Government agencies and the private sector have united to help expand rice farmers’ market during the Lakbay Palay conducted by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Sept. 27-28.
Witnessed by a thousand farmers, the alliance was formed through the launch of “BIDA RiceBIS, Be the rice’s best” movement, in which about 10 entities marked their pledge in a commitment wall. These include the Landbank of the Philippines, Agricultural Training Institute, local government unit of Arayat, and Bamboo Development Incorporated.
Dr. Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, lead of the Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) Community Program, said the program aims to help organize farmers so they can directly sell their rice and rice-based products to the market.
The program’s BIS acronym, Gonzales-Esmero said, encourages rice stakeholders to take part in expanding the rice value chain.
She called on attendees to adopt the program’s advocacy: Bilhin ang bigas ng Pilipinas (Buy Philippine rice), Ibahagi sa iba ang RiceBIS (Share RiceBIS), and Suportahan ang ating magsasaka (Support our farmers).
“As we labor together diligently, our sector will become stronger, and the number of successful farmers will rise,” she said.
The program has already forged partnership with Kiwanis International-Philippines Luzon and Bicol districts, which will involve procuring farmers’ brown rice products for the organization’s children health programs.
Merzci Bread and Pastries will also source their rice and rice-based products from RiceBIS communities while the Bank of the Philippine Islands will shoulder the transportation and delivery of products in select RiceBIS communities.
“[This program is promising because we need not wait for the traders to buy our products. It’s now our time to choose our market with better pricing]. Our income will definitely increase,” Silvestre Roxas of Deepwell Sumulong Irrigators Association in Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, said.
Currently, the program supports 23 RiceBIS communities across the country.
