DA Western Visayas stresses ‘A-Ba-Ka-Da’ of RICEponsible consumption through month-long activities

To advance food security and reduce food waste, the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas has launched a series of National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) activities promoting responsible rice consumption under the Be RICEponsible Campaign.

NRAM activities in Region 6 kicked-off on November 5, 2024, at the Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (WESVIARC) in Jaro, Iloilo City, with a Rice Technical Caravan, a “Pinasarap na Kanin” Cooking Challenge, and a “Palay Alamin!” Quiz Bee. These events are designed to highlight the “A-Ba-Ka-Da” messages of NRAM: Adlay, mais, saba, atbp. ay ihalo sa kanin, Brown rice ay kainin, Kanin ay huwag sayangin, and Dapat bigas ng Pilipinas ang bilhin.

DA Western Visayas Regional Technical Director Zarlina B. Cuello lauded the rice farmers of the region for their persistence in continuously cultivating rice despite the constraints and challenges involved, from production to marketing. She urged the public to support locally-produced rice and consider healthier alternatives like brown rice and rice mixes. Cuello also emphasized the importance of reducing rice wastage to respect farmers’ hard work.

During the Rice Technical Forum, participating farmers from Iloilo municipalities received updates on the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program from Ian Calibara of DA and information on rice crop insurance from Regional Manager Eva Ulie Laud and Jose Ma. Torres of the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, and the National Food Authority’s palay procurement program from Regional Manager Herielle Jumagbas.

The ‘Pinasarap na Kanin’ Cooking Challenge was won by Susan Tespoer and Brenda Hansson of Guimaras, who took home a P10,000 cash prize and an electric oven. This contest encouraged the public to try rice mixed with local staples like adlay, corn, banana, taro, sweet potato, and cassava. Rural farmers also showcased other rice-mix dishes such as “No-Bake Rice and Potato Lasagna with Samosa,” “Rickma Arrez Concaldo with Veggie Balls & RMS Blends,” “Arroz Caldo de Adlai,” “Brown Rice with Taro Toppings,” and “Rice Pastil.”

In the ‘Palay Alamin!’ Quiz Bee, a contest aimed at gauging technical knowledge and skills in rice production, 10 groups competed, each consisting of a rice farmer and a local farmer technician from various municipalities. Helen Bolivar and Gerry Graciosa from Mina, Iloilo emerged as the top scorers, followed closely by representatives from Cabatuan and Leon.

DA Western Visayas’ Regional Information Officer James Earl Ogatis also highlighted the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s “Half-Cup Full Heart Challenge,” which invites participants to support NRAM by consuming only a half-cup of rice per meal and sharing their experiences on Facebook for a chance to win cash prizes up to P40,000.

Other NRAM activities by DA Western Visayas include the Be RICEponsible Facebook Reel and Rice Photography Contests while the Be RICEponsible Feeding Program will be held during the Dugong Bombo bloodletting event at the Iloilo Science and Technology University in La Paz Campus on November 16. The NRAM celebration will culminate on November 29 in Iloilo City with an award ceremony recognizing the region’s top rice producers in the wet cropping season who were recipients of the DA’s interventions under the Masagana Program.

Observed annually as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 524 series of 2004, NRAM seeks to promote rice self-sufficiency and raise awareness about responsible rice consumption.###Texts by SMHToreno & Photos by ELGregorio, VNOQuimpo & KDCCaldina/DA-RAFIS 6