PROGRAM PREPARES RICE FARMERS FOR SOUTHEAST ASIAN FREE TRADE

The challenge of Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to farmers to produce 10 metric tons per hectare and limiting production expenses to P5 for every kilo produced under the “Palayabangan: 10-5 Challenge” will help prepare farmers for free trade in 2015.

Dr. Eufemio Rasco Jr., PhilRice executive director, said that one of the issues confronting the country’s economy, including its farming sector, is the free-trade regime that will come into force in 2015.