‘Rice Science Museum,’ A glimpse at farming history, tradition

THE Rice Science Museum is gaining popularity as a showcase of historical and cultural transformation of rice production, technology, and practices over 2,000 years. Located at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Munoz, Nueva Ecija, the museum has been accredited as a tourism establishment by the Department of Tourism, for being a “good place to visit” with contents that are intellectually stimulating as they present rice culture, traditions, and science in a way that the public will appreciate and understand.

Launched by PhilRice in September, 2014, the museum provides a glimpse of the past when technology and life were simple. Exhibited are farm implements such as the plow and harrow, singkaw (yoke), luhung and lalu (mortar and pestle), scyths, and bangkang pangpinawa; the anatomy of a rice kernel; species in rice environment; the rice ecosystem; hybrid varieties; and a gallery of women in agriculture.

It educates the youth about farming values and influence on Philippine socioeconomic life, projecting agriculture as the backbone of the economy. It has opened three exhibits – Lovelife with Rice, Abundant Harvest, and Colors of Rice – running until February, 2016.

PhilRice partners with Museo Pambata to encourage children to build a career in agriculture. In Museo Pambata’s “Paglaki Ko, Gusto Kong Maging…” program, pupils aged eight to 12 in Metro Manila imagine themselves as future agriculturists. A youth camp last June immersed participants in events and lectures on rice culture and history.

The museum is being replicated in some provinces. A rice museum opened in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, last March 3, featuring a huge backdrop of the Ifugao rice terraces and an audiovisual presentation. Olden tools on display, mostly from the Cordilleras, are batawel, galud, panuptop, hukikud, and ganulang. A rice museum is also rising in Ligao City, Albay, a grain production center, to showcase farmers’ feats, as well as develop the city for agritourism, that will bring visitors to a working farm or any horticultural or agribusiness activity.

Local government executives, lawmakers, policy makers, youth, farmers and agriculture sectors will learn much from a museum visit, PhilRice said. Attached to Department of Agriculture, PhilRice undertakes a national rice research program, through its network of 57 agencies and 108 seed centers, to create a competitive and sustainable rice industry, improve farmers’ income and economic conditions, and expand rural opportunities.