Empowering farmers to increase production

The momentum continues to build in the rice sector. According to figures from the Directorate General of Customs, rice imports from the Northern Island dropped by 53 % in the first half of 2024.

Indeed, during this period, the country imported 125,300 tons of rice, significantly lower than the 269,000 tons recorded during the same period in 2023. Simultaneously, the cost attributed to rice imports decreased by 38 %. This trend results from the increase in local rice production, which has boosted its availability in the market and improved distribution networks nationwide.

According to the Rice Observatory, local rice production grew by 10.6% between 2022 and 2023. This data is also reflected in the document attached to the revised finance law. The increase is attributed to the improvement and mechanization of rice farming practices across the country. These innovative strategies allow farmers to increase yields per hectare, laying the groundwork for a resilient rice sector. Rice imports have been on a downward trend for the past two years. Initially, this might have been seen as a temporary result, but the trend has proven to be sustainable. This outcome is even more remarkable given that no significant disruptions have affected the rice sector since the beginning of the year.

The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry has already expressed his expectations. The country plans to progressively increase rice production until 2027, aiming to gradually reduce its dependence on imports. The department also anticipates a 10-15 % rise in national production. The country is expected to produce 5.88 million tons of rice this year, compared to 5.32 million tons in 2023. The goal is to freeze rice imports for the next five years. The ministry has announced the construction of large-scale infrastructure to irrigate agricultural borders and support the growth of other rice varieties, such as hybrid and rainfed rice.