The Philippine Rice Research Institute has committed to give “everything” in 2013 to provide more rice to Filipinos and for export, a government press release said.

President Benigno Aquino has declared 2013 as “National Year of Rice” through Proclamation No. 494, dated Oct. 18, which enlists the help of producers, consumers, policymakers, and stakeholders in achieving the rice self-sufficiency goal.

“We will give everything in 2013 to make the government’s vision a reality,” Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director said during the recent 27th PhilRice anniversary celebration.

By “everything,” Rasco meant the various support services prepared by PhilRice to provide enough food for Filipinos and leave something extra for possible export which include breeding of better seeds and development cost- and waste-reducing technologies and practices.

The agency will also supply farmers with modern inbred and hybrid varieties with higher and more stable yields; generated technologies and recommended practices on fertilizer, water and pest management; and developed machines that will make farming more enjoyable and efficient, the press release said.

Aside from rice, however, Rasco said they are also pushing for the development of corn, banana, camote, and cassava as other sources of carbohydrates for consumers.*

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