Department of Agriculture (DA) Region IV-CALABARZON Regional Director Arnel V. de Mesa presented rice production plans for the CALABARZON region on August 27, 2020 in Lipa City, Batangas. The plans were formulated in compliance with the directive of Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar to develop and finalize an action plan to maximize farm yields and ensure that higher rice production targets are achieved for the upcoming 2020–2021 dry season.

Director de Mesa stated in his presentation that CALABARZON needs to increase its rice yield. He said the provinces of Quezon and Batangas accounted for 75 percent of the region’s rice production, but both provinces resulted in low yield per unit hectare. 

“With the Rice Program, DA CALABARZON, will concentrate on how to adopt quality seeds, good irrigation, and good coordination with the local government units, with the primary objective of improved rice yield,” said Director de Mesa as he discussed the regional office’s plans that are patterned and aligned with the DA central office’s recommendations. 

Aimed at effectively providing services and encouraging farmers, these plans shall include: identifying unique constraints on high rice yield, designing location-specific package interventions, mapping areas for hybrid rice and distribution of certified seeds, and promoting farm clustering. • (MAP, DA-RAFIS)