Davao City – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and private groups, including an organic rice farmers cooperative, will host a one-day forum on organic and premium rice and Adlai farming at the Grand Regal Hotel here on Friday, Sept. 20.
The forum marks a shift in the direction of rice farming in Mindanao as the massive inflow of imported rice has boxed out local farmers producing ordinary rice from the market resulting in very low farm gate prices.
“Looking beyond Rice Liberalization: Growing and Marketing of Premium, Organic Rice and Adlai” gathers farmers’ groups, private companies, a local government unit and the regional offices of the Department of Agriculture which promotes Adlai Farming.
Adlai or Job’s Tears is a wild grass with round grains which tribal people grow and consume as staple food.
Interest in the Adlai has grown over the years because of its reputed health benefits.
Don Bosco Multi-Purpose Cooperative Executive Director Maria Helenita R. Gamela who pioneered the export of organic black and brown rice will make a presentation on organic rice farming and the different black and brown rice varieties.
Former Congressman Eric Acuña will lecture on the benefits of organic fertilizer called AMO which many farmers have used with positive results.
Remus Morandante, Vice President for Sales of Seedworks Philippines will introduce two hybrid rice varieties which could be grown organically with outstanding eating quality – Tatag TH 82 and US 88.
Dr. Sailila Abdula, DA Asst. Secretary for the BARMM and PhilRice Director for Midsayap will present premium quality inbred rice varieties.
Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Wilter Palma, known for his advocacy on organic rice farming, will share his province’s successful organic rice farming program.
Geonathan Barro, executive director for Agro Eco Philippines will share his company success stories in organic rice production.
Prospective premium and organic rice importers from Papua New Guinea, led by Central Province Governor Robert Agarobe, and the United States of America are expected to attend the forum.
At lunch, participants will be served premium and organic rice varieties including Adlai.
The shift to premium and organic rice farming in Mindanao is expected to open a niche market for Rice farmers affected by the rice liberalization.
Don Bosco earlier reported that they could not produce enough volume for the local market.
Attendance is open to all interested farmers but since the venue is not large enough, seats and food will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
(Video and photos were taken in Digos, Davao del Sur and Mlang, North Cotabato showing Seedworks demo farms.)
https://www.facebook.com/100004041456946/videos/pcb.1711094879035211/1711094585701907
More Stories
Trump Presidency Boon To Philippine Agriculture
Mindanao Fruit Fest Scheduled Sept. 2025
DA, MinDA, LGU! MinDA Targets Tribal Areas For Highland Rice Farming