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Rice farmers call for trade justice

Rice farmer Rodrigo Costanilla, father of seven, farms one hectare, rented from a land-owning family, and says rice is his livelihood [Annie Bungeroth]

In rural areas of the Philippines, poor rice farmers struggle to make a living, as they are forced to compete with cheap, subsidised imported rice

Half the population live below the poverty line, and the poorest rely heavily on agriculture, particularly rice growing. Yet farmers find it hard to make a living, as they are forced to compete with cheap, subsidised imported rice.

If the WTO succeeds in forcing the Philippines government to further open their market to imported rice, the country will be flooded with cheap rice imports. The poorest farmers will be hit the hardest.

The Philippines,and other developing countries, propose that they be allowed to protect those crops which are particularly important to poor farmers. But this plan is being resisted by rich countries within the WTO.

Social Action Centre

The value of rice

Rice is the staple food for 80% of Filipinos. It is the single most important agricultural crop in the Philippines. It is therefore a major source of income for millions of Filipino farmers

Elizabeth Moteza is a director of a Social Action Centre in Zamboanga del Sur, Mindanao, which is supported by CAFOD.

The centre works with small-scale rice farmers, assisting them with low interest loans, technology and training. Elizabeth also campaigns to encourage more small-scale and chemical-free processes, for the good of the economy, the community and the environment.

Elizabeth says, “The WTO is a big enemy for us, as WTO policies do not benefit poor people here. Because of liberalisation there is an influx of products from countries like Vietnam and the US to the Philippines.

“This is driving the price down and making it impossible for small farmers to compete. Most consumers will choose cheap foreign rice over high quality local rice.”

“Rice is my livelihood”

Rodrigo Costanilla, a father of seven, farms one hectare, rented from a land-owning family. Two-thirds of the land is used to grow rice, the rest for fruit trees, vegetables, pigs and fish ponds.

Rodrigo says, “There is foreign rice in all the local markets and it’s not helping small farmers to increase their income. It’s cheaper and people are not buying our rice, which is higher quality and healthier.

“The good thing about small farms like mine is that the produce and income from the land is divided between lots of people, not just taken by one owner.

“Rice is my livelihood, and if it were taken away from me it is really the equivalent of death.”

“Please continue to help”

Rodrigo’s neighbour, 63-year-old Severino Saruna, also leases a hectare of land and grows rice.

“The price we get for the rice has been going down. Last year we got 9.2 pesos per kilo and now it’s just 8.8 pesos.

“The price of foreign rice is cheap compared to our organic rice… this is because the Government allows this rice to come in from abroad.

“To CAFOD supporters I’d like to say a heartfelt thanks for supporting small scale farmers here in the Philippines. Please continue – your help and assistance is really appreciated.”

CAFOD will be at the World Trade Organisation meeting in December, along with partners from Kenya, South Africa, Cambodia and East Timor. We will be arguing the case for fairer trade rules, including allowing poor countries to protect special products which are important for reducing poverty among their people.