AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin said House Bill 3600, or the Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Institute Act, would help farmers take advantage of above average rainfall through the establishment of the Philippine Rainfed Agriculture Institute (PhilRAI), as an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Rainfed agriculture or dryland farming refers to the cultivation of crops without irrigation, mainly utilizing water that comes from precipitation stored in unsaturated soil.
Citing data from the Bureau of Agricultural Research, Garin said that only 12.5 percent, or 1.626 million hectares, of the country’s agricultural area is irrigated, while an estimated 75% of cultivated agricultural land is dependent on rainfed agriculture.
“There is no denying that rainfed agriculture is crucial to the food security of the Philippines. However, it is becoming more and more difficult because of the problems associated with climate change, among others,” said Garin.
Once the bill is enacted into law, PhilRAI will spearhead the research and development for rainfed agriculture. The institute is also expected to craft a strategic framework to serve as basis for developing programs for rainfed agriculture and as an action plan for research, development, extension, and monitoring activities.
Crucial in the framework are the following components: building climate resilient communities, resilient farming systems innovation, integrated natural resources management, database development and management, capacity building, advocacy information and dissemination, monitoring and evaluation.
PhilRAI shall be headed by an executive director who shall serve for six years.
An initial budget of ₱500 million from the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund and other fund sources of the DA shall be allocated to PhilRAI for its start-up and operating expenses.
The bill is pending with the House Committee on Agriculture and Food.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 20) – A bill was filed at the House of Representatives seeking to establish an institute to promote rainfed agriculture in addressing food security in country, amid the onset of La Niña.
