DAto convert 20,000 has. of idle lands for rice production in Kalinga

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – Kalinga, which contributes 1.3 percent to the rice requirement of the country is seen to increase its production with the Masaganang Ani sa Nayon Project (Project MANA).

The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Project MANA intends to convert 20,000 hectares of rainfed and idle lands for rice production in the province this year.

Joe Casibang, Kalinga Rice Program Coordinator, informed the Project MANA sites are located in the province’s rice production towns of Pinukpuk, Tanudan, Rizal and the city.

Project MANA involves two phases first is the identification and opening of potential ricelands that include rainfed and idle lands, and second is the provision of needed farming interventions through small irrigation systems.

For the farming interventions, DA is distributing free 150 units of mechanized waterpump and accessories. It will also construct small water impound-

ing projects in Rizal municipality and this city.

Casibang explained the project is under DA’s effort to increase rice sufficiency level in the country by opening new areas for rice production. Based on present DA data, the country needs to fill-in additional five to ten percent of its rice sufficiency requirement. Larry Lopez/PIA – CAR