>\n
The computation factors in the contribution of the Rice Resiliency Project (RRP) under the DA\u2019s Plant, Plant, Plant Program or the Ahon Lahat, Pagkaing Sapat (ALPAS) kontra Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe expect the rice resiliency project to add at least 1.03 MMT to our current projected local production of 12.76 MMT. This equates to elevating our sufficiency level by 7%, from 87% to 94%,\u201d Secretary Dar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo successfully attain said incremental harvest, we will continue to count on the strong support of local chief executives, particularly of rice-producing provinces, and hard work of our beloved farmers,\u201d said the DA chief.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at the DA will see to it that the RRP will be efficiently and effectively implemented on the ground, and more than ever we seek everybody\u2019s support,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Under the RRP, the DA will provide farmers free quality rice seeds and fertilizers.<\/p>\n
It will be implemented on top of the DA\u2019s existing rice programs such as the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), and national inbred and hybrid rice program, thus covering more areas,\u201d Dar said.<\/p>\n
With the projections, the DA assures the public of enough rice throughout the enhanced community quarantine and beyond.<\/p>\n