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posted at
http://www.foodrecap.net/harvest/nfa-rice-storage-poor/ May 19, 2011
The National Food Authority (Philippines) rice in Bulacan Warehouse is being
infested by bukbok and
molds. A concerned farmer reported it to GMA7 24 oras. Other NFA warehouses
in Bulacan have the same problem. Those are stocks that were imported from
Vietnam during the leadership of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
NFA
stated that rice could not be sold readily. Buffer stock should always be
available. It is needed in time of crisis or the lean months. Management is
calling the attention of public to give information about any NFA warehouses
which have rice spoilage.

The
stored rice are buffer stock. Then why are they letting the bukbok and
mold grow in rice? Are they going to feed the masses with bukbukin
and amaging bigas?
I bet NFA officials are not even eating NFA rice.
Why are
they calling to the public? The central office should be monitoring all the
warehouses. Aren’t they have enough personnel to this or they never want to
do this at all?
Ninety
thousands rice sacks are stored in Quezon city warehouse – imported last
year. Fifty percent of the rice are infested by pest – bukbok.
Those infested sacks are separated and fumigated. Fumigation kills the bukbok and
the rice can be served again (an investigation done by GMA7 news team).
Grains
are fumigated to prevent and kill pest. A single fumigation is not okay for
me cause they are imparting toxic chemicals to food. One is bad already, a
repetition is worse. Besides the effects of mold could not be removed by
fumigation.
Another
200 thousand metric tons of rice is about to arrived this June. This will
also be a part of buffer stocks. Hmm… buffer stocks for bukbok and amag!
Proper
storing and handling will prevent molds and bukbok,
but they never know to do it properly. |