ILOILO – To maximize rice and other high-value crop production, the provincial government is eyeing to conduct a rice summit.
“Amo na gusto naton, to maximize rice production. We want to go up in the rankings. Not because the ranking is important to us but sigurado ako if you go up in the rankings of rice-producing provinces, sigurado nag-improve kita,” said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
The governor also wanted to increase the yield in high-value crops such as corn and sugar cane and to broaden the cultivation of vegetables.
He believes that more locally produced vegetables are needed. Iloilo still imports from Luzon.
Although there are some agricultural plants that farmers cannot cultivate due to the soil type and climate in Iloilo, Defensor said this should not limit farmers from venturing into other crops or vegetables suitable for the province.
Iloilo is an agricultural province. Defensor said creating a value-added chain for agricultural products would create more jobs and improve business.
And while focusing on agriculture, Defensor also hoped to create growth areas that would serve as investment centers for information and communication technology and industry.
The development mantra of the Defensor administration is anchored on the “Movement for Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient” or “MoReProGRes” Iloilo.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in Western Visayas, rice production in the province in the first quarter of 2023 increased by 5.59 percent, or 365,912.38 metric tons (MT), from 346,539 MT in 2022.
Nelida Amolar, PSA-6 chief statistical specialist, said the municipality of Pototan remained the main rice producer, followed by New Lucena, Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas.
In the whole region, the province of Iloilo is the largest rice producer, followed by Capiz and Negros Occidental.
In the country, Western Visayas is the second largest rice producer with 667,020.89 MT, following Central Luzon with 867,083.86 MT in the first quarter of this year./PN
