PH targets 20.46 MMT palay harvest for 2025

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government has targeted 20.46 million metric tons of palay production for 2025, a little over the estimated one million-metric ton output last year, with expected better weather and production.

"Bukod dun sa ine-expect natin na magandang panahon, 'yong mga programa na naka-set ngayon, 'yong mga activities natin at interventions, we are expecting, the secretary (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.) is very optimistic, that we can achieve yung ganitong level of harvest," Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa told reporters on Monday, Jan. 20.

[Translation: Aside from better weather, we are expecting, the secretary is very optimistic, that we can achieve that level of harvest with our programs, activities, and interventions.]

In a statement, the DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. was optimistic “following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to restore the [DA] budget for rice production.”

"Ngayon, ang budget ng (National) Rice Program ay nasa P21 billion as per the 2025 General Appropriations Act. We're seeking additional P9 to P10 billion para sa rice program, depende sa DBM (Department of Budget and Management) kung saan nila iso-source," De Mesa added.

[Translation: Currently, the budget of the National Rice Program is at P21 billion as per the 2025 General Appropriations Act. We're seeking an additional P9 to P10 billion for the rice program. It would depend on the DBM where it will be sourced.]

In its statement, the DA said the preliminary estimate for 2024 rice output is around 19.3 million metric tons after farmers faced extreme weather and incurred billions in damage.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said in November that he is expecting “negative growth... for the full year for agriculture” following successive storms in the fourth quarter.

In 2023, the country produced 20.06 million metric tons, which the DA said was a “record high.”

Data from the DA showed around 4.7 million metric tons of rice imports arrived in the country last year.

The agency also said the National Food Authority will buy a minimum of 300,000 metric tons from farmers as buffer stock, or the optimal level of rice inventory for emergencies.

Laurel is set to declare a food security emergency on rice to release 300,000 metric tons of buffer stocks, decongesting NFA warehouses as the harvest season approaches.

The possible declaration comes after the tariff cut on rice imports did not result in significantly bringing down prices.