Brown Rice Consumption Reduces Rice Wastage

With around Php 27 million worth of rice going down the drain daily due to food wastage, Filipinos are encouraged to consume brown rice and be responsible rice consumers in observance of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) this November.

Based on the data reported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Food Authority (NFA), each Filipino wastes an average of 2 tablespoons of rice daily, amounting to 3.3 kilograms a year.

Considering the 100 million population of the country, rice wastage is estimated to reach 330,000 metric tons (MT) every year, translating to losses worth Php 10 billion annually.

This year’s theme of NRAM, “Be RICEponsible in your Own Way Now (BROWN) 4 Good”, promotes the consumption of brown rice not just as a healthy option, but also as a bid to minimize rice wastage and boost the country’s rice self-sufficiency.

With the aggravation triggered by the El Niño dry spell as well as the agricultural damages caused by Typhoon “Lando”, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala lowered the projected rice production in 2015 from 20 million MT to around 19 million MT.

Although attaining a hundred percent rice self-sufficiency in 2015 already seems to be a bleak prospect, the DA chief urged the Filipino consumers to do their part by practicing responsible rice consumption and also patronizing brown rice as a healthier alternative for white rice.

With its high fiber content, brown rice guarantees several health benefits which include reducing high cholesterol levels and keeping blood sugar levels under control.

In addition to the health benefits it offers, Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) executive director Dr. Calixto Protacio mentioned that brown rice has a 10 percent higher milling rate than white rice which translates to more yield and income for farmers, as well as a more rice self-sufficient country.

Calixto also said that increased consumption of brown rice leads to higher demand resulting in lower costs; thus, making it more affordable to more people.

NRAM, coinciding with the founding anniversary of PhilRice which was created in 1985, is celebrated every November pursuant to Proclamation No. 524 issued on January 5, 2004. (PNA) RMA/FMC