Philippines: Farmers Support Organic Farming Over Hybrid Rice

A coalition of local farmers in Philippines have asked the government to focus on providing technical support for organic farming instead of the current subsidy on hybrid rice production on prevailing low adoption rates.

Citing a World Bank study released in June this year, the coalition, Rice Watch and Action Network, said adoption of the hybrid rice technology has been slow across the Philippines, with coverage peaking at only 11% of total rice area in 2005 even though the government subsidy has been in place for several years.

Earlier this week, the Philippines' agriculture department said it will continue to subsidize the hybrid rice program to achieve the country's goal of self-sufficiency in the crop by 2010.