Iloilo, UK Embassy Partner to Boost Rice Resilience

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The provincial government of Iloilo has partnered with the British Embassy Manila’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to implement high-impact adaptation projects for the rice sector.

Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. and Lloyd Cameron, economic and climate counsellor of the British Embassy Manila, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 2.

Under the MOU, the UK government will provide technical assistance and help mobilize private investments to strengthen Iloilo’s agricultural resilience.

The initiative aims to improve rice productivity and irrigation infrastructure to cushion the impact of dry spells.

This partnership stems from the Adaptation in Action Investment Forum, organized by the British Embassy Manila and Boston Consulting Group, which links investors to climate-resilient agriculture projects in support of the Philippines’ National Adaptation Plan.

Iloilo and Negros Occidental have been selected as pilot provinces for the UK-led initiative, which promotes sustainable food and water systems through private sector investment.

Defensor said the collaboration will help Iloilo reclaim its position as one of the country’s top rice producers.

“We are happy to have your assistance and they are very significant,” he said.

“We want to partner with you in the most practical terms. We have a target of six metric tons per hectare and with this partnership, maybe we will be the number two rice-producing province in the country.”

Cameron said the initiative will spotlight Iloilo’s adaptation strategies on a global platform and demonstrate how agricultural resilience can drive food security, public health and economic investment.

The partnership supports Iloilo’s SERBISYO Program (System Enhancement for Rice to Boost, Increase and Sustain Yield Onwards), which focuses on boosting rice production and enhancing climate resilience.

The program aims to achieve a rice yield of six metric tons per hectare, up from the recent decline from 3.79 MT/ha in 2023 to 3.64 MT/ha in 2024.

It also promotes climate-resilient and high-yielding rice varieties to withstand extreme weather conditions.

The program includes plans for small-scale reservoirs and rehabilitation of existing irrigation systems to improve water supply and agricultural efficiency.