Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Patricia, CA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:04:39 GMT

Ask ones choice in a "church" to pay ones debt, you'll find the answer as a "quip" "to maintain security of the good one must pay for it." Hebrews 4:9 not much in a building.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

M....................TEXAS — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:10:26 GMT

Mexico's UNAM University and politecnico University in Mexico City, Mexico have developed drought resistant crops that can survive months with out water. The researchers have also managed to develope bug resistant crops, by targetting specific pest that consume the crops folliage. I think it's something American and world scientist should seriously consider looking into, because of the significance of the research the Mexican scientist have accomplished.

Just imagine farmers in poor countries no longer having to fear Locust!

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Brian Storm — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:24:55 GMT

I wish the food crisis in the PHilippines is just a matter of wrong government priorities but Philippines is well know for its corruption. Money meant for the farmers are stolen by the Arroyo administration to the last cent. The Philippine food crisis is more of Government stealing from the poor than a policy failure. The Arroyo government actually love programs for the poor as they can easily siphon money out of this program to enrich themselves.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Jackie Rawlings Riverside California — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:30:40 GMT

Interesting topic as I've read alot about the food needed around the world. All the money that's given isn't going for food or to those in need of food. Watching the UN report about less then 10 per cent of the total money allowed for food goes to the people.

Funny as the answer was given but never applied. For those who have read the bible Boaz was blessed with a full healthy harvest and when he picked what he needed the remaining crop were left for the poor. Countries all over the World have alot of left over but throw it away. With the money pocketed by the thieves, if grain and seeds were given we wouldn't hear of hunger. After reading the UN report of how Paul Wolfowitz handled the Work Bank and allowing billions to go deeper in proverty one can only ask that the World look to someone who will simply help the people with GLEANING and stop the cooperation. Talk is cheap it's action that will make the change around the World. Many people don't want a head out but want to grow their own fields and support themselves. We can do it if we stop the stealing. I watched Bill Clinton and Bill Gates who handle the direction of their agencys to make sure the need and money goes directly to the people. Right now the Bush Administration is funding the terrorist in Africa and other groups with money that should be going to those in need for food and medication. We opened our eyes to the crimes the Bush Administration has been doing for 7 years it's time to open our eyes to where our tax dollars are going.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Tom, Kansas City, Mo — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:38:51 GMT

I am amazed, but not unaware. My Asawa, or Wife, grew up in the Sugar Cane fields of Northern Cebu. The corruption in the RPI at all levels of Government is intractable and all pervasive.
This is a democracy where it is accepted and expected that you will be paid a certain amount to vote a certain way.
The same Spanish, Chinese and Luzon families that have controlled and fed off the poplulace since the end of WWII will never give up power.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Minneapolis — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:40:03 GMT

This is an example of how the WTO and IMF and their insane trade policies they force on other countries worsen their economies by forcing the markets to shift to monopolies that control price and available.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

don norlander, orono, mn — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:52:01 GMT

we own two acres over there.. visited this summer only to find the land full of weeds.. local farm hands told us the cost of seed + fertilizer was greater than the crop would fetch.. only thing i saw near our place was corn.. in the jungle! they told us it went to local fast-food joints ( corn-on-the-cob for KFC, or livestock feed for burgers).

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

RONNIE SACAYANAN, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:05:23 GMT

Your article prove what's really going on in the country. The ongoing corruption of government officials not only hampered growth but implies what politicians had promised them for generations: Help that never came but instead pocketed by government officials. The current investigation of a Dept. of Agriculture underseccretary doling out millions of fertilizer money to congressmes and town officials proved how the system of corruption works within the government itself. Not only the trust was weakened, the farmers wound up with nothing but loan defaults and hunger.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Lexy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:06:11 GMT

Investment in drought or flood tolerant strains of rice only encourages population growth which is the real problem. At some point we need to broach the sensitive topic of population control before a Mathulsian catastrophe takes effect.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Ray Urbi, Fremont, California — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:27:06 GMT

My family owned rice paddies in the central plains of Luzon(the country's rice producing region)which used to be very productive. My father(a third generation landowner)as landlord worked well with tenants on a "canon" system where he provided seeds, irrigation, fertilizer, and insecticide supplies to ensure production. At harvest time, he is repaid his upfront costs and the profit is divided proportionally as the farmers held up the labor part of the deal. This was before the Land Reform program which caused erosion in the synergy and symbiosis and caused distrust between the parties. Now the lands are untilled because the system caused a rift between landowners and farmers. Mr. Williams need to look closely at this grassroot cause of the shortage; if not for this development, the overpopulous nation would have a lot of manpower to capitalize on the IRRI's progress instead of exporting cheap labor as oversees domestic helpers, entertainers, or construction hands.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Adelia, Lake Stevens, Washington — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:09:10 GMT

