Ilonggos urged to patronize local rice over imported grains

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Western Visayas asked consumers to support local farmers by buying their rice produce.

As part of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November, DA-6 kicked off the one-month celebration in the region under the theme, “Buy Local, Eat Local” last Monday at SM City Iloilo.

DA-6 regional information officer James Earl Ogatis said the theme is timely as they urged Ilonggo consumers to support farmers in the region by patronizing local rice produce.

“Ginatagaan naton importansya ang mga mangunguma nga gatanom sang palay nga padayon naton iinspire naton nga despite sa issues nga naexperensyahan nila, padayon gihapon sila magtanom sang palay,” Ogatis said during his speech at the opening ceremonies of the NRAM month.

Ogatis said farmers in the more or less 800,000 farmers in the region are facing a bleak future because of low palay prices due to the Rice Tarrification Law and pest infestations on farms.

Hence, he urged the consumers to buy local rice instead of imported rice to support local farmers and also to ensure the safety and quality of rice.

“Kinahanglan nila patronize aton mga local na produkto especially ang bugas kay masiguro naton ining kalidad locally is mas safe compared sa lain na pungsod kay indi naton masiguro ang cultural practices nila sa iban nga pungsod and at the same time if ano ang mga preservatives nga ginagamit nila para makaabot sa aton,” he stressed.

The NRAM kicked off on Monday with a three-day exhibit of rice products at the SM City Iloilo.

DA-6 also conducted the first-ever “Agri-Talino” contest on Tuesday which was participated by schools offering agriculture courses.

A Rice Photo Contest for professional and amateur photographers based in the region is also currently ongoing.

Any photos about rice can be posted by interested participants on Facebook with a corresponding title, brief description and #SupportOurRiceFarmers.

Participants are also required to mention the official Facebook page of DA-6.

The submission of entries will run until November 12.

The NRAM celebration in the region will cap off with a 3-km Run on “RICEponsibility” at SM City Iloilo Southpoint on Nov. 23.

Ogatis hopes that by involving the youth in the activities, they will also be encouraged to contribute to the agriculture sector.

“Our average farmers ages about 60 years old. Kinahanglan naton ang millennials naton mag get involved sa agriculture naton. If indi gid sila ang gusto magpa-init, ang mga estudyante makabulig sila suggest, mabulig sila get involved kung ano bala ang future sang aton agriculture sector kay ma-fully mechanized na kita,” he said.