The Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Friday to streamline the rice supply chain and establish an alternative market, benefiting both farmers and consumers.
The MOU seeks to promote the Integrated Rice Supply Chain Development program, which will foster an efficient supply chain; develop a business-to-business online market platform; create alternative market access for buyers and sellers; enhance farmers’ income; promote proper rice branding and classification; and make rice affordable to consumers.
“Our aim is to enhance the income of our hard-working rice farmers through more efficient market and supply chain arrangements. We envision a future where our rice is not only of high quality, but is also recognized and appreciated in the market,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr.
Tiu Laurel noted that this collaboration between the DA, DTI, and NIA holds the promise of transforming the rice supply chain in our country.
With the cooperation in production, classification, marketing and distribution of domestic rice, he stressed that the country could elevate the status of its agricultural products on the global stage.
Agriculture contributed nine percent to gross domestic product last year. The sector, however, employed around 25 percent of the 49.7 million Filipinos in the labor force as of November last year.