Members of the RiceBIS Bayambang Agriculture Cooperative (RBAC) in Pangasinan are expanding their reach with their rice-based products being showcased at the World Food Expo in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Aug. 2-5.
To prepare for this event, this Rice Business Innovations System (RiceBIS) community were already awake like crepuscular animals active at dawn and dusk to transport their products outside the region.
RBAC Chair Conrado Lapurga shared that their journey began with training on the PalayCheck System, an integrated rice crop management system developed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). The training exceeded their expectations, changing their farming practices and leading them towards a rice and rice-based enterprise.
Despite being a small-scale enterprise, RBAC is making strides to reach larger markets outside their region. Their products are displayed at the CSI Mall in Dagupan City and the first concept store of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Incorporated (PhilExport) in North Luzon at SM City Urdaneta Central. They also have a booth at the Sunday Market of SM City Rosales, Pangasinan.
RBAC actively participates in government programs like KADIWA on Wheels and the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) Convergence Program. These initiatives aim to support farmers, fisherfolk, and MSMEs in marketing their produce directly to consumers.
RBAC General Manager Rommel Carreon attributes their success to the collective efforts of the members. They process 300-500kg/week of pigmented rice and 35-45kg of fresh catch into 60kg of burong tilapia.
Conrado and Rommel are committed to expanding their production and market through the PhilRice’s RiceBIS 2.0 Community Program, which aims to revitalize established rice-based farming communities by developing and upscaling agro-enterprise models with improved value chain efficiency.
