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Rice crops ruined by storms could have fed RP for 8 days


(Updated 10:55 p.m.) The total quantity of rice destroyed by the two consecutive cyclones that hit Luzon was enough to feed the entire country for more than a week, but the government was quick to assure the public that it would not lead to a rice crisis similar to last year's. “These cyclones really destroyed a lot. The Philippines consumes 35,400 metric tons of rice a day. This is already equal to eight to nine days of consumption for the whole country," Rex Estoperez, the National Food Authority (NFA) spokesman, told GMANews.TV in a phone interview Wednesday. In its latest situation report issued Tuesday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) pegged the damage to rice crops caused by tropical storm "Ondoy" and typhoon "Pepeng" at P8 billion. Of this amount, P6.8 billion was brought by Ondoy, while P1.14 billion was caused by Pepeng. The DA said Ondoy, which ravaged Metro Manila and nearby provinces last Sept. 26, damaged 301,580 metric tons of rice in Luzon in a span of nine days. Pepeng, on the other hand, hit northern Luzon over the weekend and destroyed 61,609 metric tons of rice in four days.

Rice crisis? But according to the non-government organization Centro Saka, the figures given by the DA are “downplayed" and that the actual cost of damage could be much higher. Centro Saka said in a statement that since most of the areas hit by Ondoy and Pepeng are “major rice-producing provinces," the food supply of the country in the coming months may be in peril. “Clearly, this calamity has imperiled the country’s food security as well as the livelihood of the small agricultural producers. Needless to say, it is the small agricultural producers in the rice and corn sectors who are bearing the brunt of the disaster," the group said. “If the rice farmers in the affected provinces are not able to plant or replace the lost crops immediately, the country could experience another round of rice crisis as supply would dwindle with no foreseeable harvests in the near future," it added.
RICE SHORTAGE


A look into a threat to world survival The issue on the availability of rice is part of a global problem faced by many countries – both exporters and importers of the grain that feeds three billion of the 6.6 billion world population. Countries such as China, India, and Vietnam, which used to freely supply rice to the world market, have decided to keep most of their harvest. Analysts fear that these countries would eventually adopt a “starve-your-neighbor" policy to feed their population. There is a tight supply of rice in the world market. The trade restrictions imposed by the world's major rice producers have hurt countries like the Philippines that heavily depend on importation to address food security. The issue is what caused these restrictions, when did the problem start and why it continues to this day. Some blame it on the weather – the global warming that dries up farmlands – the continued rise in the prices of petroleum products, which triggers hoarding and worsens inflation. Others say it’s the growing number of people in rice-eating countries, especially in Asia, that pulled the demand for the staple. Continue Reading
The Philippines, considered one of the world’s largest rice importers and consumers, experienced a rice crisis during the first half of 2008, which saw rice stocks in the country reaching its lowest in 30 years. Remote possibility Estoperez, however, said that while the damage caused by Ondoy and Pepeng would definitely have a negative effect on local rice farmers, a rice crisis in the coming year is a remote possibility. “We have enough rice supply for the remainder of the year, and the DA is taking steps to mitigate the effects of the damage so we could have enough rice for next year," he said. He said the prices of NFA rice will remain stable, including the subsidized P18.25/kilogram for qualified poor families, and the P25/kg rice. He also said that the DA, on orders of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is planning to import rice earlier than scheduled this year to prevent a possible rice supply crunch in 2010. Imported rice The Philippines is eyeing to import rice from countries other than Vietnam, which was also affected by Ondoy (international name: Ketsana). “Vietnam is only one of our sources, but there are other countries like Thailand, China and India where we can import rice," Estoperez said. He further said that the DA has already requested additional funds to rehabilitate irrigation systems and farm-to-market roads damaged by Ondoy and Pepeng. Estoperez also advised the public not to panic about the country’s rice supply in order not to disrupt normal product flow. “As long as we don’t panic, we are fine. Kapag lahat nagpanic-buying o kaya nag-hoard, magkakagulo na naman tayo (If everyone starts panic buying or hoarding, we will once again descend into chaos)," he said. - GMANews.TV
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