The Department of Agriculture on Thursday urged public information officers in Negros Oriental to help reduce rice wastage, stressing the importance of conservation amid the country’s rice production shortfall.
Alejandro Rafal, newly- appointed assistant regional director for operations & extension of the DA-Negros Island Region, issued the appeal during a briefing with the Association of Negros Oriental Public Information Officers.
Rafal emphasized the critical role of public information officers from local government units, and national government agencies in promoting rice conservation as part of the administration’s food security efforts.
“The briefing is part of the DA’s celebration of National Rice Month this November, with a focus on ensuring people’s right to access quality food and addressing hunger,” Rafal told the media.
According to DA data, rice wastage in the Philippines amounts to around 650 metric tons, enough to feed 5.8 million Filipinos.
Rafal encouraged the public to reduce waste by opting for a half-cup serving of rice per meal.
Negros Oriental’s annual rice requirement is approximately 116,000 metric tons, but the province produces only around 35,000 metric tons yearly, underscoring the importance of conservation, he added.
In line with the National Rice Awareness Month, the DA and the Department of Education hosted a feeding program on Wednesday afternoon for 220 malnourished children at Candauay Elementary School here. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
