Rice Sufficient Enclaves! Establishing ‘Rice Republics’ To Start ‘Food Sovereignty’

We are now faced with the sad reality that the disastrous Rice Tariffication Law had given the Rice Cartel full control of the supply and prices of the Filipino’s staple food and poor consumers are now forced to cough up P60 of their meager daily wages to buy a kilo of rice.
Farm gate prices of paddy rice, on the other hand, are dictated by the traders who take cue from the Rice Cartel, leaving the farmers uncertain of the profitability of their produce.
So, how do we assure the farmers that prices would be stable so that they would be encouraged to plant more and how do we protect the consumers from the high prices?
There are two ways that I could think of to achieve this.
First, there must be a review and amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law but given the benefits that many of those in power are reaping from it, this is not expected to sail through Congress or the Senate.
Second, the concept of independent “Rice Republics” which I, with the help of other Food Sufficiency Advocates, have designed should be replicated in the agricultural communities of the country.
The “Rice Republics” are actually the microcosm of the ideal set up for the whole country where rice production is undertaken and measured to supply the local rice requirements.
This would assure the farmers of a steady market for their produce and consumers a stable price of rice.
Any production in excess goes to established outlets in areas which do not produce rice.
There are three models of the “Rice Republics” which I have designed, one of which has already started while the two others are now being refined.
1. Upland Rice Farming In Tribal Areas – In Malaybalay, Bukidnon, members of the Tagoloanon Tribe have established a model farm for Upland Rice Farming with the help of the Dept. of Agriculture Region 10. The program engages tribal families to return to the traditional Upland Rice Farming but this time using a modern Hybrid Rice Variety which could planted through dry-seeding. The village will be provided with a mini-rice mill to process the harvested rice. Anything in excess of the requirements of the tribal families will be bought by the tribal association to be marketed as special upland rice.
2. Farmers Rice Corporation – Inspired by the story of a former rice farm worker-turned billionaire Larry Y. Rubinos of Davao del Norte, I have designed a concept of a farmers’ owned corporation which will finance all of the production requirements of the members in Braulio Dujali town in Davao del Norte. The farmers will sell their produce to the corporation which in turn will process and market it in the locality. Anything in excess goes to the market under a brand name. By-products in rice milling which include rice bran and hulls will serve as the farmers’ buy-in of the shares in the corporation.
3. Local Government Unit-led Economic Enterprise – LGUs with progressive thinking executives could implement a local Rice Production and Processing Program to supply the needs of the locality. Just like the Farmers’ Corporation, the LGU Economic Enterprise could provide for the production needs of the farmers under a Buy-Back Scheme. This will ensure sufficient supply for the locality while generating income for the LGU from the sale of rice.
All of these three models will insulate the communities involved from the vagaries of the market while ensuring local consumers of affordable prices and farmers of a guaranteed price.
These models, however, would need champions in the localities who would be impervious to pressures of traders and members of the Rice Cartel.
Through these strategies, we could protect our farmers and consumers while at the same time achieve “Food Sovereignty” for the country, one village at a time.
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#GovernanceIsCommonSense!