Visayas' first Iron Fortified Rice Processing Facility soon to rise in Northern Samar

MONDAY, APRIL 05, 2021

Mass production of affordable and nutritious Iron Fortified Rice (IFR) is expected to rise in the province of Northern Samar, as DOST VIII thru its Provincial Science and Technology Center in the province strongly collaborates with the Local Government Unit of Laoang, Northern Samar for the development of the project under the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Program.

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII represented by Dr. Ramil T. Uy, Regional Coordinator for CEST, Ms. Marilyn O. Radam, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations and Engr. Veronica A. Laguitan, Provincial Director of PSTC Northern Samar, personally met with Laoang Municipal Mayor, Hon. Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan along with other LGU officials and several representatives from the Mainland Farmers and Producers Cooperative (MAFPC) last Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at the Board Room of the Laoang Municipal Hall to discuss the details and proposed action plan for the establishment of an Iron Fortified Rice (IFR) processing facility in the Municipality. Dr. Uy pointed out that the funds for the said project amounting to 5.55M has already been approved for release and that the implementation shall commence starting April 2021.

Uy said that DOST VIII will provide trainings on the operation and management of the IFR facility to ensure its sustainability.

Mayor Ongchuan committed that the Local Government of Laoang will closely cooperate with DOST VIII as far as the implementation is concerned for the overall attainment of the project’s objectives. He added that the LGU will provide the site and the building which will house the equipment. The solon likewise expressed his excitement being the partner in the operation and management of the project which is the first ever in Visayas.

The said project aims primarily to address the Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) incidence in the province of Northern Samar through the infusion of S&T interventions particularly the adoption of the Iron Fortified Rice Technology developed by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI). This will also provide livelihood support for the local rice farmers in the municipality.

The municipality of Laoang is 58 km from the capital town Catarman and just 10 minutes boat ride from the mainland. The project will be in established in the province due to its high incidence of iron deficiency among its constituents. Based on the 2018 Expanded National Nutritional survey, the following figures inclining to the iron deficient residents in the province of Northern Samar showed: 23.2% of infants from 6 to 71 months old are anemic, 13.1% of children from 6 to 12 years old are anemic; 12.7% of kids from 13 to 19 years old are anemic, 9.7% of lactating mothers and 11.4% of non-pregnant/non lactating mothers shows iron deficiency, and 18.4% of elderly with 60 years old and over are also anemic. If fully operationalized, the production of iron fortified rice or the fortification pellets is expected to supply the Western and Eastern provinces of Samar. (By Fernando D. Buzon III, DOST VIII)