Biotech Updates

DA-PhilRice Names First 7 Provinces to Sow Golden Rice Seeds

June 1, 2022

The Philippine Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) announced the first seven provinces to plant Golden Rice this year. Dr. Ronan Zagado, program leader of Golden Rice, made the announcement during a meeting with rice stakeholders in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in Cotabato City.

Golden Rice is genetically engineered to provide up to 50 percent of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A in young children, the age group most susceptible to vitamin A deficiency in the Philippines. DA Bureau of Plant Industry approved the propagation of Golden Rice in the Philippines in July 2021.

The list of provinces that will plant Golden Rice this year includes Maguindanao, which has one of the highest cases of stunting among infants and children ages five years and below, which is a symptom of vitamin A deficiency. Dr. Zagado said that once there is a sufficient supply of Golden Rice, Maguindanao will be the first province to avail of its health benefits. The other provinces mentioned were Quirino, Catanduanes, Samar, Antique, Lanao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur.

Read more from DA-PhilRice and The Manila Times.


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