DA RFU 5 Bannner Program: Ginintuang Masaganang Ani RICE

BANNER PROGRAM

RATIONALE

The GMA Rice Program aims to ensure food security and attain self-sufficiency by the end of Year 2010, through growth in yield by 9% with the use of hybrid and certified seeds, and stabilize the price of palay at a level equitable to farmers and the consumers.

Regional Rice Sufficiency Index 2006

STRATEGIES

Empower local government units (LGUs) to assume primary responsibility for food security and for direct supervision of rice production activities within their respective areas by developing provincial and municipal level rice self-sufficiency programs.
Provide technical support to LGUs to help attain the target yield increase.
Availment of trade and fiscal incentives by the private sector.
Focus national government support on strategic rice areas.
Promote production-intensifying but cost-reducing technologies through an intensive and extensive agricultural extension support program.
Develop complementation and counterparting schemes with local governments
Tap the expertise of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in accessing appropriate technologies, providing a forum for research extension linkage, and assisting in the evaluation program.
Increase public investment in irrigation, postharvest facilities, farm-t-market roads, and farm mechanization.
Improve the production-marketing systems to become more efficient and cost-effective.
Make quality seeds and other inputs available to farmers at the right time.
Encourage/empower farmers-organizations to undertake a vertical of their rice enterprises.
Monitor closely the rice supply situation, particularly in rice deficit areas.

POLICY IMPERATIVES

Production

Availment of trade and fiscal incentives by the private sector to invest in seed production, and by postharvest equipment manufacturers to increase farmers' profits.
Supporting the promotion of high-quality seeds and cost-effective technologies like the leaf color chart, balanced fertilization strategy, integrated pest management, synchronous planting, mechanization, and others.

Credit

Enhancement of credit-guarantee mechanisms.
Authorization of cooperatives to handle credit and marketing

Marketing

Availment of the aggregate measures of support for rice.
Increasing the milled rice buffer stock from 90 days to 120 days.
Rationalization of the rice distribution system

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

PRODUCTION SUPPORT SERVICES

Rationale
Science-based technologies are the backbone of modern farming. The recommended appropriate technologies shall maximize production per unit area, reduce production cost, promote sustainable and environmentally sound practices, and answer the need and preferences of the market.

Target
Average rice production increase by 1.0 t/ha for areas covered.

Plan of Action

Certified seeds of the top four preferred rice varieties shall be made available to farmers through the provincial and municipal seed production projects (PMSPP) that shall be set up.
Support services for seed certification and production of foundation and registered seeds shall be expanded, including the necessary infrastructure and equipment for seed processing and certification.
With an inadequacy of seed supply or a scarcity of seed growers in an area, technicians shall select fields which can be rogued or cleaned of off-types for seed supply.
The use of 20-40 kg/ha seeding rate, integrated pest management, and the balanced fertilizations strategy shall be promoted and demonstrated to farmers.
As a calamity preparedness mechanism, buffer stocks of foundation seeds shall be maintained by PhilRice while the DA-regional Field Units shall maintain registered seeds. Funds shall be provided for credit for production inputs.
Hybrid rice cultivation shall be promoted in target areas.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Rationale
R &D will help ensure the sustainability of appropriate location-specific production technologies, and will enhance Philippine agriculture's global competitiveness. It will likewise ensure that more food will be produced from less land.

Target
Location-specific technologies packaged.

Plan of Action

PhilRice shall package location-specific, cost-reducing, and environment-friendly technologies in partnership with DA-RFUs and other agencies, LGUs, SUCs, NGOs, and Pos for regions and localities.
PhilRice shall continue to undertake the improvement of the in-bred and hybrid rice using conventional and non-conventional techniques.

IRRIGATION

Rationale
Irrigation is the major component of the AFMA for which 30% of the total annual budgetary outlay is being allocated. The law is also includes small-scale and farmer-managed irrigation systems.

