Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the government under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. is focused on improving rice production and reducing post-harvest losses through science and technology.
During his visit to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in the Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija, Tiu Laurel told rice experts and scientists on the importance of harmonized efforts from all sectors to attain food sufficiency.
“We just have to focus our efforts and synchronize with each other in implementing our rice programs with all agencies, local government units, and stakeholders,” the agriculture chief said.
“The dream of being rice sufficient is achievable,” the agriculture head stressed. “We just have to work in harmony.”
“I will not take the Cabinet post and take the responsibility as secretary if I didn’t see any hope in the agriculture sector.”
According to Tiu Laurel, he would not take the Cabinet post and taken the responsibility if he didn’t see any hope in the agriculture sector.
“The Department of Agriculture will launch a massive modernization program to increase rice recovery.”
Following the directive of Marcos to increase rice production, he announced that the Department of Agriculture will launch a massive modernization program to increase rice recovery after milling from 62 percent and lessen wastage after harvest.
Tiu Laurel also committed to look into the staffing of PhilRice, and bring in more employees to its current 297 personnel, as well as scientists to help improve the Philippine rice sector.
PhilRice executive director John de Leon said the agency now employs 1,500 as contractual workers, many of them highly capable in their respective fields.
With 140-hectares and eight stations throughout the country, Tiu Laurel recognized that PhilRice is severely undermanned, especially for its central role in producing seeds and developing technology that would help increase rice output.
