THE Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) based in Los Baños provided insights and fostered a healthy discussion on rice policy innovation at a recent International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) training workshop.
Addressing critical issues related to food security, food self-sufficiency and the challenges of agricultural pricing policies, the training workshop in September reviewed various policy approaches, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and examined the role of agriculture in poverty reduction and combating malnutrition.
It was participated by 23 researchers and policy influencers from IRRI, Caraga State University, the Department of Agriculture (DA), DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, Department of Finance, and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.
As a speaker in the panel discussion on "Rice Trade Liberalization and Improving the Competitiveness of the Philippine Rice Sector," SEARCA Center Director Glenn Gregorio provided an in-depth analysis of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) and its impact on the Philippine rice industry.
During the event that was part of the three-day Training Workshop on Self-sufficiency, Food Security and Agricultural Transformation by IRRI, Gregorio explained how "the law replaced quantitative import restrictions with tariffs to enhance the competitiveness of local rice farmers."
He emphasized the need for the full implementation of the Philippine Rice Industry Roadmap 2030 that aims to have a "rice-secure Philippines" by ensuring rice is available, affordable, accessible, safe and nutritious for all Filipinos.
Gregorio explained that the road map "focuses on improving competitiveness, enhancing resiliency to disasters and climate risks, and guaranteeing the availability of safe and nutritious rice."
He highlighted the significance of the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund that supports the National Rice Program of the DA focusing on four key areas, namely rice farm mechanization, inbred rice seed development and promotion, expanded rice credit assistance and rice extension services.
Stressing the crucial role of innovation in driving transformational change within the rice sector, Gregorio explained that "innovation is critical in several areas, including policy innovation, which involves creating more inclusive services, identifying new funding sources and implementing supportive policies."
He added that institutional innovation is also necessary for improving governance and building stronger partnerships while social innovation plays a key role in addressing community needs and driving development.
On the other hand, Gregorio said technological innovation is also essential for scaling solutions and enhancing education, while conceptual innovation introduces new ways of thinking and working that improve governance and organizational effectiveness.
Also during the panel discussion, the panelists discussed the advantages and disadvantages of RTL, its potential amendments and the role of researchers in supporting its effective implementation.
Panelists included Roehlano Briones, senior research fellow at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies; Fermin Adriano, The Manila Times business columnist and former member of the Advisory Council at the Asian Development Bank Institute; and Bruce Tolentino, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas former Monetary Board member.
Valerien Pede, IRRI Transformative Policies and Investments Unit head, was the moderator.
Briones said the RTL is "pro-consumer" and that, for many years, restrictive import policies had driven up the retail price of rice.
"When import restrictions were lifted, prices fell," he said, but acknowledged that while the reform lowered rice prices, it reduced the income of rice farmers.
Rather than scrapping the law, Briones said enhancing the domestic rice industry's competitiveness and reducing the cost of rice production will help Filipino farmers compete with their counterparts in Thailand, Vietnam and other major rice-exporting countries.
Calling for greater competition among traders to promote a more democratic and competitive market, Tolentino emphasized the need for broader participation in rice importation, currently limited to a select group of private traders and that "we need to democratize the way our trade operates by allowing more traders to participate and compete."
Adriano highlighted the importance of fully understanding and appreciating the reform, and that enacting reforms without the confidence of implementers is a significant challenge.
For his part, Gregorio emphasized the importance of research and development, particularly creating new climate-smart rice varieties to boost productivity and competitiveness under the RTL.