DA encourages more production, consumption of brown rice variety

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing for more production and consumption of brown rice or “unpolished rice” not only for its health benefits but also to complement with the rice sufficiency program of the government, its official said. Hazel Antonio, DA senior science research specialist, who was in Bacolod City recently said the agency is set to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the National Food Authority (NFA) to include brown rice in their distribution among its retailers.

Antonio said the project will start this year in Metro Manila, and will eventually be implemented in different provinces. Under the agreement, NFA will not import, but instead source brown rice supply from local producers then sell it to local retailers at a lower price.

Farmers will mill at the RPC then have their brown rice products sold directly to restaurants, hotels, other food establishments and even to the government through NFA at a price of P30 per kilo instead of the P70 per kilo existing market price. “The government therefore, can make brown rice more available in public markets at a cheaper price,” Antonio added. The DA official said that since brown rice is not a variety and is produced only through a process of removing the outermost layer or the husk of the rice kernel that is least damaging to its nutritional value, local farmers are encouraged to plant varieties suitable for brown rice.

Moreover, the DA is also encouraging food establishments to serve brown rice. Antonio said “unpolished rice” is healthier than white rice since it contains vitamins B1, B3, B6, B9, dietary fiber, antioxidants, protein, manganese, phosphorous, and iron. DA records show that this year the rice sufficiency level of the country is at 97 percent. (PNA)