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For Filipinos, rice is life. It is as basic and essential as air and water. It is eaten at every meal and is a symbol of sustenance and survival. Yet, despite its importance, the Philippines struggles to feed its own people with locally grown rice. It is heartbreaking and shameful that we depend on farmers from Vietnam, Thailand, and India to provide us with this staple food. What makes this worse is the high cost of imported rice, which hurts the pockets of ordinary workers.

Imagine a worker earning a daily wage of only P610 but needing to spend P50 or more for just one kilo of rice. This situation shows how badly government agricultural policies have failed. Even with a maximum suggested retail price (SRP) of P58 per kilo for imported rice, it’s clear that the supposed benefits of lower tariffs on imported rice have not reached consumers. Instead, they have only proven the ineffectiveness of these economic strategies.

Government officials often speak of helping farmers. They announce programs with complicated names and fancy acronyms, but in truth, these programs rarely make a difference to the lives of the farmers. Most farmers continue to struggle, living in poverty despite their hard work. The reality of farming is found in the fields, under the sun, where farmers spend long hours planting, caring for crops and harvesting. If the government truly wants to help, officials need to leave their air-conditioned offices and go to the fields. They need to talk to farmers and, more importantly, listen to what they need.

Farming is not an easy job. As the popular Filipino song “Magtanim Ay Di Biro” says, “Magtanim ay di biro, maghapong nakayuko.” This song reminds us of the backbreaking labor that farmers endure to produce rice. Every grain of rice on our plates represents sweat, pain, and dedication. Yet, many farmers do not get the recognition or support they deserve. They face problems like expensive seeds and fertilizers, unpredictable weather, and low selling prices for their crops.

When I was a child, my mama (Edwina Orillosa) would always tell me to eat every single grain of rice on my plate. She said this not because of the starving children in faraway places but to honor the hard work of the farmers. I learned to appreciate the effort that goes into every “butil” of rice.

The government must take action to fix the agricultural system. They should invest in modern farming technologies, provide fair pricing for farmers, and ensure that local rice production is enough to meet the country’s needs. Only then can we reduce our dependence on imported rice and give our farmers the support they deserve.

Rice is more than just food for Filipinos; it is part of our culture and identity. We must honor and protect the people who produce it. By supporting our farmers, we are not only ensuring food security but also showing respect for their tireless efforts. Let us not waste their hard work and start making changes for a better future.

Source : sunstar