ATI-RTC X---Did you know that we are celebrating the Rice Awareness Month for November, with this year’s theme “Quality Rice, Quality Life”?

ATI-RTC X kicked off the celebration with a two-day activity. More than 200 farmers and agriprenuers flocked to the Robinson’s Mall in Iligan City for the Farmers Summit and National Rice Awareness Month kick off celebration in October 30, 2019. The one day summit presented the success stories of rice farmers and Learning Site Operators of Lanao del Norte. Among the speakers include Mr. James Lungcob, a Gawad Saka Awardee.

Observing that many of the participants are women, OIC Center Director Maria Lydia Echavez expressed her appreciation that many farmers, particularly women still want to engage in agriculture. “It is the desire of the Department of Agriculture to raise our farmers' produce and income. And it is the duty of the ATI to broaden the minds of the people, that farming should be anchored in agribusiness, not only in production but up to the marketing aspect”, Ms. Echavez said.

Another kick off activity included the employees of the ATI-RTC X who compete for a prize on a Quiz Bee on rice and the Rice Tariffication Law (RA 11203). A video presentation on the RA 11203 was produced purposely to make the employees aware of what is happening in the rice industry. One presentation also showed the difference between the Philippine and Japanese rice production, where mechanization was emphasized as the biggest contributing factor to boost production and reduce cost in rice farming. A boodle fight with a sumptuous lunch of brown rice, mixed vegetable with bagoong, the Filipino "bam-i" and barbeque completed the event.

The month long celebration is observed by virtue of Proclamation No. 524 signed on January 5, 2004, by then Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.