Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program1
Frisco M. Malabanan2
ABSTRACT
The Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (GMA) Rice Program traces its roots from the Hybrid Rice Commercialization Program (HRCP). The HRCP was launched with the signing of Administrative Order last December 25, 2001. The said order outlines the government strategy to achieve rice self-sufficiency and generate employment opportunities.
The Program is tasked to implement initiatives on production by providing farmers with high quality hybrid and inbred certified seeds, restoration/rehabilitation of irrigation systems, provision of postharvest drying facilities, provision of credit, marketing, extension activities, research and development efforts, and coordination with all rice industry stakeholders.
Initially, the HRCP was under the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). It was then placed under the GMA programs of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The GMA Rice Program is geared towards the attainment of at least 98% rice self-sufficiency in 2010, improvement of farm productivity and income of rice farmers and other stakeholders, and the enhancement of market linkages.
Keywords: GMA Rice Program, hybrid rice, rice self-sufficiency
1Paper presented at the 5th National Grains Postproduction Conference of the Philippine Rice Postproduction Consortium (PRPC) held on 17-18 July 2007 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City, Philippines; 2Director, Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Rice Program. Department of Agriculture, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.