MANILA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine Department of Agriculture has created a specialized office to strengthen coordination and implementation of rice development initiatives across the country, local media reported on Sunday.
According to GMA News, the Interim Rice Industry Development Office will oversee programs under the National Rice Program and the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. The move comes as the rice sector faces high production costs, inadequate post-harvest facilities and a growing need for climate-resilient farming practices.
The department said the new office will ensure more focused management of the rice sector.
Rice is the staple food of the Philippines, a nation of more than 110 million people, and the government has long sought to raise output and reduce reliance on imports. ■