Farmers, consumers, and students of Western Visayas celebrate the National Rice Awareness Month this year with the theme “Buy Local. Eat Local. Support Our Rice Farmers” during the ‘Have A Rice Day’ event held on Nov. 5 to 6 in Iloilo City. 

According to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Western Visayas Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter, the celebration coincides with the present situation of the local rice industry after the passage of the Rice Liberalization Act. 

“The government has lifted the importation ban to reduce the market price of rice. DA has aided rice farmers especially to those who have less than one-hectare farm,” she explained. 

DA has an ongoing distribution of Survival and Recovery (SURE Aid) assistance to more than 5,000 farmer-beneficiaries in the region. 

“Each farmer beneficiary received P15,000 zero-interest loan and it is payable for eight years,” Recoter said. 

She also explained that the P10 billion tariff generated yearly will be given back to the farmers through the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) or simply the Rice Fund. 

Of the total amount, P5 billion will be allotted for the rice farm machinery and equipment; P3 billion for rice seed development, propagation and promotion; P1 billion for expanded rice credit assistance; and P1 billion for rice extension service. 

To encourage the consumers to value to local rice over imported ones, DA organized several activities that involved farmers, rural women, and youths. 

College students who are taking up Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and other agricultural-courses had competed in the Rice Art Contest and Agri Talino Quiz Bee Challenge recently. 

Ivy Lyka Catimbang and Cynel Dela of Capiz State University Pontevedra Campus topped the Rice Art Contest while Melody Basinang, agriculture student of Central Philippine University champed the Agri Talino Quiz Bee Challenge.

On the other hand, the Rice Corn Embutido recipe of Lylyn Navarra and Anabella Bayona of Talisay City, Negros Occidental won the Rice Corn Blend Cooking Contest. Also, the three local farmer technicians of Negros Occidental earned the top slot in the Rice Amazing Challenge. 

DA also calls for entries to the Rice Photo Contest which intends to promote the importance of local rice farmers in attaining food security for every Filipino. The photo contest runs from October 7 to November 12. Both professional and amateur photographers based in Western Visayas can join and can have the chance to win up to P10,000 cash, one sack of well-milled rice and advocacy materials. 

On Nov. 23, DA will once again conduct the Run for RICEponsibility at SM City Iloilo Southpoint. SMHToreno/DA-RAFID 6