The Department of Agriculture is urging Filipinos to reduce rice waste and support local farmers through the “Be RICEponsible” campaign of the Philippine Rice Research Institute.
The campaign promotes three main practices: avoid wasting rice, buy locally produced rice and choose more nutritious varieties.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said responsible rice consumption should become part of Filipinos’ daily habits because rice is important to the country and its food security.
Based on PhilRice estimates, each Filipino wastes about two tablespoons of cooked rice every day. The amount is equivalent to an estimated 10.85 million sacks of rice wasted annually, worth about 24.4 billion pesos.
The Department of Agriculture said the wasted rice could potentially feed an estimated 5.17 million Filipinos for one year.
The campaign also promotes healthier rice choices, including brown rice, pigmented rice, low-glycemic index rice and rice mixes containing corn, saba, sweet potato and adlai.
The DA is also encouraging consumers to buy local rice to support Filipino farmers and strengthen the country’s rice supply.
Information drives, food tastings and other campaign activities will be held in schools, communities, markets, workplaces and other areas.
The DA also wants participating areas to revive the Half-Cup Rice Ordinance, which encourages restaurants to offer smaller rice servings.
The department reminded the public to start with a simple step: take only the amount of rice they can finish.
