2010 Slow Food Terra Madre October 19-25 (part 1)

Mary and Vicky-- Welcome to the 2010 Terra Madre

Three years ago I began the process of nominating the heirloom rice of the Cordillera region to the Slow Food Foundation’s “Ark of Taste”. It seemed like a logical step in the effort to help preserve the native rice varieties still grown in the fragile ecosystems of the terraces and to validate the traditional farming practices that have kept those heirloom seeds alive.  In July 2010, the three nominated varieties were accepted into the Ark.  As a result of that designation, five farmers from the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project plus Vicky Garcia, the executive director of RICE, Inc., the non-profit capacity building NGO, were invited to be delegates to the 2010 Slow Food Foundation’s Terra Madre gathering in Turin Italy October 19-25, 2010. As founder of the project and president of Eighth Wonder, Inc., the project’s US-based marketing partner, I was honored to join them at the Terra Madre as part of the Philippine delegation.

But to actually be sitting in the Palasport Olimpico in Turin Italy for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Terra Madre was beyond my imagination. As I watched Blacio Akinchang, a farmer from a remote village in Mountain Province, carrying the Philippine flag during the opening ceremonies, the tears were streaming down my face.

Blacio Akinchang carries the Philippine flag during the opening ceremony

I don’t think Blacio had ever been to Manila, let alone flown in an airplane. But there he was, an extremely proud farmer, representing not only our heirloom rice communities, but also the tens of thousands of indigenous farmers in the Cordillera still struggling to produce their native rice.

Blacio Akinchang

Philippine delegation in traditional dress

A tangible link had been made between these farmers and a supportive global community that understands and values the connection between indigenous knowledge, food, culture and environmental sustainability.

 

Changing the way things work

It’s a common practice for the government to donate machines to farmers. It is not a common practice to provide follow up technical support on the operation and maintenance of the machines.

Three sets of custom-built post-harvest machines were designed, manufactured and installed for use in our project areas last year. (See our blog post August 23, 2009)

Operator's Training at PhilRice August 19-20, 2010

A basic operator training was given to the farmer/operators at the time of installation and the farmer/operators went on to successfully process their 2009 harvest for export sales and then subsequent amounts, throughout the year, for local domestic sales.

But machine operators felt that they needed a more intensive training on trouble shooting, repair and maintenance of their new machines. At the request of RICE, Inc., a training module was designed by the PhilRice Engineering Department, in coordination with JHT Manufacturing Company, the machine’s fabricator. A 2 day workshop at PhilRice August 19 and 20, 2010 provided a well organized training with both lectures and a “hands-on” practicum.

Operators were given hands on experience with processing machines

The trainers were excellent. They were able to present highly technical information in a practical way that made sense to the farmers. A training manual was written that outlined and described step-by-step processes; it was made easy with pictures and outlined descriptions. At least five different languages were spoken among the trainers and the eight participating farmer/operators. It was important that all operators learned and used a common language for the parts of the machines and the tools that they used.

The second day of the training focused on the “actual” troubleshooting and operation of the machine. Although the machines were not identical models, the participants were challenged to understand basic functions. Working as provincial teams, the participants had to dismantle and reassemble the “dehuller-grain paddy separator.” Each team had to work together; they had to understand how each part of the machine worked, and explain to the trainers what they were doing as they reassembled the machine.

An improperly used worn rubber roll

The “rubber roll” shown at the left, which is used in dehulling the grain, is the perfect example of why there is a need for such training. The rubber rolls are very expensive parts. Not manufactured in the Philippines, they must be imported from Thailand or Vietnam. The rolls should be able to dehull at least 30MT of palay before they show wear. But this roller was worn out before 10 metric tons were dehulled. This indicates that the machine was not operated properly and that wear and tear on other parts of the machine would probably be indicated.

Training was also given on the micro-mill.

The project is still in need of a winnowing/air screen-cleaning machine to replace the hand winnowing currently being done. PhilRice is working on an appropriate design but we will still need to raise funds for the manufacturing and procurement of the machine.

PhilRice Deputy Director Eulito Bautista stopped by to observe the training and to highlight the partnership of PhilRice and the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project. He said that the partnership still has much work to do in order to help the terraces farmers achieve the benefits of post harvest technology in their farming activity.

