PHL Achieves 96 Percent Rice Sufficiency-Alcala

The Philippines has achieved 96 percent rice sufficiency despite the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas.

This was revealed by Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala who was in Leyte on Tuesday to distribute some P459 million worth of farm implements to various municipalities in the province.

The Secretary called for the understanding of those present in the activity for his failure to deliver his promise to reach 100 percent rice sufficiency in the year 2013.

The Philippines has achieved 96% rice sufficiency a 4% short of his promise. However, he is happy with the achievement because three years ago the Philippines only achieved 86% rice sufficiency.

The Secretary said he does not blame anyone for the non-achievement of the 100 percent rice sufficiency. He said the main culprit is the effects of typhoon Yolanda.

Moreover, the Secretary revealed that last year, the Philippines posted the highest percentage of rice harvest in the history of farming, having reached 18.44 million metric tons of rice.

Alcala, however, called on the stakeholders not to rest on these laurels.

He said that the continuous help of the department is also a commitment of President Benigno Aquino 111 to better the lives of the farmers especially in the Yolanda stricken areas.

Alcala strongly encourage the farmers and the LGU leaders to continue the interventions they have done to revive farming in their respective places and to expand their farming and not just focus on rice alone.