"We
are deeply disturbed over reports that government is planning to raise rice
imports this year to a whopping 2.1 million metric tons," said Omi Royandoyan
of the farmers-based research and advocacy NGO, Centro Saka Inc. (CSI). "If we
remember correctly, it was only recently the Department of Agriculture was busy
patting itself on the back for a projected bumper harvest of rice this year. Then,
all of a sudden, we find them tripping over one another in trying to justify
the sharp increase in rice imports," Royandoyan added.
The
planned imports, if pushed through, according to CSI, would be one of the
largest rice importations in history, surpassing imports in 1998, when the
country was then reeling from the effects of El Niņo.
"What
would be the compelling reason for revising the estimated rice import
requirement? Up until recently, the DA has been telling us that production will
increase this year to around 17.3 million metric tons from 16.24 in 2007. Since
there has not been any surge in demand, we find the increase inexplicable! " remarked
Royandoyan.
According
to CSI, the gap between supply and demand has been hovering at about 1 million
metric tons in the last 5 years while the rate of increase in rice requirement
has shown no significant increase.
"Thus,
if we go by the DA's own reports, current plans to increase imports defy logic.
With increasing production, we should be seeing a reduction in imports, not the
other way around. The DA has a lot of explaining to do," Royandoyan said.
The
National Rice Farmers Council (NFRC) also voiced objections to increasing rice
imports barring any sudden spike in demand or drop in production.
NFRC chair Jimmy Tadeo emphasized that, "While we are aware of the
current volatility in the international supply of rice, we do not understand
how it would lead to an increase in the need for imports in the absence of a
reduction in domestic supply or an increase in demand. Unless of course, some
sectors are hoping to cash in on the projected increase in rice prices."
