GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Soccsksargen region highlighted the agency’s significant achievements and ongoing initiatives during the fourth installment of “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” held at the DA’s regional office in Koronadal City on June 18.
Regional Executive Director Roberto Perales cited a notable achievement of 108 percent rice self-sufficiency in 2023 for Soccsksargen.
Perales emphasized that the region has not only met its rice demand but also produced a surplus, enhancing food security and sustainability for its residents.
Dr. Lorna P. Vilbar, DA’s regional technical director for research and regulations, defined “rice self-sufficiency” as the ability of the region to meet the demands of the population.
“In terms of our local rice production, we have a total of 1.2 million metric tons,” Vilbar said.
She then detailed the substantial contributions of various provinces to the overall regional ‘palay’ or unmilled rice output.
According to Vilbar, Cotabato emerged as the leading producer, with an impressive production of 498,892 metric tons; Sultan Kudarat followed with 406,929.64 metric tons; and South Cotabato and Sarangani contributed 310,251.32 metric tons and 40,232.94 metric tons, respectively.
This achievement, she said, reflected the effectiveness of the DA’s regional strategies and interventions, including advanced farming techniques, efficient resource management, and robust support systems for farmers. (HJF – PIA SarGen)