Learning the tools, the parts and even proper electrical wiring

All agreed that it was a very successful training. Participants had achieved a new confidence as operators. They went home with new skills and a Machine Manual for Operators. PhilRice provided a holistic training design with very thorough, knowledgeable trainers and in an atmosphere of partnership.  They also acknowledged the importance of follow up support to farmers who receive new machines and technologies.

We would like to sincerely thank PhilRice for their continued partnership on this project.  We would especially like to thank the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) at Benguet State University for the counter-part support in funding this training.

 

It’s official!

It’s official! The International Ark Commission of the Slow Food Foundation has approved the inclusion of three varieties of heirloom rice from the Philippine Cordillera into the Foundation’s “Ark of Taste.”

Official listing of Philippine heirloom rice to the "Ark of Taste"

Ominio (top) and Imbuucan grains (below)

The “Ark of Taste” aims to catalog, describe and publicize outstanding gastronomic foods and food products that are threatened in our globally changing world. Inclusion in the Ark means that the rice has met the foundation’s standards for taste quality, environmental sustainability and respect for the cultural identity of the producers. All products listed in the Ark are recognized to have real economic viability and commercial potential.

With listing of the first three rice varieties from Cordillera–Imbuucan from Ifugao, Ominio from Mountain Province and Chong-ak from Kalinga, the high-elevation terrace farmers are one step closer to making their heirloom rice an economic engine for the region and a means for preserving the fragile biodiversity of the terraces and the cultural identity of the indigenous people.

Imbuucan (left) and Chong-ak grains (right)

 

An exciting new project development

One of our most exciting project developments is our new connection to the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity (Italy). It seems an obvious alliance.

The Slow Food Foundation is a worldwide organization that has a mission to defend food biodiversity by supporting sustainable agriculture that safeguards the environment and the land. It promotes the production of small-scale quality food products and respect for cultural and gastronomic traditions.

One of the Foundation’s central initiatives is the “Ark of Taste”, which is a catalog of hundreds of extraordinary food products that are at risk of extinction. The rice of the Cordillera certainly fits the Foundation’s criteria for listing. The native rice of the Cordillera is not only an outstanding food product with a superior flavor, appearance and texture, but also, the rice is deeply intertwined with the culture of the indigenous people. Designation to the list would be one more step in the effort to get the international recognition and someday, the legal protection that the rice and the indigenous knowledge of the farmers deserves.

Mary Hensley, Ben Watson and Vicky Garcia (taking the picture) met in New Hampshire in October 2009

With the help and assistance of Ben Watson, the US representative to the International Ark Commission, we were able to formulate a strategy for nominating the rice to the Ark.

Initially, three varieties would be nominated–one variety from each of the provinces where the project operates. The varieties include the Imbuucan of Hingyon, Ifugao (Eighth Wonder’s Tinawon Fancy), the Chong-ak variety of Pasil, Kalinga (aka Kalinga Unoy) and the Ominio variety of Barlig, Mountain Province (aka Mountain Violet Sticky Rice).

RICE, Inc.’s staff and the local municipal agriculture technicians collected the technical information needed for the applications and the applications were submitted to the Slow Food Foundation in Italy in January 2010.

Kalinga delegates Rowena Sawil (l) and Rowena Gonnay (r) inspect rice bundles with researcher Giselle Aris (center)

As a result of the nominations, Vicky Garcia and 5 farmers have been selected as delegates to the Foundation’s Terra Madre conference in Turin, Italy this coming October! The Terra Madre is an international gathering of over 7,000 food producers, chefs, food writers, students and educators. Every two-year, delegates from all over the world gather to discus global food sustainability issues and celebrate the gastronomic traditions of the whole world.

Stay tuned for updates!

 

Raising the visibility of the project

The Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project strives to be a model for culturally sensitive economic development. In reality, it takes a lot of time and energy to raise the visibility of the project, the farmers, the terraces and, of course, the rice. Over the past two months, Vicky has given presentations to both government agencies and an international organization; met with an American chef and food journalist at the International Food Exposition Philippines; and accompanied an international foundation representative and a documentary film maker on trips to meet and interview farmers involved in the project. (If Autobus and Victory Liner had frequent traveler program, Vicky would surely be in their elite mileage programs.

