The Iloilo provincial government is seeking private sector partnerships to enhance rice production and ensure agricultural sustainability in the face of climate challenges.
This was announced during the unveiling of its SERBISYO Program (System Enhancement for Rice to Boost, Increase, and Sustain Yield Onwards) at the National Adaptation Plan Investment Forum on March 21, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center in Taguig.
The SERBISYO Program aims to increase rice yields in Iloilo to six metric tons per hectare by promoting climate-resilient, high-yielding rice varieties, constructing small-scale reservoirs, and rehabilitating existing irrigation systems to enhance water supply.
Iloilo Provincial Administrator Raul Banias emphasized the urgency of boosting agricultural efficiency, citing data from the Provincial Agriculture Office that revealed a decline in rice production, from 3.79 metric tons per hectare in 2023 to 3.64 metric tons per hectare in 2024.
“This decline poses a significant risk to food security not just in Iloilo but across Western Visayas. As the region’s rice granary and the fifth largest rice-producing province in the country, Iloilo must act swiftly,” he said.
Banias warned that Iloilo could lose an average of 7% of total rice production by 2030, escalating to 25% during severe climate years. This inaction could lead to ₱11 billion in losses across the rice value chain.
Through the SERBISYO Program and private sector support, the provincial government aims to not only mitigate these losses but surpass them by producing an additional 240,000 tons of rice by 2040.
Banias invited partnerships with agricultural input manufacturers, irrigation companies, and innovative technology providers to scale up rice production efficiency and water sustainability.
“In scaling climate-resilient seeds, we aim to partner with private input suppliers and agricultural innovators to distribute optimal varieties and implement crop-scale solutions. We also plan to collaborate with water service providers to establish small-scale reservoirs across 30,000 hectares of rain-fed farms,” he said.
Resilient rice varieties are expected to enhance water-use efficiency by 29%, conserving resources while improving yields.
The SERBISYO Program will be implemented in phases, with full execution targeted for completion within five years.
“We invite our partners to come onboard the SERBISYO Program and work with us to build a resilient and productive agricultural sector,” Banias said.
With Iloilo’s pivotal role as a major rice producer, the program underscores the province’s commitment to addressing climate risks and securing food security for future generations.