| Abstract | Achieving self-sufficiency in rice production is one of the top priorities of the
Philippine government. Various programs were launched to boost rice production and these
were successful. Self-sufficiency in rice was achieved, in fact, the country even managed to
export the commodity to other countries. However, this phenomenon was not sustained for
various reasons. Rice production declined with the regular occurrences of natural calamities,
reduced hectarage, post-harvest losses and urbanization. With the rapid expansion of the
population, the government was prompted to import rice in order to feed its growing
population. With the re-emergence of rice crisis in the country, the government must take a
move to solve this problem.
In 1993, the Grains Production Enhancement Program (GPEP) was born. Just like any
other grain programs, GPEP's objective is to attain grain self-sufficiency. In the country, there
are 34 and 17 provinces identified as Key Grain Areas (KGAs) for rice and corn, respectively.
The Central Visayas Region (Region VII), on the other hand, is only identified for rice. In the
region, one of the provinces involved is the province of Bohol.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the achievements of the program in the region.
Emphasis is laid on the changes in farming practices, yield in rice and income levels of the
farmer-beneficiaries and to what extent the increase contributed to rice sufficiency in the
region. Moreover, the perceptions of the farmer-beneficiaries towards the program and the
efficiency of the program implementors are likewise taken into account.
Data collection was done by conducting questionnaire survey to the GPEP
beneficiaries, informal discussions with the program implementors and document screening.
Data analyses were done using descriptive statistics, index numbers, Chi-square, T-test,
correlation and regression. Likewise, the cost and return analysis was used to test the
profitability of rice farming.
Results revealed that the performance of the program is, to some extent, successful.
Similarly, the program implementors are efficient in the delivery of its services and the farmers
are satisfied in some of the services they provided. In addition, there has been changes on the
farming practices, yield and income level of the farmer-beneficiaries brought about by the
introduction of the program. The program's target has been and can be achieve but the
projected increase in yield of rice could not compensate the increase in population. The
demand of rice exceeds with the supply. The program is not perfect at all. It still needs a lot
of improvements. Findings show that some of the major components of the program are not
yet operational. The lack and delay of funds causes some problems which affect the
achievement of the programmed targets. Moreover, within three years of program's
implementation, the region is only capable of supplying 36 percent of its rice requirement. |