Plan of Action

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) shall rehabilitate existing irrigation systems, assist LGUs in the repair of communal irrigation systems, and construct new systems.
LGUs in the repair of communal irrigation systems, and construct new systems.
The Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in collaboration with LGUs and assisted by DA-RFUs, shall accelerate the establishment of small water impounding projects (SWIP) and diversion dams (DD) wherever feasible to support rice production areas which national and communal irrigation systems cannot service.
Supplemental irrigation water shall be provided through the construction of new shallow tubewells and the rehabilitation of low-performing wells.
Identification micro-watersheds in areas covered by SWIP/DD and STWs shall be co-managed with LGUs and concerned irrigators' association with technical assistance for BSWM.
Service roads shall be rehabilitated or improved.
Draining system shall be constructed/repaired/rehabilitated.
On-farm water management methods shall be improved.
Use of re-used or tail-end water shall be maximized.
Nonpolluting technologies on irrigation water management shall be promoted.
A comprehensive training program on sustainable water management shall be conducted.
Memorandum of Agreement on irrigation watershed management shall be forged with relevant agencies.
Cloud-seeding sorties shall be conducted where necessary and advisable.

OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE

POSTHARVEST/MACHINERY
FARM TO MARKET ROADS

Rationale
Among the risk-reducing mechanisms for farmers is to provide the infrastructure that would mechanize farm operations, reduce postharvest losses, and provide access to market.

Target
Various postharvest facilities installed resulting to at least 5% reduction in postharvest losses.

Plan of Action

Funds shall be released for the construction of on-farm postharvest facilities; for the promotion/ distribution through demonstration of selected postharvest facilities/equipment; and for the construction and rehabilitation of farm-to-market roads.
Bulk handling and on-farm storage shall be promoted.
Fluidized bed and in-stored dryers shall be commercialized.
An information campaign on ways to reduce postharvest losses, including table wastage, shall be conducted.
Batch and flash dryers shall be promoted at the farm level.

RURAL FINANCE

Rationale
In view of the limited access to formal credit by farmers, credit guarantee and crop insurance are being positioned to reduce farmers; risks.

Target
Financing for the 3000,000-500,00 ha provided.

Plan of Action

The number of on-lending windows shall be increased for farmers to gain wider access to production and marketing loans. The Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) shall coordinate with other lending institutions, including rural and cooperative banks, and eligible federated farmers' credit cooperatives
The ACPC shall continue to rehabilitate cooperative banks for these to resume their lending operations immediately.
Farmers shall be encourage to avail of the credit guarantee scheme implemented by the Quedan Rural Finance Corporation, including crop insurance coverage from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation.
Training on technical skills building, financial management, and other needs shall be conducted.

MARKETING SUPPORT SERVICES

Rationale
Timely, accurate and responsive business information and trading services linking farmers with profitable markets shall be provided.

Target
NFA's palay procurement increased.

Plan of Action

Information databases shall be generated for decision-making prediction, and forecasting.
Buying stations shall be identified.
Local executives shall be involved in manning the local store.

INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Rationale
Information dissemination is one spearhead of the present administration's 10-point agenda in agriculture and fisheries. It helps to empower people to shape that future through wider participation in government decision making and implementation.

Target
Information education campaign on rice science and technologies and on the AFMA using appropriate and cost-effective media implemented.

Plan of Action

Information and education campaign materials shall be developed using appropriate and cost-effective communication media to educate all stakeholders in the rice industry on rice production, the crucial importance of rice, value-adding products from rice, and the AFMA.
LGU briefing/consultations on the AFMA shall be conducted.

TRAINING AND EXTENSION

Rationale
A viable, research-based training and information dissemination program specially designed for LGU's, technicians, and farmers will ensure that results of scientific research reach their clientele

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

Plan of Action

Regional and national management committees shall convene and conduct social mobilization meetings and seminars.
A management information system shall be design and strengthened for monitoring.
A post-evaluation shall be conducted by an external group.

