By Reynaldo E. Andres Contributor The efforts of the Dept. of Agriculture Region 1 in enticing farmers to increase their farm areas planted to rice and corn this year has led to a dramatic increase in the yields of both crops. As a result, the region’s self-sufficiency in both staple grains in 2013 went up to 180 and 159 percent, respectively. In a report presented by DA Region 1 Executive Director Valentin C. Perdido which was based on DA’s roadmap for 2013-2014, the region has reached its production target on rice alone contributing at least 10 percent to the country’s buffer stock of this staple grain for 2014. As proof, from a yield of 1,750,007 metric tons (MT) in 2013, it went up to an aggregate yield 1,765,000 MT this year or an increase of 15 MT. “Because of this, Region 1 became the number four rice producing region in the country which contributed at least 10 percent to the 18,439,406 MT national output this year,” Dr. Perdido said. “Although the roadmap s