Promoting brown rice adoption is not just about a healthier option—it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable future for Filipino agriculture.
–Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC Lead Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Agriculture Sector, together with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is advancing efforts to promote food security and sustainability through the Brown Rice/Single-Pass Rice Initiative and the Half-Cup Rice Initiative. These programs, discussed during the 8th PSAC meeting in Malacañang, focus on reducing rice waste, encouraging healthier consumption habits, and improving the nation’s rice self-sufficiency, last November 20.
PSAC Lead Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz emphasized the importance of these initiatives. “These efforts go beyond just addressing food security. They represent a meaningful step toward sustainability, healthier living, and making more efficient use of our resources. By increasing awareness of brown rice’s benefits and addressing rice wastage through the Half-Cup Rice Initiative, we can collectively create impactful change.”
The Brown Rice Initiative aims to position brown rice as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to white rice. With its nutritional advantages, higher milling recovery, and lower production costs, brown rice has the potential to increase the country’s rice self-sufficiency from 80% to 90%. “Promoting brown rice adoption is not just about a healthier option—it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable future for Filipino agriculture,” said Aboitiz.
The Half-Cup Rice Initiative seeks to reduce rice waste by piloting smaller portions in government institutions and encouraging responsible consumption through public campaigns. Sabin Aboitiz remarked: “Simple changes, like serving half-cup portions, can have a profound impact. By reducing rice waste, we can save enough rice to feed millions of Filipinos and optimize our resources more effectively.”
Both initiatives emphasize collaboration among government agencies, private sector leaders, and local communities. “Our approach is clear: we work together as a nation. These programs are a testament to the strength of private-public collaboration, and I’m optimistic that these efforts will deliver meaningful results,” Aboitiz added.
Through these initiatives, the government and private sector aim to address critical food security and sustainability challenges, ensuring long-term benefits for Filipino communities.
