QUEZON CITY, (PIA)-- The Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) formally launched the celebration of the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) and Organic Agriculture (OA) Month on Monday.

The Opening Program for the month-long celebrations started with the Be RICEponsible pledge.

The “Be RICEponsible” is a campaign that aims to encourage farmers, policy-makers, and the public to be RICEponsible in their own ways.

An exhibit of products was also showcased in the ATI lobby. These include rice and rice-based products along with organic agriculture products, among others.

Proclamation No. 524, s. 2004 declares the month of November as the National Rice Awareness Month, which has been implemented annually to heighten public awareness on rice to address issues related to malnutrition and poverty, and attainment of self-sufficiency.

Meanwhile, the organic agriculture month celebration aims to promote organic agriculture by focusing national attention on the importance of organic agriculture in enhancing global competitiveness and environmental integrity, increasing food security and safety, and alleviating poverty as per the Proclamation No. 1030, series of 2015. (ati/pia-ncr)