The Department of Agriculture is pushing for a policy requiring rice importers to invest in local rice infrastructure before they can bring in foreign shipments, a measure being included in the proposed Rice Industry and Consumer Empowerment Act or RICE Act. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed the plan during a recent forum in Makati, noting that full details will be set in implementing rules once the bill is passed, but the target is for importers to operate mills, drying systems or complete processing facilities, and source produce from local farmers by 2028 if legally possible. He added the model has proven effective for the sugar industry, and will help protect both farmers and consumers.
The proposed law also seeks to restore key regulatory powers to the National Food Authority, including licensing industry players, inspecting storage, managing buffer stocks and overseeing rice trade, as part of amendments to the existing Rice Tariffication Law. Alongside these reforms, the department’s budget has nearly doubled from P117 billion in 2022 to P215 billion this year, with a target of nearly P250 billion for 2027. Increased funding is being used for mechanization, irrigation, post-harvest facilities and digital tools, while the expanded Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund now stands at P30 billion yearly to support seeds, equipment and credit access. Additional funding has also been allocated for crop insurance and the livestock sector’s recovery from African swine fever.
Acknowledging that gaps remain such as limited irrigation coverage, high logistics costs and climate risks, Laurel said future investments will focus on major infrastructure and modern technology including satellite monitoring and artificial intelligence to boost productivity and food security. He emphasized that sustained investment rather than quick fixes is needed to unlock agriculture’s full potential as a driver of growth and stability.