I just got back from the Philippines, and yes I saw the difference of the rice being sold in the market today. I was asking my niece why the rice have some white stuff mix with the grain. Is that to make more of the volume when they weigh it, because when we buy the rice here in the United States and Canada, there is no other grain except for the rice itself. I feel so bad for the farmers in the Philippines, the government do not help them at all. My nephew works for Patnubay in Gumaca Quezon, which is supported by World Vision, they are helping the farmers start something over there, which is giving them a loan to start up to buy seeds. Why can't the government of the Philippines help this people, why is it that an organization from another country is the one helping the people of the Philippines? I hope Ian Williams can dig up something to make the government of the Philippines wake up and look into this situation. Please tell Mrs Arroyo, to look back how her Dad manage the country when he was the President. I was a small girl then, but I still remember, we have a better living during those times. I know the country have so much population today, but still please bring back the Philippines to be the exporter of the Rice.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Arbie Berno, Philadelphia/ QC, Phils — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:15:39 GMT

Philippines is suffering in every industry not only in agriculture because of corrupt government officials led by the President, and her congressmen in the lower house where the current Senate is investigating a fertilizer fund scam. The Philippines' Dept. of Agriculture is one of the most corrupt agency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Dave T. — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:49:03 GMT

Here's an idea. How about having more avenues for the farmers besides these "three powerful traders"?

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Leanna - Cotati CA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:00:13 GMT

Peace on this planet will hing on adequate food production by each nation not being dependent/at the mercy of other nations and energy much in the same way. The other major factor is water. These basic needs are critical around the globe. We need no wars over fresh water or famine. It is preventable if we act now. No nation should be totally/or predomently dependent on another for its food production or energy. This is an area for great potential and influence as a future for some choosing to have an impact in this world in thier lifetime and beyond.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

mike n, fort collins, co — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:34:07 GMT

back in 1990 people would beg for food in the streets, hundreds of people lived on landfills scrounging for what little food they could find and after 18 years so little sadly has changed. if a country can't feed its own people then it is not independent it is reliant on other suppliers, nations and charitable orgs for their very own survival. filipinos are in my experience some of the most wonderful people i've ever encountered in my travels, and i feel a deep sense of sadness that while the few, and the corrupt at the top of the economic ladder do well, ALL behind their gated walled off compounds, thousands of their fellow countrymen, women and children starve to death out of mind, and out of sight.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Chanel Khan Subic Bay, Philippines — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:47:34 GMT

Hi Ian,

Glad to see you out here in the Philippines, good article on how the poor are getting poorer, especially given that one of the prized tourists sites in the Philippines are the ancient yet still working rice terraces!

Tried to find your email address, email back when you get this!

Chanel in Subic Bay

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

winston — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:12 GMT

What I would like to know is how many children does each household have. Maybe if they didnt keep spewing out all those kids they might have food to feed everyone! You do the news cast if they didnt have a choice what is happening and if they would keep their legs closed maybe it wouldn't be so bad!

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Michael Henagin, Houston Texas — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:16:29 GMT

No wonder these people are having trouble getting enough rice, with women having as many as eight children!
How about serving up a little "birth control" with that ration of rice!

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

lisa jones — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:45:22 GMT

I agree w/ Lexy's comments: When are people going to acknowlege that the real problem is our numbers. The woman highlighted in the article had a population-quadrupling 8 children. The article mentioned that the government was launching a 1 billion dollar rice-growing initative. When is someone going to launch a 1 billion dollar birth control initiative?

I saw a a report years ago that the Pope was visiting the Philippines and encouraging the pro-high-birth- rate tenets in the Catholic Church, and I was horrified that he would do this in an ISLAND nation that clearly has finite resources and has suffered the flooding and mudslides and environmental degradation that comes from overpopulation and deforestation.

We cannot be "green" and not practice family planning w/ an aim at ZPG (zero population growth). We cannot expect crop yields to indefinitely keep up w/ runaway population growth. We cannot expect to share our planet w/ the wonderful animals in it if we continue to degrade their habitat so we can plant more rice or grow bluegrass sod for our lawns.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Winston Orlando, Florida — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:05:31 GMT

Its so sad you wont display the real issue. if they would have some kind of respect for life instead of spewing out kids they might not have this problem.It's called OVER POPULATION! But why show the truth when all this foo foo stuff looks better

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Craig Butler, San Diego, CA — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:25:36 GMT

I agree whole-heartedly with Brian's comment that corruption is the basis for the Philippine rice shortage just as much as the rise in food prices. The Arroyo government is so corrupt that a billion dollar special program to encourage rice crops is nothing more than an opportunity for her cronies to enrich themselves. Of course, they will throw around a few thousand to a few rice projects just to show the people that they're doing something but until the Arroyo government is removed more Filipinos will just have to starve.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Christine Amann, Karlsruhe, Germany — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:46:59 GMT

Why nobody realizes the fact that the only rescue for our planet is to stabilize the world population? All our efforts to increase food production are in vain if we don't solve this basic problem!

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Brian, Düsseldorf, GERMANY — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:08:14 GMT

POPULATION GROWTH!

That's the main problem!

Every year, there are almost 2 million more Filipinos to feed! Imagine all the resources you need (and tons of rice).

