Home | To bottom

Vizcaya farmers revive black rice

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya (Jan. 24) — While the Department of Agriculture (DA) was pre-occupied in developing and promoting hybrid rice varieties, a woman farmer here finds exotic rice more profitable. Amy De Guzman from barangay Bangaan here dared to go with the counter currents in rice production technology. She was able to capture as market health-conscious Manila consumers who are willing to buy certified organic rice even at P150 per kilogram. Black rice is more aromatic and glutinous than usual rice grains sold in the market. De Guzman sells black rice at P1,400 per cavan while red rice sells at P1,300 per cavan at local outlets.

“Amy De Guzman is one of the active members of 18 groups trained by Masipag Foundation to start producing certified organic rice since year 2000”, said Tito Paduyao, a Catechist of St. Louis Parish active in the advocacy for sustainable agriculture and healthy lifestyle.

Fr. Vic Tiam, St. Louis Beltran Parish priest, plans to convert the Church plaza as a “night market” for organic products.

“The Church must do more action to fulfill its ministry of healing. Many of us no longer have the opportunity to eat healthy food because urbanization and commercialization bring us only food full of sugar and cholesterol,” declared Fr. Tiam.

Employees and teachers of the St. Louis School and other churchgoers are the patrons of a small talipapa at the back of the chapel here, where root crops, black and red rice, and chemical pesticide-free vegetables are sold every Wednesday. # Abe Almirol for NORDIS

Post your comments, reactions to this article

Home | Back to top