By Junex Doronio
MANILA – Noting that the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming program could serve as a “golden parachute” for ensuring affordable rice in local markets, Marikina City Representative Stella Quimbo has called on the agency to conduct further studies.
These studies should determine the requirements and timeline for achieving the target price of P20 per kilo of rice.
Quimbo requested that NIA present their findings at future meetings of the newly-formed Quinta Committee, which is tasked with investigating issues related to smuggling, price manipulation of essential commodities, and addressing hunger, food security, and nutrition.
The committee is composed of several key groups, including the Committees on Ways and Means (chaired by Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda), Trade and Industry (Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron), Agriculture and Food (Quezon 1st District Rep. Wilfrido Enverga), Social Services (Nueva Ecija 3rd District Rep. Ria Vergara), and the Special Committee on Food Security (Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Cuaresma).
During a recent hearing of the Quinta Committee, NIA Administrator Eduardo “Eddie” Guillen explained that the agency collaborates with irrigation associations (IAs), providing funds equal to 50% of the target yield for farm inputs, with the remainder paid at harvest time.
Under the program, farmers are free to sell any surplus yield above the contracted target.
Guillen estimated that the P29 per kilo price of rice reflects only 25% of the total yield under the contract farming program, with the remaining 75% being sold at higher prices. He also emphasized that the program aims to shift the practice of planting rice only during the wet season, when farmers are guaranteed water for their crops.
He added that NIA can supply irrigation water during the dry season, allowing farmers to harvest earlier, before the typhoon season begins.
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