SCIENCE CITY OF MUÑOZ – The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry has issued the go signal for commercial propagation of golden rice after an extensive study of different government agencies, a ranking official of the Philippine Rice Research Institute said on Friday.
Dr. John C. De Leon, executive director of DA-PhilRice, said the permit for commercial propagation of the so-called “golden rice” was signed by DA-BPI director George Y. Culaste on July 21, 2021 after the research conducted by the DA, the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the Department of Interior and Local Government, in accordance with Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016.
De Leon said that the development of golden rice is seen to address the recurring Vitamin A deficiency among Filipinos. According to PhilRice, golden rice contains beta carotene that makes Vitamin A for the body.
“Makatutulong ito para sa malinaw na paningin, malakas na pangangatawan laban sa impeksyon, at tamang paglaki. Kapag kulang sa Vitamin A, humahantong ito sa kondisyon na kung tawagin ay Vitamin A Deficiency o VAD. Kapag nangyari ito, humihina ang resistensya, nagiging sakitin, at maaaring maging sanhi ng pagkabulag kung hindi maaagapan,” the PhilRice explained.
A study, it added, showed that only two of 10 Filipino families have enough Vitamin A. It added that a cup of golden rice can give as much 40 percent of Vitamin A which is very essential for children aged six months to five years.
“Maituturing na isang tagumpay itong commercial propagation permit ng golden rice hindi lamang para sa mga mananaliksik sa likod nito, kundi lalo’t-higit sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan ng sapat na nutrisyon,” the PhilRice added.
“Ngayong may permit na ang golden rice, maaari nang umpisahan ng DA-PhilRice ang pagpaparami ng mga binhi nito. Uumpisahan ang pamamahagi ng binhi sa mga piling lugar kung saan may mataas na insidente ng malnutrisyon. Kalaunan ay magbabalangkas ng isang maayos na programa sa pagdedeploy ng golden rice sa mga lugar na higit na nangangailangan nito,” the government’s prime rice research agency said.
