The government has doubled the budget support for the production of rice in the 2023 iteration of the nation’s spending program to P30.30 billion, according to the Department of Budget and Management.
This compares with last year’s budget of only P15.78 billion and highlights the concern over a key agricultural sector that in the final three months last year produced 4.1 percent less rice of only 4.87 million metric tons versus 5.08 million metric tons a quarter earlier, based on data obtained from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA).
The US Department of Agriculture earlier estimated the country’s rice production of only 11.98 million metric tons although demand is so much more at an estimated 12.41 million metric tons.
This chronic insufficiency in rice production has prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allocate P42,84 billion under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) not only to invigorate agriculture but also be one of the main drivers for growth and employment.
These programs include the National Rice Program, the National Corn Program, National Livestock Program, National High-Value Crops Development Program, Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture Program, and National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program, aim to address food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable growth through increased farm income and productivity.
“President Marcos Jr. has emphasized many times that agriculture is a top concern priority of his administration. Our 8-point socioeconomic agenda puts primacy on food security and agricultural output. As such, we have ensured that important programs which seek to increase farm income and productivity will get a much-needed boost,” Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said.
The National Corn Program, which aims to increase the production of quality corn and cassava for human consumption, feeds, and industrial uses, as well as empower farmers and increase their income, has a budget of P5.02 billion this year.
The National Livestock Program, which seeks to accelerate the development of the poultry and livestock sector by improving its production and increasing the stakeholders’ profitability, has a P4.50 billion budget.
A total of P1.80 billion has been allotted for the National High-Value Crops Development Program, implemented to help promote the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of high-value crops.
The Promotion and Development of Organic Agriculture Program has a P900 million budget for 2023. The program aims to promote, propagate, further develop, and implement the practice of Organic Agriculture in the country.
Lastly, the National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program has been given P318.47 million under the 2023 GAA. This program shall promote urban and peri-urban agriculture and other emerging agriculture practices through the Plant, Plant, Plant program.
