By Komfie Manalo
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is gearing up to offer Filipinos affordable and healthier rice options with the launch of “Sulit” and “Nutri” rice in 2025. These initiatives aim to address the rising cost of staple foods while promoting better nutrition for the public.
In a recent interview, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced that both rice varieties would be available at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores, providing more accessible options to Filipino consumers.
- Sulit Rice: Priced at P35 to P36 per kilogram, this variety comprises 100% broken but high-quality white rice. While it will primarily come from imported sources, the DA is open to procuring local rice when available.
- Nutri Rice: Offered at P36 to P37 per kilogram, this type is neither white nor brown but boasts enhanced health benefits due to its minimal milling process.
The DA has already started testing these products within the department, with Secretary Tiu Laurel personally endorsing their quality and benefits.
“Sulit rice is already available from importers, and it’s delicious—pure white and of good quality,” he shared.
On the other hand, Nutri Rice has garnered praise for its health benefits, especially for individuals with specific dietary needs. “At home, we eat Nutri Rice because it’s healthier. As a diabetic, I’ve noticed it doesn’t spike my sugar levels and keeps me fuller for longer,” Tiu Laurel said.
Healthier milling process
Nutri Rice undergoes a single-pass milling process, retaining essential nutrients, minerals, and fiber often lost during the traditional three-pass milling. This approach results in a higher % milling recovery rate of 78% compared to the typical 63% recovery from conventional milling methods.
“The three-pass milling process removes all nutrients, minerals, and fiber. But with a single pass, these vital components remain intact,” Tiu Laurel explained.
The DA plans to begin selling Sulit Rice by January 2025, followed by the launch of Nutri Rice by mid-year.
In addition to Sulit and Nutri Rice, the DA will utilize its PHP5 billion approved fund for its Rice for All program under Kadiwa ng Pangulo. This program aims to make rice more affordable for vulnerable sectors of society.
- Rice for All: Mixed local and imported commercial well-milled rice will be sold at PHP38 to PHP39 per kilogram, significantly below market rates.
- P29 Rice: Aging but good-quality stocks from the National Food Authority (NFA) will be sold at PHP29 per kilogram to marginalized groups, including senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“This initiative allows us to buy rice from traders, farmers, cooperatives, and importers and sell it through Kadiwa ng Pangulo at competitive prices,” said Tiu Laurel.
Fund allocation
The P5 billion fund will be divided as follows:
- P3 billion for Rice for All.
- P1.5 billion for P29 rice targeting disadvantaged sectors.
- P500 million for warehouse rehabilitation and logistics costs.
Scaling Kadiwa ng Pangulo Centers
The DA aims to expand the reach of Kadiwa ng Pangulo Centers to bring affordable rice closer to Filipino households. The current plan includes:
- Operationalizing 170 KNP Centers and kiosks by the end of 2024.
- Expanding to 300 centers by mid-2025.
- Establishing a total of 1,500 centers before the end of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term.
Some KNP Centers and kiosks are already operational in public markets and key transport hubs like LRT and MRT stations in Metro Manila, and plans are underway to extend their presence to other regions.
The launch of Sulit and Nutri Rice, alongside expanding the Rice for All program, underscores the DA’s commitment to ensuring food security and affordability for all Filipinos. With the introduction of innovative rice options and robust funding, the DA aims to alleviate the burden of high food costs while promoting better nutrition across the country.
As Secretary Tiu Laurel aptly put it, “This is not just about selling rice—it’s about providing every Filipino with access to affordable, healthier, and sustainable food choices.”