Organic farming advocates are praising Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala for ordering a review of the hybrid rice program and rice import policy.

Roland Cabigas, managing director of La Liga Policy Institute (La Liga) and a convenor of Go Organic! Philippines, said such review is needed in the face of the “apparent failure of the hybrid rice program and rice importation policy to address perennial problems, including poor production, supply shortage, and price control.”

Given these issues, Cabigas added, “a comprehensive review of the government’s programs and policies is only to be expected.”

“It is about time to give the hybrid rice program and the rice importation policy another look because it is obvious that they are not helping address the country’s food security woes,” he stressed.

Cabigas was reacting to recent statements by Alcala about doubts over the hybrid rice program of the government.

Alcala, an organic farming practitioner, said only 10 percent of rice farmers are into hybrid rice production, 30 percent are using certified seeds while 60 percent use ordinary seeds.

He said gradually increasing areas planted to certified seeds in the next few years will be an option for the DA instead of pushing too much on hybrid rice.

Alcala wants the country not only to achieve rice self-sufficiency but also export organic rice, the demand for which is rising in the world market.

Cabigas said government spent a big chunk of the DA budget to promote supposedly high-yielding hybrid rice varieties over the past decade.

But the DA overlooked the need to invest in the repair and rehabilitation of existing, and construction of new irrigation, post harvest facilities, training, extension and other important services like marketing to boost production make rice accessible at an affordable price.