Antique achieves 143% rice self-sufficiency, ensures supply for 131 days

ILOILO CITY—The province of Antique has achieved 143.77 percent rice self-sufficiency, with enough supply to meet local consumption needs for 131 days, according to the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Agricultural Technician II Christian Dubria said the province’s achievement underscores Antique’s growing role in national food security and rice resilience as it joins the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) celebration this November.

“The province of Antique is joining the NRAM through setting up a Rice-Based Exhibit Booth that will promote rice and value-added rice products,” Dubria said.

The booth, to be set up at the New Antique Capitol lobby from November 18 to 20, will feature displays and sales of rice and processed rice products from local farmers and clusters. It will also serve as Antique’s official entry to the NRAM regional contest to be judged by officials from the Department of Agriculture and the agribusiness sector.

Based on OPA’s rice supply and demand analysis covering January 1 to October 31, Antique produced a total of 195,936.84 metric tons of palay, equivalent to 1,833,968.85 bags of rice, ensuring sufficient supply for the province’s 643,173 residents. The province’s daily rice demand is pegged at 4,252 bags.

“We are assured that we have enough supply of rice for our local consumption for the next 131 days,” Dubria said.

Officials said Antique’s rice sufficiency level reflects the gains of the province’s continuous investment in rice production programs, including support for farmers, irrigation systems, and value-added enterprises that promote sustainable agriculture and local food security.