Bohol is region 7’s top rice producer

The province of Bohol has played an important role in the increase of rice production last year making Central Visayas as the highest of all the regions in the country, according to Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 7 Regional Executive Director Leo Cañeda.

Dir. Cañeda said that based on the 2017 Rice Production Performance Report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Central Visayas registered 45% increase in rice production compared to 2016 of which Bohol contributed 54.2%.

However, Central Luzon remains to be the number one in terms of volume of rice yield in the country wherein last year it produced 3.6 million metric tons.
But it only registered an increase of 8.4% compared to its 3.3 million metric tons rice production in the same region in 2016.

Central Visayas harvested 335,420 metric tons in 2017 from 231,982 metric tons in 2016 showing an increase of 44.6% in production.

Last year, areas planted with rice in Region 7 comprises the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and Negros Oriental had increased to 100,834 hectares (has.) from 80,153 has. in 2016.

Cañeda emphasized that amid climate change, the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh), Boholano farmers, agri-related government agencies, and agricultural stakeholders carried on their quest to have more rice production.

Engr. Antonio S. Du, Regional Rice Focal Person, DA-RFO7 during the rice technicians meeting last Tuesday at the Bohol Agricultural Promotion Center (B-APC) also informed the participants of the PSA report and congratulated the Boholanos.

Du said Director Cañeda lauded Bohol whenever he conducted a meeting at DA regional office and attended other gatherings of agricultural sectors.

Lorebien Lagapa – Bohol provincial seed coordinator said the PGBh through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) has an annual allocation intended for agriculture.

Lagapa said there is an increase in this year’s allocation to P4.5 million from P3 million last year.

She explained that this fund has been used to give interventions to Boholano farmers that include the distribution of rice seeds and water pumps, trainings on seed production among others.
The PGBh conducted annually the Suhid sa Malampusong Mag-uumang Bol-anon to give recognition and award to the farmers who have excelled in their field in helping the province to maintain its title as “Rice Basket in Central Visayas.” (Atoy Cosap with reports from Lorebian Lagapa)