In celebration of the Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’s Month, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is featuring different varieties of rice and other by-products at the DA Central Office lobby from May 13 to 16, 2025. From local rice varieties and rice-based snacks to biofertilizers, the exhibitors showcase the creativity and hard work of Filipino agri-entrepreneurs and farmer groups and cooperatives.
Assistant Secretary for Operations and National Rice Program Director U-Nichols Manalo emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers beyond the observance of National Rice Awareness Month every November. He encouraged everyone to embrace the “ABAKADA” principles in their daily lives:
- A – Adlay, mais, saba, atbp. ay ihalo sa kanin (Mix rice with other staples)
- B – Brown rice ay kainin (Eat brown rice)
- K – Kanin ay huwag sayangin (Don’t waste rice)
- D – Dapat Bigas ng Pilipinas ang bilhin (Buy Philippine rice)
Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Engr. Christopher Morales also graced the opening of the exhibit and joined Asec. Manalo and National Rice Program Deputy Director Ralph Alan Ceniza in visiting the booths to show their support for the participating exhibitors.
The DA calls on the public to continue supporting farmers and fisherfolk by buying their products and promoting local agriculture.
Here are the featured agri-fisheries commodities for the upcoming weeks of May:
- May 19–23 – Coffee, Cacao, Sugar, Fiber, and Other High-Value Crops
- May 26–30 – Livestock, Dairy, and Corn
(Text by Ira Y. Cruz; Photos by Ardy M. Tompong, DA-AFID)
