THE present status of the irrigated areas in Misamis Oriental is not enough to attain rice sufficiency in the province, the National Irrigation Administration-Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Camiguin Irrigation Management Office (NIA LAMISCA IMO) said.

According to NIA LAMISCA IMO Division Manager Elpidio Lucernas Jr., the current 18.33 percent rice sufficiency is not enough to provide cheaper prices for rice.

At present, out of the 5,000 hectare service area, 2,114 hectares of farmland have been irrigated. This yielded 3,910 kilograms per hectare.

"The land area is not enough to have rice sufficiency in Misamis Oriental since we have not yet attained our service area target since we are in the process of irrigation development," Lucernas said.

The division manager further said the NIA LAMISCA IMO is fast-tracking its project implementation, which is now at 90 percent for the year 2022.

He added that the completion of all the projects is expected to contribute to an increase in rice sufficiency in Misamis Oriental.

Lucernas guaranteed that all projects will be properly implemented and no "ghost projects" are being observed.