21 July, 2008 - Rice production in the Philippines is set to receive a boost after the government provided farmers with subsidies of US$21 million dollars to buy fertilizers.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap made the announcement as he said the country aimed to become 98% self-sufficient in rice by 2013 at the latest. Its original target of 2011 has been revised because of difficult weather conditions triggered by climate change, the secretary confirmed.
The majority of the funding has already been released to producers in key areas. The move came after a surge in fertilizer prices caused by the steep and prolonged price increases in oil.
Rice output in the Philippines this year is predicted to rise by 6% to 17.3 million tonnes.