ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – A million “food guardians” will be generated for 100 million Filipino rice consumers after the National Food Authority (NFA) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that wastage of rice had gone up to P10 billion yearly or around P27 million daily.
The NFA and DA have started the “1 Million Food Guardians for 100 Million Filipino People” campaign.
The data are based on statistics showing an individual is wasting a daily average of two tablespoons of rice, which add up to 3.3 kilograms a year, according to NFA assistant regional director Gaudencio Nuega.
“If we can save this much we can help address food security and alleviate poverty,” he said.
Having a population of 100 million, the country is estimated to have wasted some 330,000 metric tons of rice every year, he added.
Anybody can be a member of the “1 Million Food Guardians” by signing up support at any NFA office in the country, Nuega said.