‘1-M Has. Of Tribal Lands To Yield 2-M Tons Of Rice’

With the successful trials in planting a new Hybrid Rice Variety in the Tribal Lands of Malaybalay, Bukidnon, I asked the Dept. of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 10 yesterday submit a recommendation based on a documented report to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to expand the Upland Rice Farming Program to at least 1-million hectares.
The Ancestral Domain Areas have an estimated area of 5-million hectares most of which are not being cultivated now but where traditional upland rice farming called “Panuigon” had been practiced by the tribal people.
In addition, there are millions of hectares more of Upland Areas outside of the Ancestral Domain where “Panuigon” is also practiced.
“Panuigon,” derived from the word “Tuig” or “Year,” is the annual planting season of native rice varieties which usually starts May to June in many parts of Mindanao.
Since the yield of native rice varieties is very low, not many tribal farmers do this now.
With the discovery of a new Hybrid Rice Variety, US Agriseeds Th82 (NSIC Rc305H) which grows without irrigation and resilient to long dry spell and drought, the DA could launch an Upland Rice Farming Program to cover 1-million hectares.
The Upland Rice Farming in Ancestral Lands could be incorporated in the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo – 4K Program, a Tribal food production and livelihood program which I personally designed and crafted in 2019.
At an average yield of 4-metric tons, the Ancestral Lands could produce 2-million metric tons of rice which is half of what the country is importing right now.
The good thing about this program is that Upland Rice Farming is not as capital intensive as lowland rice farming since there is no need for irrigation facilities.
The only interventions needed would be seeds, farm inputs, mini-rice mills and solar dryers to be established in Tribal Communities.
Since the “Panuigon” in Mindanao starts May and June, there is still enough time to prepare the seeds and the inputs for the 2025 Season.
With the support of DA 10, the Tagoloanon Tribal Farmers Cooperative, BUKTAMACO, the Provincial LGU of Bukidnon and Seedworks Philippines, we have shown the way to food security and prosperity for our Tribal People in the highlands.
The ball is now in the hands of our Economic Managers and Policy Makers to support Sec. Laurel in implementing this program.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!