Irrigation facilities needed in Eastern Samar
By Alice Nicart
Borongan, Eastern Samar (10 July) -- In order to achieve the rice sufficiency target for the province, as envisioned by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Director Leo Caneda of the Department of Agriculture named irrigation as the topmost requirement of Eastern Samar farmers.
This, he said in his message at the two-day Food Summit at the Provincial Capitol today.
"In fact, about 35% of the total rice yield can be attributed to irrigation facilities," Caneda presented. "Without this infra facility, we cannot expect an increased rice production," he added.
It was reported in the presentation that the province has more or less 18,000 hectares of irrigable land but nearly 3,000 is only irrigated. With the current status of 55% rice sufficiency index of the province, it is projected that the 100% target can be closely achieved once irrigation system is expanded. Then, Caneda added, there will be reduced importation and an increased income of the marginalized farmers can also be expected.
Aside from the irrigation systems, Caneda advised the farmers to use hybrid seeds for a quality of rice production but he also reminded the support staff to be always accessible to the farmers for some advice and right direction. He also stressed that there is no supply crisis of rice in the province only price crisis. (PIA-Eastern Samar) [top]
