EDITORIAL

The Importance of Irrigation
In Productivity

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

To raise Aklan’s current rice production level to meet population demand through the use of hybrid and inbred lines may not be sufficient to wither climate aberration and pest/disease outbreak. The target area for hybrid rice in Aklan province is 1,500 hectares. While inbred is 5,000 hectares according to Mr. William Castillo, OIC Provincial Agriculturist of Aklan.

Based on the 2007 Gintong Masaganang Ani (GMA) Updated rice physical area, only 39.2 percent of Aklan’s rice land of 17,120 hectares is irrigated. Rainfed areas abound in Batan – 98.4 percent of total area planted, Libacao – 92.9 percent and Altavas – 92.2 percent. As expected farm productivity and income of farmers are depressed over the years caused by the absence of controlled water. Current surplus rice production is estimated at 217,821.6 cavans or 21.4 percent of the on production and population demand.

Obviously, there is very significant difference on farm productivity and income between irrigated and rainfed farms. While irrigated farms average 4.5 metric tons harvest per hectare, rainfed gets only 3.5 metric tons per hectare. Moreover, depending on resources of the farmer, he can engage in second or third cropping with the use of direct seeding and low cost farm machines. Sadly however, this kind of opportunity does not exist in rainfed farms. The shortage of cash to spend for farm inputs during the dry season coupled with marginal harvest are realities in the farms hard to ignore.

It is notable that Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, Exec. Director of Aklan Rivers Development Council is actively batting for developing full potential of our 17 existing rivers. This is on renewable energy, irrigation, potable water, recreation and inland fisheries. Of course, the job of expanding irrigation system falls squarely on National Irrigation Administration and the Bureau of Soils and Water Management.

However, Local Government Units could exert its initiative to petition responsible agencies to allocate more funds for irrigation development, operation, and maintenance. A challenge could be expanding the current 138 hectares. Small Water Impounding Project area since this does not involve the use of costly machines and fossil fuel.

The strategy of using improved rice varieties to increase production has its own merit but provided with the optimum environment for sustainability. The leading rice exporters in Asia like Vietnam and Thailand have effectively placed 70-80 percent of their rice land under irrigation. Surplus rice production is indeed attainable only if priority thrust on agriculture is better managed.

Our 2.5 million metric tons of rice importation this year need not happen again. Bureaucrats who thaught it is cheaper to import rice rather than produce them should have their heads examined.

The scenario of 2008 where world rice production fell to critical levels could be an eye opener where food deficit nations like the Philippines could starve and die. It is immensely important that we must be proactive and focus on our capabilities and resources before it is too late. /MP