Rice shortage looms in Eastern Samar

By NINFA QUIRANTE, PIA Borongan
January 20, 2011

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Officials in Eastern Samar fear a rice shortage in the offing due to excessive rains in the past weeks.

According to Provincial Agriculturist Jesus Agda, the floods damaged 70% of the province’s rice farms. The supply of rice seeds for the next planting season is also expected to dwindle due to the continuous rains.

Farm animals in nine towns across the province also took a beating as damage to this sector reached P6 million as of Provincial Veterinary Office’s most recent report.  Also according to the report, in the town of Maslog alone, the damages to farm animals rose to almost a million pesos.

Local officials are concerned about the state of the main source of livelihood for most people in Eastern Samar which is farming.

In most towns, farmers still use carabaos to plow fields in the absence of tractors.

In an interview with Leyte-Samar Daily Express, Department of Agriculture Region 8 Director Leo Cañeda revealed that the department has initiated a rehabilitation program for farmers who were affected by the recent calamities. The farmers can get rice seeds at a subsidized price from the department.

Recent reports also reveal that the DA is planning to test submergence-tolerant rice varieties to help farmers in the region often stricken by storms and heavy rains. With the incessant rains, and La Niña, using rice seeds that can withstand the floods will help farmers in the rice-producing region.