XinYa Media, Singapore

Documentary filmmaker Forss visits project

Between May 15 and 18, Vicky had the privilege of accompanying documentary filmmaker Pearl Forss to meet and interview farmers involved in the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project. At the Chinese Media Group XinYa, Ms Forss heads programming and production of documentaries highlighting sustainable development. She was previously a senior broadcast journalist at Channel News Asia.

During her visit to the Philippines, Ms Forss met with farmers in the Hungduan (Ifugao) Farmers Association, interviewed their municipal Agriculturist Alfonso Cayong and viewed terraces being restored through RICE’s Adopt a Terrace Program.

We hope that her interviews and filming will result in a segment in their upcoming series highlighting successful programs that are addressing poverty in Asia.

Meeting with farmers in Hungduan, Ifugao

International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines 2010
During the first week of May, Vicky met Louisa Chu, an American chef and food writer, who was an invited foreign journalist to the International Food Exposition (IFEX) Philippines in Pasay City. This year’s IFEX focused on food manufacturers and exporters from five different regions of the Philippines: Calabarzon, Bicol, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga.

International Food Expo Philippines 2010

Louisa had been introduced to the heirloom rice of the Cordillera through Lennie DiCarlo, founder and CEO of xroads Philippine Sea Salts™, a US importer of quality, hand-harvested natural sea salts from the Philippines. Lennie DiCarlo has been a project supporter since she met Mary at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco several years ago.

Showing off the heirloom rice

Although the farmers were not displaying their rice at the Expo this year, Vicky had the opportunity to talk with Chef Louisa about the project and show her the farmers’ export quantity rice. During the course of their discussion, Chu quoted Chef Thomas Keller, who in one of their session had said, “that there will be time when it will no longer be the chefs who draw people’s attention to food, but the farmers who are the producers of the food.” This was certainly an apropos insight since RICE, Inc. had just assisted the Cordillera terrace farmers in submitting an application to designate three native rice varieties to the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity’s “Ark of Taste”.

Due to a very full schedule of IFEX activities, Louisa couldn’t make a trip up to the terraces, but at least she had an opportunity to become better acquainted with the project and the heirloom rice.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-CAR)
At the end of April, Vicky gave a project presentation to provincial officers at a meeting sponsored by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-CAR). Although the DAR had been introduced to the project during a National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) seminar in Baguio in 2007, it was the farmers in DAR’s Agrarian Rural Communities who asked why there was no partnership with the project.

Asia Rice Foundation (USA) Annual Meeting at IRRI
On April 20, Vicky gave a project update to the Asia Rice Foundation (USA), whose annual meeting was being held this year at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos. The meeting had a video/audio link to members gathered in Ithaca, NY and Davis, CA.

Meeting of the Asia Rice Foundation (USA) at IRRI

Vicky took the opportunity to report back on the region-wide evaluation and planning workshop for the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project, which was generously underwritten by the Asia Rice Foundation (USA). The workshop was held January 13-15, 2009 at the NIA compound in La Trinidad, Benguet. For the first time, it brought together stakeholders, farmers and project partners from the three provinces of Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province and plus observer representatives from Benguet province. Thirty-two stakeholders attended the three-day workshop, which was professionally facilitated.

During the course of the presentation, Vicky was asked if the red and violet/black seed coated varieties had been tested for anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are a powerful antioxidant that is found in red/purplish fruits and vegetables, including purple cabbage, beets, blueberries, cherries, raspberries and purple grapes. Interest in anthocyanin pigments has increased because of their possible health benefits as dietary antioxidants, which may have preventive and therapeutic roles in a number of human diseases. Although testing of the rice had been considered, it was found to be too expensive. There was an offer from one member to see if her lab could do some testing. Eighth Wonder has since sent samples for testing and we anxiously await the results!

 

Abandoned

A visit to the Ifugao Rice Terraces isn’t complete without a stop at Banaue Viewpoint. From the view deck, one can gaze out across the sculpted valley or hike down to a pencil point terrace that seemingly thrusts itself into the valley space.

