Vol. XXI, No. 184 [ Business World Online ]
Monday, April 21, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
DAVAO CITY — The Davao Oriental provincial government will block attempts to convert rice farms into other uses, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon said at the weekend.
The province is Davao Region’s top producer of high-quality rice and was identified as among the areas where significant shift from rice fields to banana plantations was observed in recent years.
"We have identified [the rice farms]. What is for rice shall never been converted for other purposes," Ms. Malanyaon said.
This after the Davao City-based Mindanao Business Council said the government should find ways to address the farmers’ low income so they will not convert their lands to other uses.
Vicente T. Lao, council chairman, said the state can provide support for better yield, including providing post-harvest facilities in remote areas.
Wary of profitability
Although corporate rice farming is a way to increasing production, Mr. Lao said some big companies are wary of profitability compared to investing in other agricultural products.
"They [agricultural companies] think corporate farming is not feasible to sustain," Mr. Lao said in a briefing last week.
Corporate farming was a requirement for big companies during the Marcos years after it was initiated by then Agriculture secretary Arturo R. Tanco. — CQF
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