Rice Science Museum teaches youth about agri

FILE: Farmers planting rice in the field (Photo courtesy of the Department of Agriculture)

SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ , Nueva Ecija — The Rice Science Museum of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) has opened a new exhibit that attempts to engage the youth to become agriculture advocates.

Dr. Diadem Gonzales-Esmero, museum curator, said in an interview Friday that through the exhibit, the youth can experience scientists’ workplay through puzzles, learn about rice growing, and listen to stories that can motivate them to finish their food, especially rice.

Esmero also said that children can familiarize themselves with biodiversity and the interaction among vegetables, rice, and insects in the field.

“We have 30 million young people. Contrast that to the aging population of farmers, which averages at 55 years old. For this exhibit, we are educating the children about their role on ensuring food security,” she said.

Although the ongoing exhibit, which opened last week, is more focused on the children, the general audience, especially the farmers, will not feel alienated, according to Esmero.

“They will learn about the healthy forms of rice and climate change-ready rice varieties. We also have a corner where they can read and watch about the latest practices and technologies on rice production,” she said.

Titled “Wonderful World of Rice”, this fifth exhibit also showcases rice arts and artifacts to promote the culture and heritage of rice farming.

Previous exhibits featured rice farming history focusing on Ifugao collections; traditional and modern rice farming practices; colored rice varieties; the colorful Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon; and the social and technological history of rice. (PNA)