DA, SoKor strengthen ties in rice sector modernization

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has expressed its deep appreciation to the South Korean government for its continued support in modernizing the Philippines’ rice sector — a cornerstone of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s food security agenda.

The support comes via Official Development Assistance (ODA) Korea, with key projects aimed at improving rice seed and buffer stock management systems. One of the latest efforts under this partnership was the Workshop on Advancing Information Systems for Rice Seed and Buffer Stock Management held on June 5, 2025, at the NFA Multi-Purpose Hall. The event was organized by the Global Agricultural Policy Institute (GAPI) in collaboration with the DA, and included participants from PhilRice, NFA, BPI, and the National Rice Program (NRP).

The initiative is part of an ongoing project funded by Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and implemented by the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC), which aims to improve rice supply chain systems to ensure seed viability and rice quality for distribution and emergency stocks.

GAPI President Dr. Byung Ki Lee, in his opening remarks, said the workshop reflects the enduring cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines in agricultural development. “I trust it will further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our two nations,” he said.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Christopher Morales thanked South Korea for both infrastructure and knowledge-sharing. “Thanks to the Korea ODA Project, we now have cold storage-equipped seed warehouses in Nueva Ecija, Isabela, and Ilocos Norte,” he said. “But more than infrastructure, this partnership has given us technical expertise, fresh perspectives, and a spirit of mutual learning.”

Morales said the workshop’s goals — developing climate-resilient seed information systems, enhancing buffer stock management, and raising awareness — align with the DA’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program.

Backed by the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), the DA’s rice program is set for a major boost, with its annual P10 billion budget tripling to P30 billion starting in 2026. Already, the program helped the country achieve a record palay harvest of 20.06 million metric tons in 2023, despite damage from El Niño and La Niña. The DA is targeting another record this year: 20.46 million metric tons.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded Korea as a “valuable partner in helping Filipino rice farmers benefit from their hard work and in advancing the country’s path to rice self-sufficiency.”

“While we’ve developed innovations like the Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM), we can still learn from South Korea,” he added. “By leveraging their technologies, we can leapfrog rice production—not only to meet our needs, but to contribute to feeding the world.”