Rice farmers reacted with disdain over the pronouncement of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that relying on food imports is still good economics if the country is still able to earn enough to afford it.

National Rice Farmers Council President Jaime "Ka  Jimmy" Tadeo  said that,  "President Arroyo's rice policy is crazy. What good would it do even if we have enough money for rice imports if there is nothing left to buy? May we remind the President that government's reliance on rice imports instead of self-sufficiency is one of the reasons why we are facing an impending rice shortage."

Tadeo stressed that, "The rice traded in the global market is only six percent of total production. That is likely to go down to four percent because Vietnam, India, Egypt and Cambodia--which contribute a third of the total rice traded--have imposed limits on their rice exports. If China corners the bulk of the rice traded, there might be nothing left for other rice importers like the Philippines.  The only way out of this food crisis is to reverse the current rice policy and move towards self-sufficiency in rice production."

Tadeo added that, "Reliance on food imports is bad economics, especially in the context of a tight market. Self-sufficiency in food, on the other hand, is good economics."

Meanwhile, Centro Saka's Executive Director Omi Royandoyan said that, "They should prioritize self-sufficiency in rice production on the agenda during the Food Summit tomorrow. In addition, government should start providing incentives for rice farmers and put more emphasis on organic rice farming as it is more sustainable and much better for the country. They should also impose a moratorium on land conversion."

For further information, please contact Jimmy Tadeo at 09157020387 or Miguel Musngi at 928-7464 and 926-6607.