DA decision on hybrid rice fund hit; ‘big chance’ lost

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — City Agriculturist Gilbert Cawis assailed the decision of the leadership of the Department of Agriculture to give 50 percent subsidy for hybrid rice seeds and 100 percent subsidy for inbred seeds in this current cropping season, saying with this decision, the government has missed a golden opportunity to promote the planting of hybrid rice.

This is ironic because hybrid rice is being touted as the savior of the country from the chronic rice shortage.

“Had they consulted us on the grassroots level, we would have told them that the percentage of the subsidy should be equal. What happened is that because the inbred seeds were given free, the farmers opted to plant inbred varieties instead of the better-yielding hybrid varieties. They should listen to us because we directly deal with the clientele doing the actual planting,” Cawis said.

Cawis also said although the local farmers usually get 10-15 percent higher yield from hybrid rice, they chose the inbred varieties not only because these were free but because they also got good harvest with certified inbred rice seeds.

“What could have tipped the balance in favor of hybrid seeds is if the percentage of subsidy were equal,” Cawis said.

He is not also in favor of the DA’s plan to give P1,500 and P600 subsidy for hybrid and inbred seeds, respectively, this next cropping. He said that amounts to 50 percent subsidy for inbred seeds. And while it may also be 50 percent for hybrid seeds produced by the government, it could be only 33 percent in the event farmers choose hybrid seeds produced by private companies.

Cawis said he disapproved of the practice of importing rice, adding instead of importing, the government should increase palay support price because higher price would lead to increasing domestic production. -- EAJ