Rice importation may be inevitable, but we have to protect our own rice farmers. There should be a balance that can make rice available and affordable while guaranteeing that our farmers may still make income for their produce.
Striking this balance between rice importation and the welfare of local rice farmers is crucial before making any decisions on rice importation. Consultation with local rice farmers is imperative to understand their needs and concerns. This will help the government in making informed decisions that take into account the interests of local farmers.
To support local rice farmers, the government has to consider implementing policies such as providing subsidies and access to credit and technology transfer to improve their productivity and competitiveness. Meanwhile, keeping a close eye on rice imports to ensure that they do not flood the market and negatively impact local rice farmers must be dealt with utmost care.
We need to encourage sustainable farming practices among local rice farmers to increase their resilience to competition from imported rice. Promoting organic farming, water conservation, and climate-smart agriculture are top considerations. Infrastructure enhancements in irrigation systems, farm-to-market roads, and post-harvest facilities will greatly support the growth of the local rice industry. These will help increase productivity and reduce our reliance on rice imports.
Local rice farmers should also learn to diversify their crops and explore alternative sources of income to reduce their dependence on rice production as these can help mitigate the impact of fluctuations in rice prices and market conditions. Also, a government-funded research and development to improve rice varieties, farming techniques, and post-harvest technologies to enhance the competitiveness of local rice farmers to help increase yields, reduce production costs, and improve the quality of locally produced rice is now superlatively essential.
Linkages between local rice farmers and consumers to ensure a steady demand for locally produced rice must be established to facilitate ease of marketing produce without the need for too much middlemen. This can help create a more sustainable and resilient rice industry that is less vulnerable to external market forces.
Constant collaborations and dialogues among stakeholders in the rice industry, including government agencies, farmers’ organizations, and the private sector, to discuss and address issues related to rice importation and local rice production, are irreplaceable.
On their own, local farmers are at the mercy of capitalists and loan sharks, the government should explore opportunities to promote and market locally produced rice, such as through certification programs, branding initiatives, and partnerships with retailers and restaurants. This can help create a niche market for high-quality local rice and increase demand for domestically grown rice.
We have to keep a close watch on market dynamics and address any distortions that may be negatively impacting local rice farmers, such as unfair trade practices, price manipulation, or market concentration. The implementation of measures ensuring a level playing field for local farmers and protecting them from unfair competition is their best motivation for growth.
The key is leadership and commitment in supporting the local agricultural sector to achieve balance between importation and local production to ensure the protection and long-term prosperity of Filipino rice farmers.
(Edwin M. Cordevilla is a multi-awarded writer, poet and author of several books. He is a former undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office. You may send your comments at edcordevilla@gmail.com.)
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