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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

DA-9 launches National Year of Rice in Dipolog

By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Agriculture (DA) in region 9 recently held a media forum at Mibang Hotel here to officially launch the National Year of Rice 2013, which aims to attain the rice self-sufficiency target next year.

President Benigno Aquino III has issued Proclamation No. 494 directing the DA to lead the celebration of the National Year of Rice and raise public awareness on responsible rice consumption.

The media forum has sought the help of media men support to enjoin the public or the rice-consuming public, producers and the policy-makers to support the goal of making the country rice sufficient.

To draw the commitment of the group, DA-9 Regional Executive Director Eduardo Holoyohoy, together with DA Regional Technical Director Dennis Palabrica, RAFID Chief Maria Melba Wee, Marilou Sybico of NFA-Zamboanga del Norte provincial office, Senior Engineer Zardo Roa of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and DA regional office staff came in full force to solicit from the local media practitioners  their support to the NYR 2013 celebration by having them recite the “Pledge for Rice/Panatang Makapalay.”

Wee pointed out that by the end of 2013, 50% of the consuming public in the focus areas are expected to commit themselves to be responsible rice consumers by just eating the right amount of rice, not wasting rice and eating other sources of carbohydrates.

DA revealed that every Filipino wasted an average of 2 tablespoons of cooked rice or 9 grams of uncooked rice a day. “In 2010, our wasted rice was equivalent to 13% of total rice imports of the same year. This is equivalent to P6.2-billion or the consumption of nearly 2.6 million Filipinos,” Wee said.

On the average, Filipinos eat 4-1/2 cups of rice a day when 3 cups of rice is already enough.

Rice occupies 50% of the typical Filipino plate while the remaining 50% is shared by fruits or vegetables and protein. The DA recommends the equal sharing of rice, fruits, vegetables and protein in one’s plate. (PIA9)