Monday, December 03, 2007 More Cordi rice varieties pass international quality standards
THE exposure of more indigenous rice varieties from the different parts of Cordillera in the international market is a big boost towards the realization of the National Government’s watershed rehabilitation and management program while providing thousands of farmers’ sufficient sources of livelihood.
Abraham Akilit, regional manager of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), added that at least seven indigenous rice varieties from the different parts of Mountain Province already passed the tedious tests before they could be marketed to the US and Europe.
Representatives of the Revitalized indigenous Cordillera Entrepreneurs (Rice) would be visiting Mountain Province this week to get the commitment of local farmers from the different towns on their quota of production so there would be consistent supply of indigenous rice products that are now in demand in the international markets.
Among the rice varieties that passed the various international tests are the senyora red of Besao; senyora white of Aguid, Sagada; kintoman of Talubin, Bontoc; seniola of Sagada; ginulot of Bauko; korel of Natonin; and gumike of Sadanga.
Akilit said the promotion of indigenous rice varieties from Mountain Province in the international market would enhance the traditional way of farming in the communities which is much friendlier to the environment.
The Mountain Province rice varieties would soon be at par with the tinawon rice of Ifugao and unoy rice of Kalinga, which are now earning millions of pesos for the thousands of local farmers.
The NIA has been strongly advocating for a sincere and responsible watershed rehabilitation and management program to preserve and protect the region’s forest cover that would eventually translate to abundant water for irrigation and domestic uses in the vast track of agricultural lands in the lowlands.
Akilit said farmers who would be accredited to commercially produce the various indigenous rice varieties would greatly help in regreening the denuded forests in their respective areas since the rice produce must be organically raised.
He appealed to the farmers to strictly follow the requirements and standards of producing their crops so they would gain the confidence of foreign consumers and that their means of livelihood would be continuous.
It was learned that the local rice varieties have already passed the tests on cooking time, nutrient content and aroma preferred by their prospective buyers in the US and European countries.
The Rice was established to assist local farmers from the different parts of the Cordillera region to gain access to the international market for the promotion of local products that are globally competitive such as the indigenous rice varieties. (DS)
