Never Too Late! Upland Rice Farming To Cushion Supply Shortage

Upland Rice Farming, this time using modern Hybrid Rice Varieties, could yet help the country cushion the adverse effect of a worlwide rice supply shortage.
This was one of the three urgent measures which I recommended to be undertaken in an hour-long interview by Catholic Radio.Station DXND yesterday.
The interview focused primarily on what actions should be taken by the country to prepare for a rice supply shortfall following the move of India, which supplies 40% of rice in the world market, to ban exports.
While earlier I listed 7 measures which could be undertaken by government, this time I narrowed the list to just three doable strategies.
First, the use of Hybrid Rice Seeds in irrigated areas must be intensified because production could increase by at least 2 metric tons per hectare;
Second, repair and rehabilitation of existing Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) and the construction of more units since these could be completed in six months, including the repair and rehabilitation of Communal Irrigation Systems;
Third, a return to the traditional upland rice farming, especially in the highlands of Mindanao, this time using Modern Hybrid Varieties which mature in less than 4 months and produce at least 6-metric tons per hectare.
I mentioned specifically the Hybrid Tatag TH82 of Seedworks which could be planted without irrigation.
Upland Hybrid Rice Seeds could be distributed to families in the highlands who will be tasked to plant at least 1/2 hectare for family consumption.
Distributing Upland Hybrid Rice Seeds is a better option than the cash assistance given to rice farmers which hardly contribute to increased production.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!