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SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ: US Ambassador Kristie Kenney lauded on
Tuesday Filipinos farmers, scientists and extension workers for
“literally feeding this nation,” and working in tandem with the
government in fighting poverty and malnutrition.
Speaking before some 1,500 agriculture
stakeholders at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in
Barangay Maligaya, Kenney said agriculture actually had a soft spot
in her heart because her father-in-law is also a farmer who does not
make money out of it.
In an interview, Kenney said the US and
Philippine governments are one in fighting malnutrition and poverty.
Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, PhilRice executive
director, briefed Kenney on the technology the agency is
transferring to Filipino farmers. The US ambassador was given a tour
of the research facilities as well as the rice fields.
The conference is focused on the technologies
and strategies that enhance productivity and sustainability of the
rice industry, according to PhilRice that conducts researches and
promotes rice technologies, thus revolutionizing farming systems.
“With the country’s poverty and malnutrition
situation, PhilRice aligns its efforts to conceptualizing and
implementing more comprehensive programs that would answer these
pressing issues,” said the office of Dr. Leocadio Sebastian,
PhilRice Executive Director.
More than 500 scientists, research and
development workers from agencies under Department of Agriculture,
state colleges and universities, people’s organizations and
farmer-leaders are expected to attend the scientific meeting.
The PhilRice cited a report from the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) that protein-energy malnutrition and
micronutrient deficiencies remain the leading nutritional problems
in the Philippines. Earlier reports indicated that about 12 million
Filipinos were underweight while about 28 million are unable to buy
food to meet nutritional requirements and other basic needs.
“Researchers are now geared to the development
of locally adapted technologies that will provide consumers with
higher yield and more nutritional values,” PhilRice said saying
its a way to address the problems cited by FAO and other agencies.
-- Armand M. Galang
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