THE House committee on agriculture has warned of greater food security problems with the looming formation of a cartel by five of the world's leading rice-exporting countries.

Rep. Abraham Mitra, committee chairman, said the only option left for the Philippines is to achieve rice self-sufficiency as soon as possible.

President Arroyo recently said it would take the country at least five years to be self-sufficient in rice.

Thailand, the world's largest rice exporter, has agreed in principle with Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam to form a rice price-fixing cartel similar to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and to be called the Organization of Rice Exporting Countries (OREC).

Mitra said there should be a change in food security outlook.

The previous school of thought, he said, was the Philippines can use its land for more lucrative agricultural and non-agricultural purposes and use income drawn from such activities to buy cheap rice abroad.

"But what's the use of your money if no rice is available at any price overseas? It's like looking for water in the desert. You may be willing to exchange a bar of gold for a cup of water but it's totally worthless if there's not a single drop to be found," he said.

Mitra expressed confidence that local farmers, given sufficient support, can raise production to support the entire population.

He said formation of OREC could force the Philippines to grow more food.

"If we have the resources to grow rice - water, viable seeds, good technology and large tracts of underutilized land - then there is no reason why we should allow ourselves to be a hostage of any cartel," he said.

"To its credit, government is moving towards that direction. Funds are being released, agencies are mobilized," he added.

Mitra allayed fears that focus on rice production would lead to "mono-cropping" and the loss of variety in Philippine agriculture.

"That is unfounded because if you bring irrigation to farms, it will serve other crops. It will promote diversity. If you build a solar dryer, it can also be used for corn, copra, black pepper. If you build a road, it will not be exclusive for rice trucks," he said.

"The catch-up program for rice, in which we are making up for years of neglect, will benefit agriculture across the board so that when rice becomes abundant, the facilities such as irrigation and roads are all ready should some of our farmers shift to other crops," he said.

Mitra also vowed to bring to Congress the sentiments of Novo Ecijano farmers, particularly their call for government to use the funds of the National Food Authority to procure locally produced palay instead of importing rice.

Another issue is the so-called swine scam that supposedly crippled a once strong women's cooperative in Nueva Ecija.

The concerns were raised during a meeting at the provincial capitol attended by farmers' organizations and NFA and local officials.

Mitra said the problems raised during the consultation, including surging prices of inputs such as fertilizer and pesticides, will be part of an ongoing study on the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said the OREC would only further pull down farm gate prices of palay.