Anileen O. Pajarillo
RiceBIS NEGROS
Good product yields more money to coop members CHRISTINA A. FREDILES
Because of RiceBIS Negros, the group of Rabboni M. Villarosa in Cansilayan, Murcia, Negros Occidental has not only learned the health benefits of brown rice but its business potential, as well. Brown or unpolished rice has more protein, dietary fiber, B and E vitamins, and minerals compared with the glistening white rice. Established in 2019, RiceBIS Negros Agrarian Reform Cooperative (RiceBISNARCo) sells their brown rice branded as “Murciana: Ang Brown Rice Nga Tatak Negrense” in the District-Ayala Mall in Talisay City and local government of Negros Occidental, especially in their regional hospital. According to Anileen O. Pajarillo, RiceBIS Negros project leader, they have helped local farmers link their products with 16
PHILRICE MAGAZINE JAN-MAR 2021
local online platforms and other business development providers aside from improving their rice production through the technologies taught to them. “When we were starting, brown rice was unpopular in our community. We initiated its promotion by serving brown rice arroz caldo for 2 consecutive years during the celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month every November. This was in partnership with the elementary schools in Cansilayan and Murcia,” recalled Villarosa, 59, RiceBISNARCo manager. Aside from brown rice, the Coop sells pigmented rice – specifically, their local red and black rice. RiceBISNARCo has 44 active members. They sell their brown rice for P50-P70/kg
giving them an extra income of P9.00/kg. Compared with directly selling their fresh palay harvest at P17-P23, Coop members now enjoy a stouter income from farming. In 2020, the Coop generated P50,000 net income. “As a young cooperative, our priority is to capacitate our members to help them increase their yield; our income will follow suit,” Villarosa said.
Road less taken On top of better rice-farming practices, Villarosa adopted the “gospel of RiceBIS” to go straight to buyers to maximize his earnings in the rice market value chain. Such is a smarter practice than selling through the traders’ agents.
