The Department of Agriculture, announced early this week said that some 45 metric tons white aromatic rice produced by farmers belonging to Magtutumana ng Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija and Firmus Farm Service Providers’ Cooperative based in Koronadal City in South Cotabato is scheduled to be be shipped on 22 July.
Firmus is a cooperative that specializes in the provision of farm workers that can be hired for a fee, concept that was initiated by the Department of Agriculture - 12 last year.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala disclosed that the current shipment of Aromatic White Rice was gathered and selected from the best crops produced in the country during the last cropping season.
Each grain, he explained, was carefully harvested when fully mature and when the rice paddies have turned into a landscape of golden brown stalks under the clean, pollution-free environment of the Philippine countryside.
The batch is the second shipment that the Vegetable Importers, Exporters and Vendors Association Philippines Incorporated (VIEVA Phil. Inc.) arranged for exportation of locally produced premium rice products.
In May, it shipped to Dubai, United Arab Emirates 15 metric tons of organic black rice produced by the Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative based in M’lang, North Cotabato in Soccsksargen Region along with 20 metric tons of white aromatic rice from Luzon.
Lea M. Cruz, president of VIEVA Phil. Inc, which acts as the shipper/exporter of the cargo, further stressed that they processed and packed all its rice products hygienically to preserve their rich aroma and superb quality - mindful of the discriminating taste of foreign buyers.
Each cup of any of these products is thus, both nourishment and an experience in delightful taste, Ms Cruz said.
Meanwhile, Amalia Jayag-Datukan, DA 12’s Regional Executive Director said, exportation of premium rice to other countries will encourage Filipino farmers to embark on planting special rice varieties since it has huge export potentials.
She said that the department is willing to support individual and private rice exporters so that they can find market for global exportation. She also stressed that the department is giving special attention to its Rice Export Program where Region 12 plays a very significant role.
