Ifugao town eyes rice sufficiency

THE MUNICIPALITY of Banaue in Ifugao is gearing towards rice sufficiency with the rehabilitation of its abandoned rice fields.

Restoration of the abandoned areas is anchored aside from, rice sufficiency, incurring job generation and increase in tourist arrivals.

“If the 540 hectares will be restored, our target here in Banaue is after the project, you are going to eat Tinawon rice here in Banaue,” said Mayor Jerry Dalipog.

Tinawon, is organic rice only grown by farmers in the province of Ifugao, Kalinga and Mt. Province which is harvested once a year.

“The produce of 1,607 hectares is 3.4 metric tons and our population is decreasing. With the entrance of visitors and exportation of Banaue farmers, I think there is a sufficient rice and we will not buy anymore outside if the 540 hectares will be planted,” he added.

During the town’s celebration of Imbayah Festival, guest speaker retired Brigadier General Ramon Yogyog addressed to further maintain culture, preserve and sustain its heritage sites.

“The heritage sites that anchored our culture, the Banaue Rice Terraces is the anchor of the people, the Banaue who lives by second of the rice harvest the rice festivities,” added Yogyog

With a P3 million finding donated by a company as part of its community social responsibility for the re-

habilitation of the abandoned terraces, rice production is expected to increase.

Dalipog acknowledged the few farmers, huge worms as major cause of the abandoned terraces.

The introduction of huge worms which is said to help loosen the soil has instead further causes landslides, according to Dalipog.

Despite the presence of an agriculture school in the province, Dalipg said the young generations prefer nursing, law, and engineering courses.

He said the youth are urged to cultivate abandoned terraces and encouraged to take agriculture to continue the cultivation of Banaue rice terraces.

“With small number of farmers, we are encouraging families in Banaue to encourage their children to take up agriculture,” the mayor adds.