By Tina Arceo-Dumlao
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:21:00 04/25/2008
MANILA, Philippines-It is ironic that the Philippines, home to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and some of the world’s best agriculture schools, has become the world’s top importer of rice.
The last time the Philippines produced enough of the staple to feed its people was 1994. Since then, the Philippines has been getting rice from other countries to cover for the shortfall and to tide the country over through the lean months of July, August and September.
omestic palay – unmilled rice – production hit a record 16.24 million metric tons last year despite the midyear dry spell, but it was still not enough.
There are now 88 million Filipinos to feed. Rice and rice products account for 53.37 and 29 percent, respectively, of their energy, protein and iron requirements.
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