Rice to be harvested at Luneta

Some 400 selected elementary pupils, high school students, and teachers in Metro Manila schools will be given the rare opportunity to experience harvesting rice or witness how the country’s top crop is reaped at the Rizal Park today.

The harvest festival will be held at the Rice Garden situated at the northwest corner of Rizal Park, Phase 2, behind the restaurant opposite the Manila Hotel.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap and Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus have been invited to lead the ceremonial harvest together with the children.

A rice advocate, Dr. Edith Tronqued-Burgos of the Rice Media Advocacy Network (RMAN)-Philippines will also deliver an inspiration message.

The rice harvest festival is one of the activities lined up by the government and the private sector to mark the multi-agency, nationwide, and yearlong celebration of International Year of Rice (IYR) 2004 in the country.

The celebration of IYR 2004 was ushered in by Proclamation 524 signed by President Arroyo affirming the government’s commitment to IYR’s goals, namely: food security, reduction of poverty, environmental sustainability, and cultural heritage.

It was upon the proposal of the Philippine government and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) that the United Nations General assembly declared 2004 as IYR.

The terraced Rice Garden, inaugurated on April 2, 2001, occupies an area in the country’s most famous park.

It is a joint project of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry, Presidential Commission for the New Century and the Millennium, Department of Tourism-National Parks Development Committee, and Asia Rice Foundation.

The garden has been conceived to educate the general public about rice – its importance to Filipinos; its whole production spectrum from breeding to growing to harvesting; and recent technological developments that can improve rice farming and enhance the quality of life of Filipino farmers.

Specifically, it aims to make the people aware and appreciate rice’s importance to the country’s culture, nourishment, and economy; and provide visitors with an enjoyable and enriching experience as they learn about rice or service facility that aims to improve people’s access to information and technology in agriculture and natural resources.