By Che Palicte

DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) convened key agencies and rice industry partners on Tuesday to reinforce their shared commitment to achieving rice sufficiency in the region under the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP).

Discussions focused on sustainability and resilience, aligning efforts to strengthen the rice industry amid evolving production and market challenges.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, DA-11 rice focal person Evelyn Basa reported that rice sufficiency in the region stands at 57 percent as of 2025.

“We still lack 43 percent. However, our production is increasing,” she said.

Basa noted that rice production in the region was 484,000 metric tons (MT) in 2021 and rose to 523,000 MT in 2025.

She attributed the growth to the seeds and fertilizers provided by DA-11 to rice farmers.

She highlighted that the MRIDP’s goal is to increase farmers’ income while supporting sustainable farming methods that help both current and future generations.

“Rice remains a staple for about 85 percent of Filipinos. As government agencies, we must continually align our efforts, stay updated on industry developments, and meet regularly to address concerns collectively,” Basa said.

The convergence meeting also featured updates on irrigation and water management, farm mechanization under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), seed development and varietal recommendations, rice procurement, and post-harvest systems.

Meanwhile, DA-Field Operations Division (FOD) chief Engr. Lorenzo Bermillo said the MRIDP addresses long-standing challenges in the rice sector by harmonizing interventions and promoting shared learning among agencies.

“Through convergence, we are not just implementing programs independently. We are integrating strategies to maximize impact for our rice farmers,” Bermillo explained.

The meeting also provided a venue for stakeholders to develop a unified understanding of industry challenges and identify areas for synergistic collaboration. (PNA)

Published Date: March 4, 2026