HOW CAN WE GROW SALINE RICE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

HOW CAN WE GROW SALINE RICE IN THE PHILIPPINES?

For a country with one of the longest coastlines in the world, it is almost ironic that we are still struggling to grow rice in areas touched by saltwater. The idea of saline or salt-tolerant rice is not new. In fact, institutions like the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the International Rice Research Institute have long developed varieties such as Salinas and Saltol lines designed precisely for these conditions.

So the real question is not whether we can grow saline rice—but why we have not done it aggressively.

Dr. Teodoro Mendoza, in his article on “seawater rice,” reminds us that this innovation “expands cultivation into previously unproductive coastal and degraded lands” and could help feed millions more people. He cited China’s experience, where salt-tolerant rice has moved beyond experiments into large-scale production, with yields reaching as high as 4.6 metric tons per acre. If that is possible elsewhere, why not here?

After all, the Philippines reportedly has around 2 million hectares affected by salinity. That is not a small number. That is a missed opportunity.

The science itself is not complicated. Farmers simply need the right varieties—such as NSIC Rc 182 to Rc 190—and better timing. Older seedlings (25–30 days) are more resilient. Fields must be leveled, organic matter added, and water managed to dilute salt concentrations. Zinc and potassium supplementation also help plants survive saline stress. In short, this is not “rocket science,” as I often say—it is applied common sense.

One major advantage stands out: saline rice reduces dependence on freshwater irrigation. In a country where water shortages are becoming more frequent, that alone should be reason enough to scale up adoption.

But beyond this science lies a deeper issue—policy direction. If we are serious about reducing rice imports, then saline rice must become part of the national strategy. We cannot keep importing rice while leaving vast coastal lands idle or underutilized.

Personally, I have a bias—and I admit it openly. I believe our fisherfolk should be at the center of this initiative. They are the ones living in coastal areas where salinity is already a reality. Why not give them an additional livelihood? Why not transform them into both fishers and farmers? That is how we address poverty—not just with aid, but with opportunity.

Of course, this cannot be done by one agency alone. The Department of Agriculture must lead, but it needs the support of BFAR for coastal communities, DENR for land and water management, and DOST for research and technology deployment. Coordination is key.

There are also valid concerns. Salt-tolerant rice may yield slightly less than traditional varieties under ideal conditions. There are also challenges in seed distribution, farmer training, and infrastructure. But these are not excuses—they are simply problems waiting for solutions.

The bigger risk is doing nothing.

If China can convert “dead land” into productive rice fields, we should be able to do the same. We do not even need to reinvent the wheel. The knowledge already exists. The seeds already exist. The need is obvious.

So I ask: how long will we wait?

If we truly want food security, then saline rice is not just an option—it is a necessity. And if we act now, we might finally turn our long coastline from a vulnerability into a strategic advantage.

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

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