BAGUIO CITY—Consumers, buyers and farmers alike contribute in expanding the market of one of Cordilleran’s pride—the traditional or heirloom rice.
As healthy foods become preferred dietary options worldwide and as people become more health-conscious, the market for such organic products continues to broaden. According to International Rice Research Institute’s Dr. Bob Zeigler, “consumers are even ready to pay extra money for high-quality foods that are rich in specialized nutrients.”
Based on the baseline nutrition analysis of selected heirloom rice varieties done in 2014 at IRRI, heirloom rice is rich in iron, sodium, calcium, niacin, potassium, niacin, folic acid, proteins, carbohydrates, and antioxidants, which are being sought after by health practitioners.
According to heirloom rice farmers, the demand for heirloom rice is growing, resulting in shortage of supply.
Rowena Sawil, an heirloom rice farmer from Kalinga, said that there are times that they cannot meet the demand of buyers due to lack of supply. On the other hand, the situation may also mean the sprouting of opportunities for other farmers.
Sonia Pengosro of Benguet Heirloom Rice Terraces Farmers Agriculture Cooperative said that the return to the traditional practice of planting heirloom rice will contribute to the preservation of culture and tradition. It also helps in the rejuvenation of the environment.
The Department of Agriculture Cordillera, IRRI and PhilRice and the farmers are currently working together to conduct studies regarding the nutritional value, genetic diversity, grain quality and development process toward Geographical Indication (GI) Registration of the different varieties of heirloom rice.
“The GI registration will command a 100 percent increase in the value of heirloom rice in the Cordillera due to its ethnodiversity. It is also a way of promoting traceability of the product; the farmers and locale,” said Dr. Digna Manzanilla, co-project leader of the Heirloom Rice Project.
Meantime, the DA continues to promote heirloom rice in the local and international markets.
“Maraming salamat at naisali itong heirloom rice sa HVCDP. Dito ma-recognize uli in the whole world ang heirloom rice ng Cordillera,” said Wasig Sacla, an organic farmer, as he and his fellow organic farmers thanked the DA-CAR, IRRI, PhilRice and DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol for their unceasing efforts to promote and preserve the region’s heirloom rice.
During the Regional Heirloom Rice Market Encounter and Organic Agricultural Investment Forum cum Exhibit led by the Agri-business and Market Assistance Division of DA last October 26 and 27, organic farmers, heirloom rice farmers, buyers, local officials, and heirloom rice key spokespersons from DA-CAR, IRRI, PhilRice addressed the issues regarding the conservation, preservation and market of the region’s heirloom rice for its sustainable development.