SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) - - The genetically engineered Golden Rice will contribute to the solution of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in humans, especially children and mothers, according to the Department of Agriculture - Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice).

Ms. Ellen Villate, nutrition adviser of the Golden Rice Program of the DA-PhilRice, said that Golden Rice will complement existing nutrition interventions by the government such as vitamin A supplementation, promotion of breastfeeding practices, food fortification, nutrition education, and diet diversification.

Golden Rice is similar to ordinary rice but enriched with beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A as needed. VAD is a leading cause of preventable blindness, and contributes to stunting and malnutrition, among children five years old and below. It also weakens the body’s resistance to diseases and infections, and may even result in death if it is untreated.

According to the 2018-2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey of the Department of Science and Technology – Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), VAD incidence in the country continues to be a significant public health nutrition problem, affecting nearly 15.5 percent, or about 2 million Filipino children under the age of five. It was reported that around one in five children from the poorest communities in the Philippines suffers from VAD, which affects an estimated 190 million children worldwide.

A study by the DOST-FNRI shows that one cup of cooked Golden Rice can provide 30 to 50 percent of the estimated average requirement (EAR) of vitamin A for preschoolers and pregnant and lactating mothers. As such, Golden Rice can help fill the gap of vitamin A insufficiency in the diet, notes Villate.

The Golden Rice Program, in collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), recently started initial seed production and pilot-scale deployment of Golden Rice in the different areas in the country following the release of its biosafety permit for the commercial propagation last July 2021.

Golden Rice was recently registered by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) as a new variety named NSIC 2022 Rc 682GRE or Malusog 1. It has an expected yield of 5 tons per hectare depending on area and season.

In Region 1, the pilot areas for the Golden Rice production are located in Piddig, Dingras and City of Batac, all in Ilocos Norte; and Urdaneta City, Manaoag, Mangatarem, Aguilar, and Balungao, all in Pangasinan. (JCR/FGL,PIA 1)