FAO, Republic of Korea highlight role of policy in boosting the Philippines’ rice sector
A strong and conducive policy environment that is responsive to the unique characteristics and needs of the Philippines food systems, coupled with innovative tools and approaches, is needed if the country is to realize the full potential of its rice sector. Such targets may only be achieved through transformative approach including bringing in systematic changes to exchange knowledge and institutionalize experience sharing, which demands appropriate policy support and capacity building.
The same sentiment was reflected in the consensus of the delegates to the National Policy Workshop organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) from 6 to 7 June.
At the workshop, which was held virtually, FAO, MAFRA, and key stakeholders in the Philippines discussed ways to strengthen the Philippines’ rice value chains through FAO’s “Capacity Development and Experience sharing for Rice Value Chains through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)” project. The workshop also builds upon the Philippine Rice Industry Roadmap (PRIR) 2030, the country’s ongoing programme to improve its rice sector productivity and competitiveness, launched in 2019.
The SSTC project is funded by MAFRA and is being implemented in three countries: the Philippines, Tanzania and Côte d'Ivoire. In the country, FAO has been implementing the project since 2020 in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This project is in response to the growing demand for South-South and Triangular cooperation on the development of rice value chains, as countries seek to take advantage of specific strengths and experiences of other countries that have made progress in scaling up their food security programmes. Its interventions are also contributing towards achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
FAO has played a pioneering role in championing SSTC, investing more than USD 435 million in related initiatives in the past two decades.
The event was attended by representatives from FAO, Korea Rural Economic Institute, key local actors and stakeholders in the Philippines’ rice-value chain including the DA, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), Regional Field Office (RFO) III, Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Bureau of Plant Industry, Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), National Irrigation Administration, National Economic and Development Authority, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Central Luzon State University, Rice Watch Action Network, Inc. (RWAN), Rice Productivity, Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc. (FFFCI), and Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement.
In his address to the delegates, delivered via video message and highlighting the importance of the event, DA Secretary William D. Dar, said that “this workshop will benefit our fellow Filipinos, especially our rice sector stakeholder and industry players. Through this workshop, we can accelerate the inclusive and sustainable commercialization of the rice value chain and recognize its contribution to nutritional, economic and environmental sustainability."
On the part of FAO, Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, Ms Tamara Palis-Duran, emphasized that “the appropriate legislation and policy support at the local and national levels could provide a pathway to address these challenges and mitigate their impacts on our smallholder farmers in particular, and the country’s rice sector in general.”
“It is timely that we are holding this workshop to carry out stock taking of the enabling policy environment, governing the Philippines' rice sector, using a food systems lens, to identify gaps and formulate and recommend practical and practicable actions moving forward,” she added.
The Philippines has robust experience and extensive expertise in rice research and development. However, the country still faces some challenges resulted from the high rice production cost, insufficient farm machineries and facilities, and natural disasters such as typhoons and droughts. Considering such challenges, the participants agreed that policy coherence is needed to upscale rice production by focusing on the research and development, training and extension, marketing and agribusiness, and mechanization in the rice sector.
"We need to articulate clearly and quickly to bring to scale what can strengthen our rice value chain, particularly for rice in this case, and plug the obvious gaps in capacity, learning, and policies." says DA-PhilRice Executive Director, John De Leon.
“We need to act on propositions that can bolster or harness competitiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability of our rice industry – with R4D providing relevant and timely solutions to local needs or problems. We can eventually transform our food systems and advance the ideals of food sovereignty as well if we persist and do all these things,” he concluded.