Pictures of that beautiful terrace have graced many publications, including the “1000 Places to Visit Before You Die Calendar”, its page now prominently displayed on my refrigerator door.

This year, that iconic terrace became one more of the hundreds of terraces across the Cordillera region that has been left idle as farmers abandon their centuries-old culture of terrace farming. Was it damaged by last years’ typhoons, was there no irrigation water available because of the El Nino drought, or did the owners simply stopped farming?

I don’t know the answer. Although the sight of that abandon terrace fills me with a deep sense of loss and sadness it also fills me with determination.

Another terrace left abandoned

The Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project is supporting farmers to continue rice terrace farming, to reclaim a part of their heritage and to revitalize their historic terraces. Through a Fair Trade partnership with Eighth Wonder, Inc., the project is helping farmers to sustainably grow and market their native heirloom rice.

We may not be able to save this particular terrace, but because of the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project, hundreds of farmers throughout the Cordillera have found a new economic opportunity that builds on their indigenous knowledge and helps preserve the ecology and biodiversity of their historic landscape.

For more information on the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project, please see our website at www.heirloomrice.com.

 

Effects of El Nino on Terrace Farmers

Vicky Garcia took a circle trip through the Cordillera- Baguio, Bontoc, Barlig and Banaue- during the week of April 21, 2010.

Cordillera terrace farmers were not spared from the drought of El Nino. Although the weather pattern was predicted, farmers were not expecting the total absence of rain beginning in December.

Prior to the El Nino, the region was severely affected by a series of storms that blew through at the end of 2009. Farmers worked for many weeks and months rebuilding their terraces. Torrential rains and landslides damaged terrace walls, irrigation systems and the paddies.

Terrace paddies cracked and dried

Because of this, the planting of the terrace seedbeds was delayed. This, in turn, delayed the transplanting time in most of the municipalities where the project is active. Because of this delay, the seedlings were greatly affected by the heat and drought of the El Nino. Severe drought condition were reported in Banaue, Kiangan, some parts of Hungduan, Aguinaldo and Hingyon in Ifugao; in Lubuagan and some parts Pasil, Kalinga; as well as in some areas of Barlig, Sadanga, Natonin and Tadian, Mountain Province

As part of an effort to help project farmers document their traditional farming practices, RICE, Inc. had given a number of disposable film cameras to farmers. Farmers took the following pictures that document the effects of the drought.

The first picture, taken in mid-March in the Banaue-Hingyon area shows a late growing seedbed. Instead of transplanting in early January, this farmer was transplanting in mid-March.

Drought in Banaue

The middle picture shows the need for larger pvc hoses to carry the much needed water from the main water source to paddies. Far right, several weeks after transplanting, the rice is dying in the field. The normally wet terraces were cracked and dry to a depth of almost 5 inches..

RICE Inc., along side with local agriculture officers, toured the affected areas. The most severely affected were low to medium elevation terraces. The medium to high elevation areas of Pasil (Balatoc, Balinciagao, Culayo), Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Kalinga; Kadaclan (Lunas-chupac and Fiagtin) in Barlig and Natonin, Mountain Province seemed be less affected. In areas where there was not enough water to irrigate the terrace paddies, the farmers fetched water at night in order to sustain the water level needed by the rice, especially during the dough stage of the plant.

It was reported in some areas along the Benguet-Bontoc National Road, farmers bought rationed water in order to maintain their gardens that were accessible to the roadside. In Tanudan, Tinglayan and Sadanga, farmers were appealing to their culture’s ancestral gods for rain.

Waiting for the rains

During this time of year, if not for El Nino, the rice would be in the flowering to maturation stage. But what we witnessed was mostly empty paddies. There was no water running in the irrigation canals and the paddies were dry and parched.

In the higher elevation terraces, which still have intact watershed areas, water was still available for irrigation.

With Barlig’s Municipal Agriculturist Cef Oryan and NIA (CAR)’s Heirloom Rice regional coordinator, Tulips Yagyaga, we were able to visit the farm of Ominio producer, Blacio Akinchang, in the Lunas-Kadaclan (Barlig) area.

