CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) — As the Marcos Administration is looking for solutions to curb the problem on rice supply, the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) in Isabela has shown to farmers from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley its scientific production and processes of various rice varieties during the three-day 2023 Lakbay Palay held in San Mateo town last week.

The featuring of various rice varieties and their scientific production processes was lauded by the farmers, who expressed interest in using the technology being introduced by the agency.

Foremost among the presented rice varieties is the new “malusog” type, which is expected to be cultivated by farmers soon.

“Malusog Rice, a new rice variety developed by the DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has gained prominence for its enhanced nutritional value made through modern biotechnology,” Joy Bartolome Duldulao, OIC PhilRice-Isabela Branch Director, explained.

According to Duldulao, the malusog rice has a significant amount of beta carotene in its grains, which when regularly consumed as a staple, can provide at least 30 percent of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A, making it an ideal choice for inclusion in programs focused on better nutrition and food security.

Apart from the malusog rice, other varieties featured by the PhilRice during the activity were those that are drought-resistant, which can be considered crucial since the Cagayan Valley is a primary producer of rice.

The Lakbay Palay is a regular activity of the agency that is aimed at showcasing to farmers the different technologies in rice production processes, including pest management that can be applied to increase production, and the possible utilization of technology to reach better yield that would ultimately help the government in stabilizing rice sufficiency and supply.

According to Duldulao, the PhilRice is one of the agencies involved in the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to boost rice production in the country using technologies that will increase rice yield.

Duldulao added that various other trainings are continuously being conducted by the PhilRice-Isabela to rice farmers from CAR and Cagayan Valley Region, which are in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute, and have the same goal of sharing new technologies in rice farming in order to increase production. (MGE/PIA Isabela)