NIA HELPS FARMERS INCREASE RICE PRODUCTION

THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) remains committed to increasing crop yields and dedicated to making the Philippines self-sufficient in rice production.

This was made known by NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen the Harvest Festival for Dry Crop 2024 in Barangay Tampac 1, Guimba, Nueva Ecija on Monday.

Guillen also introduced Contract Farming that aims to support farmers through the distribution of hybrid and inbred seeds, farm machinery, and other equipment to help in the production of the agricultural products in the area.

He also shared NIA’s programs and plans to provide the needs of the agricultural sector, which included the use of Alternate Wetting and Drying Technology, adjusting the Cropping Calendar, and providing projects such as solar-powered pump irrigation to supply water to farmlands.

During the harvesting trials in the province, Guillen said the agency harvested 73.5 bags from a 0.3-hectare area. The average output is computed at 245 bags per hectare at 50 kilograms per bag.

A Philippine Statistics Authority report said that, as of February 1, the estimated palay production based on standing crop for January to March 2024 may increase to 4.83 million metric tons or by 1.1 percent from its actual output of 4.78 million metric tons in the same period of 2023.

The estimate of palay production for the period January to March 2024 also exhibited an increase of 0.6 percent from its estimate of 4.80 million metric tons.

The NIA administrator, meanwhile, said that he will propose to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to revise the cropping seasons for next year.

“We are going to change the cropping calendar. At least two planting seasons for the dry crop season from October to February and from March to July are expected to increase rice production, aside from wet season,” he said.

Guillen also told reporters that the agency has been successful with 99 percent delivery of water irrigation services to farmers in the region.

The event was attended by Guimba Councilor Kenth Natividad and Municipal Administrator Dr. Casimiro Galapon Jr.