Saturday, July 19, 2008 Chamber seeks goods that will lessen rice dependence By Joy Romares-Sevilla
A RESOLUTION urging the business community to develop alternative products to lessen the country's dependence on rice as a staple food and for the City Government to undertake a healthy campaign on these alternatives has been passed by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) during last week's 8th Davao City Business Conference held at the Davao Convention and Trade Center.
In its resolution, DCCCII said "Davao City depends on supply coming from neighboring provinces since it does not have enough rice farmers to cater to the rising demand for rice."
It added that there are several identified substitutes for rice from which the people can derive more calories and nourishment.
In order to find additional substitute, DCCCII stated that "the role of the business industry, especially the Food Processing Industry, is vital in developing these foods and ensuring they provide health benefits to the people, and the assistance of the City Government is necessary in implementing this health campaign initiative."
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Southern Mindanao provincial director Teolulo Pasawa said there are indeed alternative products where people can source their carbohydrates from like camote and cassava.
He also said there should also be efforts to develop reconstituted rice and explore the idea.
"There are a lot of high-yielding variety that are sources of carbohydrates, all we need is to explore and develop them," Pasawa said.
