MANILA, Philippines - The country will gradually veer away from rice importations and expects to totally forego importations in three years, Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said on Thursday.

Proceso said that the department intends to intensify rice production and provide farmers all the necessary support such as postharvest facilities, to ensure the country achieves its goal of rice self-sufficiency in three years.

"The department is spending so much for rice production programs, and yet the country is the world's largest rice importer," said Alcala.

Alcala said the previous administration's policy of importing rice, has discouraged local farmers from boosting productivity.

The new agriculture chief also said the department will review the second quarter farm sector growth forecast of 2.5%. The sector contracted by 2.8% in the first quarter due to losses from the El Niño phenomenon.

"We have to check that one out. Maybe we can be more definite next week, we will share the findings," said Alcala.

Rice imports in 2010 was at a record 2.45 million tons, but  government figures show that imports could reach up to 2.47 million tons.

“We had troubles with production,” Jose Cordero, assistant administrator of the National Food Authority said at recent conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“We had to increase the volume of importation this year.”

Still, the country “has no intention” to import any more than the 2.47 million tons, Cordero said.

“If the Philippines makes a move to initiate a tender by the last quarter of 2010, it will be for the 2011 requirement.” -