Rice fields are drained of water once the rice crop is firmly established. Although rice production has always been significant in Philippine farming, at the turn of the century, up to 45,000 tons of rice still had to be imported to keep up with demand for this Philippine food staple. Rice fields are drained of water once the rice crop is firmly established. Although rice production has always been significant in Philippine farming, at the turn of the century, up to 45,000 tons of rice still had to be imported to keep up with demand for this Philippine food staple.