First and foremost, I blame the CHURCH for their ignorant position!
Then I blame the Philippine legislators because they don't have the courage to stand up against the church!

Brian

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

The Professor, Brookhaven NY — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:52:01 GMT

Corruption and greed is an accepted way of life around the world just as it is here in America. Our leaders sell their souls to lobbyists working for powerful money interests both foreign and domestic. Once in office they accept money for their campaigns which help them hang onto power. Many, such as Senator Stevens and others, also seek personal gain.

The political systems here and around the world are at fault. While corruption can not be eliminated entirely, there may be a way, at least here in the U.S.A., to control it. That way is through REAL campaign finance reform. Limit total annual political contributions from corporations or other businesses, labor unions or organizations of any kind. Set the number low, let us say one hundred dollars. individual contributions should also be subject to that limit. BUT, first we need a workable and effective law that provides for initiative, referendum and recall at all levels of government.

Neither the Democratic or Republican parties nor their candidates and those in already in office will support this idea. Why? Because it doesn't benefit them. It reduces their power and would level the playing field for other parties and their candidates.

I will not be holding my breath waiting for these reforms as it would take another American Revolution to make it happen. I can only dream that it might happen.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

manuel c Houston, TX — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:03:58 GMT

The Philippines, is a dysfunctional democracy saddled by it's colonial baggages, feudalistic agrarian labor practices, monopolistic stranglehold of key sector of commerce and thorough pervasive corruption sickness at every level of the government. Arroyo, a privileged daughter of former Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, a western educated economist is such a charmer to the western press and western head of states that they are willing to overlook how she run a corrupt and vermin ridden government that enriches her first family, relatives, friend's and political hanger's on. The safety valve that provides relief are the sacrifices done by massive migration of filipino's going for job overseas to support their families need in the Philippines. The remittances are also further burdened with higher cost of good's, services and taxes. For the politically connected families, military and police who are high value Arroyo supporter, they truly pick and gather the illicit harvest that corruption comes with impunity.
The Philippines, is a unique case of being a rice exporter in Asia, to being a rice importer this past year and prices of rice is double due to the allocated agricultural fund's for fertilizer was stolen and diverted for use as Arroyo's, political re-election slush fund's and bribe money to political allies and opposition group's that can be sway'ed. Now, the whole Pihilippines, suffer under the "Diktat", of Madam Arroyo. If you oppose, object or raise social conscious issues of corruption and human right's abuses, you'll be branded as a communist subversive and subject to be arrested, tortured and disappeared with extreme prejudice. So, what potential leader's we have left are those who are willing to perpetuate the corrupt system because those who expressed their conscience for changes were silenced for good. We as Filipino's, are so lost in who we are, saddled by apathy, inured to corruption and unwilling to work for a real change. A problem of co-dependency for constant flow of help in the form of remittances have created a false sense of security to the recipient that all they know is increasing spending without appreciation how their brethren work hard abroad. The government suck's it further through higher taxes and corruption. What job's, services and infrastures? Consider the wages and benefit's and the cost of living. Africa, has Mugabe, we have the Arroyo's dynasty running the Philippines, to a grinding poverty while living it up in the "White Castle" of Malacanang, occupied by the usurper of democratic election.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

linda from- san francisco, california — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:57:52 GMT

if only i am a billionaire or millionaire, i would gladly help the poor people who are getting poorer each day. it is really sad to see and hear about the poor people in the philippines not getting help. i hope and pray to God that he will be always there for them.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Lucia Orth, Lawrence, Kansas — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:14:05 GMT

My novel set in the 1980's Philippines -- BABY JESUS PAWN SHOP -- has just been released. It focuses in part on a Rice Institute, and the fact that the newly developed rice seeds have to be bought, and need fertilizer.

Even after the 1986 Revolution, there was such hope. Thanks for airing this segment. People need to know.

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Spero Benias,Holdenville, Oklahoma — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:23:11 GMT

Dear Ian,
I am interested in helping Dr. Zeigler Director of IRRI. Can you send me how to make contact with his Institute?
Thanks
Spero

Rice in the Philippines: Promise and neglect

Amaresh, Hyderabad, India — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:30:44 GMT

Farmers all over the world are leaving farming and shifting to greener pastures. we need to reverse this trend, farming has to be made economically attractive so that more and more farmers can get benefitted. This can happen only if new high yielding varities are developed which can enhance the productivity manyfolds. We dont need miracles in developing such things, Researchers all over the world (including IRRI) have developed such kind of technology to improve yields in many crops. There is an urgent need to popularize such technologies and this is only possible if GOVT policies are favorable. I still beleive that farmers can benefit themselves if they shift to new high yielding varieties for example growing hybrid rice in case of rice.Population will keep increasing and not much can be done for that but we as a human have to take responsibility of feeding this world and need to come up with new solutions for increasing grain yield of important food crops. IRRI and other institutions including private companies are working towards that goal but a concerted effort from International community is needed for ensuring food security.