Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY,
September 8 (PIA) – The Department of Agriculture (DA-7) recently launched
the #BROWN4good Challenge in Cebu.
During the press
conference, DA-7 Information Officer Cheryl dela Victoria said this
campaign aims to help the country’s local farmers to link them with good
establishments and retailers, and help them become entrepreneurs.
“This is also in support
of the Be Responsible advocacy campaign of DA through social media that aims to
boost the economy and production of brown rice in the country,” continued dela Victoria.
The event was attended
by the information officers of various government agencies and media.
Presidential Assistance
for the Visayas Sec. Michael Dino with DA 7 Regional Technical Director Joel
Elumba unveiled the “Mr. Brown Rice" logo.
Dela Victoria said that
those wishing to join their challenge should post photos of meals with brown
rice in all their social media accounts using the hashtags #BROWN4good
#region7.
Each hashtag is
equivalent to 100 grams of brown rice.
Dela Victoria said they
aim to generate at least 50,000 hashtags to achieve their target of having 100
sacks of brown rice for the charities that will receive these sacks as
donation.
Dela Victoria also
shared that DA is now negotiating with malls for an agreement to
require their concessionaires to sell brown rice to the public.
Dir. Elumba said brown
rice is more nutritious than the regular white rice.
According to DA-7, brown
rice has higher protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants compared
with white rice.
Brown rice could help
achieve self-sufficiency because of the 10% higher milling recovery,
Buying brown rice would
mean supporting local farmers and helping them increase their income.
For every hashtag, the
department will feed one less Filipino with brown rice through charities.
DA-7
officials encouraged the public to eat brown rice to be able to achieve the
challenge and at the same time it is a healthy choice. (rmn/hfg/DA-7)