AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar on Sunday assured that there is ample supply of rice not only in the country but also around the world amid the impact of coronavirus pandemic.
A two-month inventory of rice was stored in the country aside from the coming harvest this April, Dar said in a televised interview.
“More than two months ang imbentaryo natin. Meron pa itong Abril, mag-aani tayo. Huwag tayong mabahala sa bigas. Huwag lang tayong mag-hoarding para may sapat mabili lahat,” he said.
“Maraming bigas sa mundo. Ang problema lang kung lahat ng countries ay hindi mag-export,” he added.
Dar noted that Vietnam vowed to observe the rice import deal with the Philippines. According to him, more than a million metric tons of rice has yet to be delivered in the country.
The Agriculture secretary also said the prices of rice in the country remain steady as the supply is enough for the demand.
Food security
The Department of Agriculture has been distributing seeds as it encouraged the public to plant them in their own farms and backyards as part of food security.
“Habang nasa enhanced community quarantine tayo ay may mga ginagawa rin para makatulong sa household food security,” Dar said.
For those who are interested, Dar said they can reach out to the Bureau of Plant Industry through Facebook. The distribution of seeds will be organized in barangays to observe physical distancing.(GMA News)
