Corn, cassava self sufficiency rate to be boosted by P5.3-B program

The Department of Agriculture (DA) targets to make the country's self sufficiency in corn and cassava hit 81 percent next year on the back of a P5.3 billion program aimed at improving domestic yield.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

The DA said it has a proposed allocation of P5.31 billion for its national corn program next year that would distribute high-quality planting materials, fertilizers, training, postharvest machinery and small-scale irrigation projects to farmers.

The program aims to boost production of quality corn, cassava, sorghum and soybean for food, feed and industrial use while empowering farmers and stakeholders with science-based interventions and support services, according to the DA.

"Next year, the Department is targeting the local production of at least 81 percent of total demand," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday.