The conference will be held under the joint auspices of the Asia Rice Foundation (ARF), IRRI, and UP Los Banos-College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology.
ARF is a Los Baños-based regional rice research, extension and education advocacy foundation.
The conference aims to show the business opportunities of brown rice.
"While the nutritional value (high fiber; antioxidant; rich in B vitamins; lowers serum cholesterol) of brown rice, the savings in the milling process, and high milling recovery (10 percent more than polished rice) are well documented, there is a need for entrepreneurs to break into the business so that its supply will be more and steady in the rice stalls and supermarkets," the conference organizers stressed.
They also expressed the hope that more Filipinos will have greater access to this nutritious food.
Invited to share their knowledge and expertise in brown rice are millers, traders, and researchers in milling, drying, storage, insects and their control, economics and marketing, and consumer acceptability.
Those interested in attending the open seminar-conference may contact Dr. Rogelio V. Cuyno at telefax No. (049) 536-2285 or send an-email to asiarice@laguna.net. – RAF