In a significant push to bolster the nation’s rice production, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has set an ambitious target of 20.4 million metric tons (MMT) of palay for 2025. This goal, announced on January 20, 2025, reflects a hopeful outlook driven by improved weather forecasts and enhanced support for farmers across the country.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed optimism about surpassing the previous year’s output, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to reinstate a PHP10 billion budget cut for rice production. In 2023, the Philippines achieved a record-breaking 20.06 MMT of palay, a figure that was challenged by the El Niño phenomenon and subsequent weather disturbances in 2024, which reduced production to 19.3 MMT.
Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa, the DA spokesperson, highlighted that the 2025 target represents an increase of nearly 400,000 metric tons over the 2023 record. He attributed this optimistic projection to anticipated favorable weather conditions and a robust set of programs and activities designed to support rice farmers. De Mesa also mentioned the availability of significant funding, including PHP21 billion allocated for the rice program in the 2025 budget and a tripled Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund of PHP30 billion, sourced from duties on imported rice.
The restoration of an additional PHP10 billion for the rice program, as ordered by President Marcos, is expected to further aid in reaching the 20.4 MMT target. Achieving this goal would significantly reduce the need for rice imports, which reached 4.78 MMT in 2024 due to the drop in local production. De Mesa emphasized that an increase from 19.3 MMT to 20.4 MMT would mark a substantial leap, directly impacting the level of rice imports required by the country.