Impacts of Implementing Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act 11203) On Local Farmers of Sorsogon City

The study, “Impacts of Implementing Rice Tariffication Law (Republic Act 11203) To Local Farmers of Sorsogon City,” investigates the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law on local farmers. It focuses on the impacts on domestic rice production, rice retail price, food security, and rural livelihood. The study also explores how farmers adjust to these impacts and identifies both facilitating and hindering factors in their coping and adjustment process. Finally, the research proposes a community-based action plan to assist local farmers in navigating the challenges posed by the implementation of the Rice Tariffication Law. The findings of this study are crucial in understanding the broader socio-economic implications of agricultural policies and in informing future policy decisions. The study reveals that the Rice Tariffication Law has significantly impacted local farmers. The effects are seen in various areas such as rice production, where farmers have chosen to halt or reduce their production to mitigate potential economic losses. Despite a continuous supply of rice and cheaper unhusked rice, the price of rice has increased. The law has ensured adequate rice supply, contributing to food security. However, it has negatively affected rural livelihoods and the profitability of rice farming. In response, farmers have diversified their crops and allocated rice for self-consumption during harvest to create additional income sources. The study suggests that diversifying agricultural products could be a viable alternative to the now unprofitable rice farming. The study concludes that the Rice Tariffication Law has complex impacts on local farmers, affecting their rice production, rice prices, food security, and rural livelihoods. Farmers have developed coping mechanisms to adjust to these effects, including diversifying their crops and using harvested rice for their consumption. They have also shared strategies that align with their practices to maintain agricultural growth and resilience amidst the changing local and global dynamics of the rice trade. These findings highlight the adaptability of farmers in the face of policy changes and the importance of considering their experiences and strategies in future policy decisions. The study recommends a broader and more intensive research approach, with a larger number of participants, to gain a deeper understanding of the Rice Tariffication Law’s implications on local farmers. It also suggests the formulation and extensive implementation of well-thought-out agricultural policies, along with government provision of start-up materials and equipment, to support and encourage farming alternatives for affected farmers. Furthermore, the study encourages extensive seminars on the diversification of agricultural products, including crops, poultry, and livestock. These measures aim to provide sufficient knowledge, awareness, and options to help displaced farmers recover and reignite their passion for farming.