The current dry spell plaguing the farmlands of Central and Northern Luzon could derail efforts of the national government to attain rice production target this year. Furthermore, it may even result to severe shortfall of the staple food unless measures are adopted to prevent it.

Caption: SUCCESSFUL HYBRID RICE FARMING IN CAMSUR. Hybrid rice farming (above) could be the answer in the attainment of self-sufficiency in rice and likewise, to fill up the shortfall of the staple food that may result from the dry spell occurring in the farmlands of Northern and Central Luzon. Governor LRay Villafuerte, through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture is currently campaigning to appraise CamSur farmers of the thrust of the provincial government to intensify rice production. S. NIEVES/DREYES-MMEC

        Agricultural experts prognosticate that although there may be less rainfall in Northern and Central Luzon, the Bicol region, the Visayas and the Mindanao areas may not be affected at all by the pesky drought and may continue to have some showers enough to water their rice lands.

        Bicol region, particularly the province of Camarines Sur, which is a surplus rice producer, has a major role to play in the current situation because it could fill up the shortfall in the staple food that may occur as a result of the dry spell afflicting the farmlands of Central and Northern Luzon.

        In fact, the provincial government through the Office of the Provincial Agriculture (OPA) is now urging Camarines Sur farmers to raise the level of their rice production to meet the shortfall of the staple food as a result of the impending drought.

        Since the time he assumed the reins as provincial executive of the province, Governor LRay Villafuerte has continually been drumbeating for agricultural productivity because of his firm belief that it will contribute immensely to the economic acceleration of the province.

        Of particular interest to the young governor is rice production particularly the hybrid seed variety because of the higher yields and bigger net returns.

        In support of the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program of the national government and to motivate Camarines Sur farmers to plant the hybrid rice seed variety, the governor launched the annual Search for Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmer which is now on its third outing.

        In the first season of the Search of the Outstanding Hybrid Rice Farmer, top winner, farmer Aida Badong posted a record of 344 cavans per hectare, the highest hybrid rice production in the country.

        Indeed, the prospect of the hybrid rice seed variety is very bright in the attainment of self sufficiency in rice and in meeting the shortfall in rice producing areas of the country that would be affected by the dry spell.

        Provincial Agriculture Head Jo Panambo disclosed that her office is currently in the campaign to intensify rice production in the province, instructing her field workers to appraise farmers in coordination with the municipal LGUs of the current thrust of the provincial government. The immediate current goal of the provincial government is to encourage farmers to increase the level of production of rice to meet the shortfall as a result of the dry spell in the Northern and Central Luzon areas of the country. SNIEVES