Ni: Noli Liwanag
KASABAY ng pagdiriwang ng National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) ngayong Nobyembre, ginanap ang Rice FIESTA (Farmers and Industry Encounter for Science and Technology Agenda) na pinamahalaan ng Central Luzon Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLAARRDEC) Region 3 ng Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), katuwang ang Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).
Ang 2 araw na okasyon ay ginanap sa PhilRice, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija na may temang “DIWANG: Makabago at Tradisyunal na Teknolohiya sa Agrikultura at Pangisdaan, Handog sa mga Pilipinong Magsasaka” na pinangunahan nina PCAARRD acting executive director Reynaldo V. Ebora; Dr. Abner Montecalvo, PhilRice deputy executive director; Pampanga State Agricultural University president Dr. Honorio Soriano Jr.; CLAARRDECdirector Fe Porciuncula; PhilRice deputy executive director Dr. Karen Barroga; PCAARRD Applied Comm. Division director Marita Carlos at Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) Dr. Rodolfo Estigoy.
Naging panauhing pandangal sina 1st District Nueva Ecija Board Member Rommel Padilla; si Joey Ayala at kanyang banda; at broadcaster Jiggy Manicad.
Ilan sa mga aktibidad sa Rice FIESTA ay sinalihan ng mga mag-aaral tulad ng Palarong Palay (Indigenous games); aRICE Statement (Fashion Show); at On the Spot Poster Making Contest (Rice Food Art).
Labindalawang mag-aaral ang sumali sa Poster Contest, kung saan kampeon si Lailah Gamboa Abila ng Juan R. Liwag Memorial High School (JRLMHS), na tumanggap ng first prize na P3,000 at certificate of merit; Second place si Benjie Iñigo na may premyong P2,000 at certificate of merit; third place si Dianne Ashley V. dela Cruz na nag-uwi ng P1,000 at certificate of merit; samantalang ang iba pa ay tumanggap ng certificate.