Inspecting fields in Barlig, Mountain Province

Visiting Blacio Akinchang in Barlig

Blacio is one of the most consistent farmers for producing Ominio (Mountain Violet Sticky Rice) for export sales. He welcomed our group to house, which had been renovated using money he had earned from the sale of his sticky rice in 2008-2009. He related that before joining the CHRP his house was falling down. With his sales from the Ominio rice, he was able to set concrete posts and attach GI sheet walling. He was able to add more space for the family.

Carbonizer for making organic fertilizer from rice hulls

Blacio was also a beneficiary of a carbonizer, which is used for making organic fertilizer from threshed panicles and rice hulls. RICE Inc. helped secure 60 carbonizers from PhilRice for distribution in project areas.

The Barlig LGU should be commended for their counterpart support that has been critical to moving the project forward. That support has included counterpart sharing for farmers’ transportation costs, logistical support for the consolidation of the harvest, transportation of the palay to the processing area in Bontoc.

Working together in support of the farmers

They are working closely to help build the cooperative capacity of the growers of Ominio and Chor-chor-os varieties. Pictured at left are Barlig’s Vice Mayor Edmund Sidchayao, Tulips Yagyaga, NIA (CAR), Barlig Mayor Magdalena Lupoyon, Vicky and Cef Oryan, Municipal Agriculturist.

 

Promoting the project at the regional level

The May 2010 national election of Benigno Aquino III as the Philippines’ new president brings high hopes that he will follow the legacy of his parents and work to eliminate corruption and poverty and restore trust in government.

Over the past few months there have also been several changes in personnel on the regional level. Vicky Garcia made a number of courtesy calls to regional government offices in the Cordillera in order to update current and new administrators about the project and promote good relations for their continued support.

DA CAR Director Lucresio Alviar, Jr

Meeting with DA (CAR) Director Alviar

Vicky was anxious to meet the new Department of Agriculture (CAR) Director Lucresio Alviar Jr, who replaced Director Cesar Rodriguez. Vicky took the opportunity to introduce Director Alviar to the work of the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project.  Director Alviar was very interested in the project’s activities and requested more information about the changes in agricultural outputs as a result of the project. Also attending the meeting were Tulip Yagyagan, Heirloom Rice Regional coordinator for NIA (CAR) and Robert Domoguen, DA (CAR) Information Officer.

NIA (CAR) Regional Director Engineer John Socalo
The National Irrigation Administration (CAR) has a new regional director with the appointment of Engineer John Socalo. Prior to his appointment as the regional NIA administrator, Director Socalo (Kalinga) was the provincial director of NIA (Kalinga).

In 2009, the Kalinga NIA office provided logistical support during the Organic Certification Center of the Philippines (OCCP) inspection of the project’s pilot certification areas.  During her recent visit with the Director, they outlined the areas where the work of RICE, Inc. aligned with the NIA mandate to assist farmers/irrigators in irrigation and production support and services. Director Socalo confirmed his continued support for the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project and sees specific areas of partnership with RICE Inc.

CHARM 2 Director Cameroon Odsey

The Cordillera Highland Agricultural Resource Management (CHARM) Project is a government poverty reduction program, executed through the Department of Agriculture, that target specifically targets Indigenous communities in three provinces of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The CHARM goal is to increase the farm family income of the rural poor through sustainable agricultural development and enhance the quality of life of the rural poor through improving land tenure security, food security and watershed conservation.

Meeting with CHARM 2 Director and NIA (CAR)'s Heirloom Rice Coordinator

Vicky specifically requested a meeting with CHARM Director Cameroon Odsey to give him an update on the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project. RICE, Inc. operates its programs in nine of the thirty-seven targeted municipalities (21 of the 85 villages) of CHARM 2. Inclusion in program offers an opportunity for assistance in the areas of irrigation improvements, organic agriculture trainings and other infrastructure support. Director Odsey was very excited to share CHARM2’s plans for institutionalizing the capacity of village organizations, an effort that is certainly shared by the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project.

 

2009 Updates from the project

December 2009
Eighth Wonder Rice at the Blair House, Washington DC

Non traditional heirloom grains decorate the Blair House

Eighth Wonder Heirloom Rice was included in a non-traditional holiday display at the Blair House in Washington, DC in December. The Blair House is the guesthouse for international visitors to the White House.