Program Implementors and Their Responsibilities

Local Government Units (LGUs)
- Act as the lead planning and implementing unit at the provincial & municipal levels;
- Coordinate and monitor techno-demo implementors;
- Deploy production technicians and SMSs;
- Select qualified farmer-organization/participants;
- Provide resource persons to farmers' trainings.

Regional Field Units (RFUs)
- Responsible in the overall planning, facilitating, monitoring & implementation in the region;
- Coordinate, monitor and implement (through stations) seed production activities;
- Coordinate, monitor and provide technical assistance on small scale irrigation, credit, postharvest, and marketing;
- Ensure lists in collaboration with BAS and LGUs;
- Assist in the evaluation of qualified farmer-organizations/participants;
- Deploy Subject Matter Specialists (SMS);
- Accurate and timely reporting of MIS (validated);
- Provide resource persons on training for AT's.

Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice)
- Continuously develop and update POT on rice production with emphasis on sustainability and productivity;
- Produce breeder, foundation, and registered seeds'
- Maintain seed buffer stock of higher classes of seeds;
- Undertake/provide technical backstopping to LGU, RFU and ATI;
- Assist in the transfer of matured rice production technologies.

Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)
- Coordinate and monitor seed production;
- Supervise seed testing laboratories;
- Accredit seed growers;
- Provide technical assistance on crop protection.

Association of Seedgrowers
- Assist in monitoring seed buffer stock;
- Produce and market quality seeds.

Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority
- Register and issue licenses to fertilizers and pesticide manufacturers/dealers;
- Conduct information drive for input dealers and farmers on safe and judicious handling and use of fertilizers and pesticides
- Initiate development of institution-building program and credit-related activities;
- Formulate and enforce credit policy;

Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)
- Act as conduct of loanable funds;
- Provide technical assistance to borrowers

National federation of Cooperative Banks (CoopBanks)
- Act as conduit of loanable funds;
- Provide technical assistance to borrowers:

Rural Bank Association of the Philippines (RBAP)
- Act a conduit of loanable funds;
- Provide technical assistance to borrowers

Federation of Free Farmers (FFF)
Credit Cooperative Incorporated
- Act as conduits of loanable funds.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) &
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
- Construct new irrigation system and rehabilitate existing systems;
- Conduct training and institution-building activities for Irrigators' Associations;
- Provide technical assistance to LGU on maintenance; management, and repair of systems;
- Select site and project design;
- Actual construction;
- Administer funds.

Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM)
- Provide technical assistance on balanced fertilization strategy, SWIP, STW, and SFR establishment;
- Characterize and map aquifers;
- Conduct research and development for small-scale irrigation system and on soil management and fertilization.

Bureau of Postharvest and Extension (BPRE)
- Provide technical assistance on equipment testing and accreditation;
- Conduct research and development;
- Establish PH facilities

Agricultural Training Institute (ATI)
- Administer training extension, and social mobilization programs;
- Monitor and evaluate post-training.

DA_Agricultural Information Division (DA-AID)
- Develop and implement information and communication plan;
- Coordinate and monitor implementation of information activities by RFUs, bureaus, and attached agencies

National Agricultural and Fishery Council (NAFC)
- Policy formulation;
- Address issues and concerns on food security.

National Food Authority/QUEDANCOR
- Implement grains supply and price stabilization.

DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service
- Strengthen and intensify market information capabilities.

Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS)
- Establish a network of Grains Market Information Centers
- Manage on a micro and macro-level rice production-supply database;
- Monitor price behavior and trends.

State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Provide assistance in the generation, development, and promotion of agricultural technologies.

Philippine Information agency (PIA)/
Philippine Foundation of Rural Broadcasters (PFRB)/
Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster sa Pilipinas (KBP)
- Provide assistance in training, extension, social mobilization, and information campaign.

DA_Field Operation Service (DA-FOS)
- Provide overall coordination, monitorinng, and fund administration;
- Backstop the Program Director for Rice..