DA-PhilRice, MAFAR introduce golden rice in the region

COTABATO CITY- The Department of Agriculture- Phillippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in convergence with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform and other attached agency, introduced the golden rice in BARMM.

During the meeting on Tuesday, May 24, MAFAR Provincial Director of Maguindanao, Ronjamin M. Maulana, Ph.D., said that initiating the golden rice in the region would greatly help the farmers and consumers.

He said that according to the DA, they are accelerating the distribution and planting of golden rice seeds in view of the approval of commercial distribution and public consumption in the Philippines.

Dr. Ronan Zagado, golden rice program leader, said Golden Rice contains beta carotene, a source of vitamin A. Since the Philippines has a high rate of deficiency of vitamin A, golden rice may provide 30-50% of vitamin A for children and pregnant/lactating mothers.

He said that DA-PhilRice and IRRI are now multiplying golden rice seeds through on-station and on-farm production for this wet cropping season and will distribute in the next cropping season in May. The seed production is to produce certified seeds by 2022-2023. 

In addition, the MAFAR will integrate the golden rice seed production and distribution in the region, identify expert seed grower partners, and set criteria for selected seed growers in the BARMM. Also, identity the best performer and the basis of production.