The project, the State Department’s Magazine Holiday Design Showcase, was a joint effort between the State Department and a number of food magazines. Mother Earth News (MEN) made the request for rice for their decorating project. MEN’s nontraditional decorations featured heirloom varieties of the world’s three primary grains–corn, wheat and rice.

The visually striking heirloom rice was used in the table display

Vicky Garcia, Executive Director RICE, Inc. visits US
October-November, 2009

Vicky Garcia made a long overdue visit to the United States and to Eighth Wonder, Inc. in Montana.

Warehouse shipping in Montana

During her visit on the East Coast, Vicky and Mary shared their experiences of building an economic development project from the ground up with current graduate students at the SIT Graduate Institute (Vermont, USA), their alma mater.

In Keene New Hampshire, they met with Ben Watson, the US representative to the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity in Italy. With Ben’s help, they made a strategy for nominating three varieties of the heirloom rice to the Foundation’s “Ark of Taste”.   Designation of the rice to the prestigious Ark list could be a stepping stone toward protecting the farmers’ indigenous knowledge and their native rice varieties through international legal recognition that the rice is a distinct cultural product of the Cordillera, made in a traditional, controlled way and is specific to this geographic region.

Along with Lina Hervas-Blair, president of the RICE, Inc. Board of Directors, and her husband, David Blair, they met Chef Victor Beguin of La Bonne Table (New Hampshire). Chef Beguin has volunteered to help describe the rice for marketing purposes and write recipes that will highlight the rice.

Rice on the shelf in a local market

During her visit in Montana, Vicky saw the many facets involved in the processing, repackaging and marketing the rice. She was able to visit several stores where the rice is sold.  Vicky also attended the Montana Organic Association’s annual meeting and toured several organic food processing facilities in the area.

Helping with online orders

October 2009
Terraces featured in National Geographic Traveler magazine

National Geographic Traveler magazine featured the Rice Terraces of the Cordillera in its October 2009 anniversary edition, 50 Places of a Lifetime, highlighting the world’s greatest travel destinations. Mary Hensley, founder of Eighth Wonder, Inc. and the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project, wrote the accompanying essay.

Terraces of the Cordillera, NGT October 2009 issue

August 30- September 08, 2009
Ifugao Processing Site

The Ifugao processing site in Banaue was the hardest to secure, mainly because there is little flat land available for development in the very mountainous municipality. Any land available comes with either a very high monetary or political price.

Banaue Processing Site

Fortunately for the project, a short-term lease was negotiated with the Good News Clinic and Hospital, a non-profit health clinic in Banaue, for the use of a large vacant building that they owned.

The building is an unfinished hotel, which had been started by a foreigner, who was tragically murdered before the hotel’s completion. The building would make a great site for a farmer training center, with its almost finished guest rooms above a large open lobby area. We are very grateful for the generosity of Dr. Antonio Ligot in allowing our use of the building for the short term.

A (processing) room with a view.

Since it had been vacant for 5 or 6 years, several hundred meters of electrical wire had to be strung to bring electricity back into the building. Water pipes from the spring across the road had to be reset and opened before the building was useable. Somehow the staff and farmers worked out the logistics.

The machines arrived on schedule and were installed by our fearless team of mechanics, who were making their third installation trip to the Cordillera.

Bags of palay awaiting processing

But things didn’t go quite as smoothly as in Bontoc. Continuous rains delayed the delivery of the rice by some of the farmers. Numerous breakdowns in the newly installed equipment brought processing to a halt until the manufacturer’s mechanic could return with needed parts and determine why the farmers were having such a difficult time processing the rice. The mechanic finally realized that the grain-sorting table had been manufactured incorrectly. The machine was disassembled, taken to a local welding shop, torched apart and reassembled.

The processing time in Ifugao was extended by four days in the hopes that more farmers could deliver their palay. Although several tons could not be delivered, the farmers were able to process 4.6 tons of finished rice.

