the Symposium on Wheats for More Tropical Environments - cimmyt

324Problems and Benefits ofReintroducing Wheat into <strong>the</strong> PhilippinesA.V. Rotor, National Food Authority, Manila, PhilippinesAbstractIn an attempt to revive wheat groWing in <strong>the</strong> Philippines. an interagency ad hocgroup is entering its third year ofprogram expansion; it has determined anumber ofproblem areas. This paper outlines <strong>the</strong>se areas and analyzes <strong>the</strong>mfor current as well asforfuture action. The problems cited are categorized intotechnological. sociological. economic and governmental matters. Many of <strong>the</strong>seproblems had been anticipated and, <strong>the</strong>refore, served as basesforformulatingmajor decisions and policies and in supporting a proposal to create a nationalwheat program.The Philippines once enjoyed areputation as a wheat-growing country;this was during <strong>the</strong> Spanigh regime.from <strong>the</strong> 17th to <strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> 19thcentury (1). However, <strong>the</strong> cultivation ofwheat was limited to <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn partof Luzon and <strong>the</strong> highlands. Basically itwas for home use. although a part of<strong>the</strong> produce was exported through <strong>the</strong>galleon trade between Manila andAcapulco (3).The local wheat varieties have beenpermanently lost. as has <strong>the</strong>irindigenous culture. There have beentwo previous attempts at revivingwheat cultivation in this century. andnow a third one is being undertaken (2).The areas of concern relating to <strong>the</strong>development of a local wheat industryare classified into four categories. Undereach category. <strong>the</strong> major activities arebriefly explained. with problem areasand future courses of action discussed.Production andPost-Harvest ConsiderationsDetermining potential wheat areasBased on <strong>the</strong> results of field trials andcommercial plantings. <strong>the</strong> area suitablefor wheat production appears to be <strong>the</strong>nor<strong>the</strong>rn proVinces of Luzon; it offers avery limited number of hectares forwheat culture. There is a need toexplore o<strong>the</strong>r regions of <strong>the</strong> country.Selecting and breedingof superior varietiesYields obtained from <strong>the</strong> presentvarieties. Trigo 1 (hard grain type) andTrigo 2 (soft type) are between one andtwo tons per hectare. These varietiesleave much to be desired in terms ofhigh and consistent yield levels.resistance to diseases. maturity classand baking quality.Improving packages of technologyPackages of technology have beendeveloped for wheat production. Theycan be used and adopted until betterpackages are available for specificlocations and conditions. Productionmodels have been set up. patterned afterfarming systems that have beensuccessful in <strong>the</strong> last two crop years.Increasing seed supplyUnder an interim arrangement. <strong>the</strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Foodcertifies seed that is produced. while <strong>the</strong>National Food Authority (NFA) handlesseed increase and production on acommercial scale. This cooperativearrangement is an attempt to solve <strong>the</strong>current shortage of seed and to supplyprojected expanSion needs.