DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- Former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Emmanuel “Manny” Piñol has been pushing and promoting upland rice farming using modern rice hybrid seed to mitigate the looming threats of the recent global rice production crisis caused by climate change, population growth, among others.

Piñol has launched the "Kalahating Ektarya Sa Bawat Pamilya: A Hunger Mitigation Program Through Upland Rice Farming,” which aimed at helping Filipino families in rural areas to prepare for the impending effects of the rice crisis, being the most vulnerable once the crisis hit hard in the country.

In a press conference held recently in Davao City, he said that the program could be achieved by utilizing one-half hectare of their uncultivated land for planting rice through upland rice farming using a superior rice hybrid variety for their consumption.

“Ang purpose (of this program) na may makain lang ang pamilyang Pilipino in the rural area, kasi sila yung pina ka vulnerable whenever the prices of food would go up,” he stated.

Piñol noted that there are potential uncultivated areas in the highlands of Mindanao that are suitable for growing rice, saying that moisture in upland areas is higher and rainfall is regular, which could sustain rice fields even without a proper irrigation system.

“Upland rice farming is only possible because of this variety, TH-82, kasi kung wala ito, I will not recommend the traditional indigenous verities,” he added, noting that traditional varieties are seasonal and have longer maturity period, unlike TH-82, which only takes 115 days before it can be harvested.

Piñol said that upland rice farming using the TH-82 has already undergone a series of trials and studies, based on their records, TH-82 has proven to produce up to seven metric tons per hectare.

With the program, he said that they are targeting a yield of at least two metric tons per one-half hectare, equivalent to 1,200 kilograms of milled rice or 24 sacks in 50-kilogram bags.

The program was initially designed for North Cotabato, however, with a desire to help the neighboring regions to prepare for the impending rice crisis, Piñol expressed willingness to provide technical assistance and education about the new farming technology with other areas across Mindanao.

Piñol said that they are targeting and encouraging local government units (LGUs) to adopt the program and implement it in their respective localities.

“This program will engage LGUs and encourage them to use development and economic farming to prepare for the impending rice crisis by providing funds to farm families to plant rice for their consumption during the period of the crisis and later as part of the food security strategy,” he added.

He noted that they have formed rice experts who will be teaching farmers and LGU officials about upland rice farming using the TH-82 rice hybrid seed, particularly on land preparation, rice seeding, the use of fertilizers, pest or weed control, and post-harvest processes such as milling.

As such, he said that they will be conducting a series of workshops on August 11 and 12 in two towns in North Cotabato, and they are currently inviting farmers and LGU officials to attend the workshops and experience the new rice farming technology. (ASO/CLC, PIA XI)