The new micro mill in action

 

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PRESIDENT OF THE RICE TERRACES FARMERS COOPERATIVE-MT PROVINCE CHAPTER

The Cordillera region, along with the rest of Luzon, was devastated by an unprecedented number of severe typhoons in 2009. The typhoons caused extensive power and communication outages, landslides that closed roads and brought death and destruction to villages. Many terraces were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of water coursing through them, washing away seedbeds and collapsing rain-soaked and weakened walls.

Francis Dangiwan, center, with Barlig farmers

One of the greatest casualties was the untimely death of Francis Dangiwan, the vice mayor of Sadanga, Mountain Province and the president of the Rice Terraces Farmers Cooperative, Mountain Province chapter, who suffered a fatal heart attack while helping clear debris after typhoon Pepeng.

Vicky Garcia, executive director of RICE, Inc. sends the following tribute to the late Vice Mayor and president of the RTFC, Mountain Province.

TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PRESIDENT OF THE RICE TERRACES FARMERS COOPERATIVE-MT PROVINCE CHAPTER

The Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project was launched in Mountain Province because of the persistence of Vice Mayor Francis Dangiwan, Sr. In 2007, Vice Mayor Dangiwan wrote a letter to RICE Inc and asked that the farmers of Sadanga and Mountain Province be considered for inclusion in the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project.

Although he represented the LGU as the Vice Mayor, he said that he was also a farmer. His personal letter reiterated the desire for the farmers of Sadanga and the whole of Mountain Province be included. His desire was coupled with a plan. His office could make arrangements with the National Irrigation Administration (CAR) to assist farmers interested in participating in the Project.

He was a very modest man and very committed to helping his people. He was the person who inspired me to extend the project to a third province. He understood that the vision of the project was to help the Cordillera region flourish economically, but to also help find a balance for preserving the culture and the environment.

On November 17, 2007, RICE Inc was invited to do project presentation at Mt Data. After which, I was invited by the municipalities of Barlig, Natonin, Bauko, Bontoc and Sadanga to conduct a municipal-wide orientation on the project. These five municipalities are now active partners with RICE Inc in the preservation of the terraces and traditional varieties, as well as the culture that revolves around their traditional rice.

Vice Mayor Dangiwan was elected president of the new provincial chapter of the Rice Terraces Farmers Cooperative and was instrumental in raising awareness among the farmers of Mountain Province Through his leadership, the board and farmer members from each of the five municipalities have been actively involved in promoting the production of traditional rice in the province.

In 2008, the vice mayor was very excited by the province’s first export opportunity. Leading by example, he and his family harvested their own Gomiki variety and processed it for export. He continually encouraged other farmers from Sadanga and assisted them in hauling their rice to the processing center, despite the challenging road conditions. He saw the value of continuing to grow the traditional varieties as a high-value crop and understood that it could mean a new opportunity for farmers to fulfill their own dreams

This past year, he helped lobby the regional and provincial agriculture offices to support the procurement of the new custom designed post-harvest machines for the three provinces. In August 2009, through his leadership, a set of post harvest machine was installed in NIA compound in Bontoc. The following pictures are just a few that showed his commitment and support to the farmers of the Cordillera and the Cordillera Heirloom Rice Project.

Vice Mayor Dangiwan welcomed his farmers from Sadanga and helped explain the process for consolidating the rice and how a farmers’ cooperative could be an enterprise (not just a buy and sell) for farmers capitalizing on their own resources.

RTFC-MP chapter President Francis Dangiwan

Posing with his farmers and quality control inspectors after the final inspection, processing and loading of accepted volume for export at the NIA office.

Dangiwan with quality control inspectors and their accepted rice

On behalf of the Farmers’ Cooperative, Dangiwan accepted the turn over of the post harvest machines at the NIA compound. He challenged his group to step up to the leadership required of them to manage the enterprise. He also sought continued assistance and support from DA Region for a dryer to complete the set of machines required to fully process the rice at maximum level.

As Coop president, Dangiwan accepted machines on behalf of the MP farmers

As president of the Cooperative, Dangiwan signed the MOA during the turn over ceremony at NIA on August 25, 2009.

Dangiwan (right and seated) signs the MOA for the new machines

His own time,….he enjoyed just watching others.

Savoring a quiet moment

You will be greatly missed!