RiceBIS Negros Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RiceBIS NARCO), Sitio Timawa Farming Association (STOFA) and Tison-Aida Farmers Association (TAFA) in Negros Occidental in the Philippines reached a number of stakeholders through the brown rice agro-enterprise day and feeding programme
More than 800 students participated in the feeding programme conducted by RiceBIS NARCO in Cansilayan Elementary School in Murcia, Negros Occidental, while about 200 participants were involved in the event organized by STOFA and TAFA in Valencia Ko Elementary School, Victorias City.
The three organisations are not only information allies for the stated events but are also PhilRice Negros’s partners in the Rice Business Innovations System Community Programme, which was designed to enhance farmer organizations’ agro-enterprise.
The events aimed to promote brown rice as an agro-enterprise venture and as a healthy option for consumption. The promotion was done through the distribution of knowledge products from PhilRice, brief talks and serving of brown rice meals.
In one event, Jose Arnel E Cordova, RiceBIS Community Programme focal person, encouraged the participants to support farmers’ brown rice enterprise by patronising their products and partnering with them in terms of financing, service provision, and even joining the organizations to further strengthen them.
Brown rice enterprise and consumption promotion were participated in by stakeholders like parents in the locale, LGU and barangay crucial officials, farmers and returning OFWs who are aspiring to be part of the farming community in the area.
