Imee: Nat'l Rice Awareness is no time to lie fallow

"It's National Rice Awareness Month, but despite all our awareness of the rising prices, there's barely any rice to harvest. Let's use this time to take action, such as improving the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture and updating the lists of eligible rice assistance beneficiaries. Local government units must ensure that those on the list are actual rice farmers," Senator Imee Marcos said.

The senator further stated, "We should take this opportunity for desilting or cleaning up farmlands, irrigation channels, and water storage facilities. This is essential for better water flow, which will aid a 2nd cropping."

"I am calling on the Department of Agriculture to launch livelihood programs for farmers, such as planting fast-growing crops like Chinese water spinach and sweet potatoes, and distributing goats, piglets, ducks, and chickens as additional sources of income for farmers affected by calamities," Sen. Marcos added.

This National Rice Awareness Month, Marcos highlighted the importance of farmers: "We cannot allow the farmers who feed us to go hungry. Dasurv nila ang ating suporta at pagmamahal." (PR)