An official
of the Department of Agriculture had commended the Philippine Rice Research
Institute (PhilRice) in the implementation of the National Year of Rice
(NYR2013), which had reached about 51.5M Filipinos.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, undersecretary for
special concerns, said NYR2013 has been “successful in raising awareness not
only on the department’s initiatives to increase rice productivity and farmers’
income but in uniting all sectors for rice self-sufficiency and export of
premium rice.”
Puyat, who led the recent CelebRICE: A night for the RICEponsibles
in Manila, said that the campaign had built a strong foundation for the
agriculture industry, ensuring continuous productivity.
However, she admitted that the department’s
confidence is dampened by climate change, which she said is also agriculture’s
biggest threat.
“We may not be able to control when and
where typhoons will hit or when droughts will occur. But we have to make sure
that production is stable and that farmers are earning from their crop,” she
said.
Puyat also lauded PhilRice for being
successful in informing the public about agriculture programs, disseminating
better farming practices, promoting other crops that may be alternatives to
rice such as corn and cassava, and lobbying measures to reduce rice wastage.
CelebRICE:
A night for the RICEponsibles had gathered more than a
hundred NYR 2013 supporters who expressed their continued assistance in
promoting a “RICEponsible Philippines” or a country with responsible rice
consumers.
In a document signifying their continued
support, partners from the private and public sector stated that they will they
will explore potential avenues that will encourage the public to reduce rice
wastage, eat brown rice and rice-mixes, and value the hard work of rice
farmers.
Believing that “rice is life,” partners in,
among others, the academe, food industry, media, health and agriculture-related
agencies, and telecom companies, the partners promised to do their share in
informing every Filipinos of their responsibilities to help achieve a rice
self-sufficient country. (PhilRice)
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