TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines?Bohol has to produce more rice to prevent a shortage in supply that may arise from the devastation caused by tropical storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) and typhoon Pepeng (Parma) in Luzon.

"We need to produce more rice because there is greater need for it in the country," said Bohol Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera.

The Department of Agriculture said the country might have to import at least two million tons of rice to fill the need for the staple.

"Bohol needs to step up this time," said Herrera, who chairs the provincial board?s agriculture committee.

Bohol is enjoying bumper rice harvests that exceed local consumption.

In 2008, Bohol produced 167,029.01 metric tons of palay, which translated to 109,237.30 metric tons of rice.

It has 25,175.05 hectares of irrigated rice fields.

Since rice consumption in Bohol was 106,059.41 metric tons, the surplus was 3,177.89 metric tons.

In the wake of the Luzon disaster, however, the vice governor saw the urgency for the province to produce more rice.

More typhoons are expected to hit the country before the year ends.

"There is a threat not only of an increase in the price of rice but more importantly of more people going hungry," he said.

The country has already imported 1.775 million tons of milled rice in 2009, mostly from Vietnam.

Herrera said the situation has become disturbing.

"Bohol, which has been more fortunate to be spared these calamities, should therefore rise to the occasion," he added.

The vice governor said Boholano rice farmers should give priority to increasing production to help stabilize supply and prices.

"This is the least we can do for our people," he said.