Philippine president declares 2013 as National Year of Rice

The year 2013 has been declared as the National Year of Rice in the Philippines by President Benigno S. Aquino III through a proclamation in anticipation of attaining rice self-sufficiency this year.

“The month of November of every year is also affirmed as National Rice Awareness Month,” the proclamation further stated.

With the theme Sapat na Bigas, Kaya ng Pinas (The Philippines can be rice sufficient), the National Year of Rice was proclaimed to raise public awareness on responsible rice consumption. Farmers were also encouraged to adopt modern technologies to improve farm productivity.

“President Aquino's declaration of 2013 as the National Year of Rice underlines the Philippine Government's renewed and intensified focus on strengthening the food security status of population, principally by promoting the productivity of the agricultural sector in general, and of the rice industry in particular. IRRI provides strong technical support for the Philippines' Food Staples Sufficiency Program (FSSP), enabling the host country to readily access the results of IRRI's research,” says V. Bruce J. Tolentino, deputy director general for communication and partnerships.

IRRI and the Philippine government had earlier signed an agreement to support, extend, and fast-track the delivery of the Philippines’ FSSP. Food Staples Sufficiency Program.

IRRI also has a range of activities planned in the Philippines for 2013 to align with the National Year of Rice, including:

• 30th Global Young Leaders Program (14-25 January) 
• BigAs2 Hack (24-25 August) (Read about BigAs Hackathon 2012) 
• 7th International Rice Genetics Symposium (5-8 November)

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