The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines is gearing up to launch two new types of rice, ‘Sulit’ and ‘Nutri’, in 2025, aiming to provide Filipinos with more affordable and healthier options. These varieties will be available at Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) stores, making them accessible to a broader audience.
‘Sulit’ rice, made from 100% broken but high-quality imported rice, will be priced between PHP35 to PHP36 per kilogram. ‘Nutri’ rice, which is a blend that is neither fully white nor brown, will be sold at PHP36 to PHP37 per kilogram. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasized that while the ‘Sulit’ rice is currently imported, the department is open to sourcing locally if possible.
Secretary Tiu Laurel also shared his personal experience with ‘Nutri’ rice, noting its health benefits, particularly for managing diabetes. He mentioned that the rice helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and is more filling than traditional rice. The ‘Nutri’ rice undergoes a single-pass milling process, which preserves essential nutrients and fiber, unlike the typical three-pass milling that strips these elements away.
The DA plans to start selling ‘Sulit’ rice in January 2025 and ‘Nutri’ rice by mid-2025. Additionally, the department has secured a PHP5 billion fund to support the KNP initiative, which includes the ‘Rice for All’ program. This program aims to offer rice at PHP29 per kilogram to vulnerable sectors, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities.
The DA also plans to expand the KNP network, targeting 170 centers and kiosks by the end of 2024, 300 by mid-2025, and 1,500 before the end of President Marcos’s term. Some KNP outlets are already operational in public markets and transport stations in Metro Manila.