Department of Agriculture to Reassess Masagana Rice Program for Enhanced Production

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Tuesday that it is set to review the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), an initiative aimed at increasing rice production in the country.


Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the DA is conducting a thorough evaluation of the MRIDP to ensure that improvements in productivity translate into significant income growth for farmers.


Inspired by the Masagana 99 program from the administration of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the DA's initiative focuses on producing high-quality rice seeds, optimizing fertilizer use, and establishing a logistics network to efficiently transport harvests to market and deliver inputs to farms.


“We're recalibrating the program to identify areas for enhancement, including the distribution of improved seeds, expansion of irrigation systems, and adjustments to rice cropping schedules," Tiu Laurel explained.


Last year, the Philippines achieved a record harvest of 20.06 million metric tons of palay across 4.82 million hectares of rice fields. If the MRIDP is successful, Tiu Laurel believes it could boost annual palay production to over 25 million metric tons, even if the target yield is only met in the 3.39 million hectares of irrigated land.


The current national average yield stands at approximately 84 sacks per hectare, indicating a pressing need for improvement. In irrigated areas, the average yield is 4.51 metric tons per hectare, while non-irrigated areas yield 3.34 metric tons, resulting in an overall national average of 4.17 metric tons.


Tiu Laurel expressed optimism that with the right inputs and technologies, rice yields could reach 7.5 metric tons per hectare, equivalent to 150 sacks of rice (at 50 kilos per bag). 


“As we move forward, our goal is not only to enhance productivity but also to ensure sustainability and resilience within our agricultural sector,” he stated. “With increased production, farmers will reap the benefits of their hard work, while consumers can expect lower food prices.”

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