Proceso Alcala, new DA chief, eyes zero rice imports in 3 years

Written by Jennifer A. Ng / Reporter
Tuesday, 29 June 2010 20:38

THE new chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA) is keen on propping up rice production and wiping out rice imports by 2013.

“In three years’ time, we may no longer have to import rice,” said incoming Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

The Philippines, the world’s top rice importer, bought some 2.4 million metric tons (MMT) of rice this year from various sources to plug production shortfall and beef up the stocks of the National Food Authority.

While he already has preliminary plans to prop up farm production, particularly paddy-rice output, Alcala said he needs to consult various stakeholders in the farm sector to ensure that the DA’s programs will be acceptable to farmers and fisherfolk.

“I will be conducting consultations with other stakeholders in the coming days. We will be trying the ‘bottom-up’ approach,” said Alcala.

This approach, he said, would involve small farmers and fisherfolk in the process of crafting farm-related programs.

The incoming DA chief is a two-term congressman of the Second District of Quezon. Alcala is best known as one of the principal authors of Republic Act 10068, or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.

He is also regarded as an accomplished environmentalist and a nongovernment organization (NGO) worker.

While he promotes organic agriculture, Alcala said traditional farming and organic farming will have “equal exposure.”

“Maaring mamili ang mga magbubukid [Farmers have the option to choose],” he said.

NGOs, particularly those advocating organic farming, hailed the appointment of Alcala.

Pablito Villegas, Intercontinental Network of Organic Farmers’ Organizations’ lead convener for Asia, said Alcala is “the best secretary that the DA will have.”

“He is a practical, hands-on organic farmer. Also, he is very professional and transparent,” Villegas said in a telephone interview.

Go Organic! Philippines also welcomed the appointment of Alcala, saying he is “the right person for the job.”

“He has the capability and the expertise to lead the department,” said Roland G. Cabigas, coconvenor of Go Organic! Philippines.
In Photo: Proceso J. Alcala
http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27071:proceso-alcala-new-da-chief-eyes-zero-rice-imports-in-3-years&catid=53:agri-commodities

Subscribe to http://alevarsblog.blogspot.com by EmailPinoy Biztalk and Job become a fan of facebook and twitter