Genetically Modified rice grains dubbed as “Golden Rice” is set to lessen cases of Vitamin A deficiency and malnutrition in a few years time.
Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Advisory Team Chairman and consultant Saturnina Halos said that with rice produce already containing vitamin A, cases of fatality due to micronutrient deficiencies will be prevented as this will boost the resistance, most especially of the children.
“The most damaging micronutrient deficiencies in the world are the consequence of low dietary intake of iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is prevalent among the poor whose diets are based mainly on rice or other carbohydrate-rich, micronutrient-poor calory sources..” According to the goldenrice.org.
It stated that Rice does not contain any β-carotene (pro-vitamin A), which our bodies could then convert into vitamin , unlike the genetically modified golden rice.
Moreover, to increase and improve our rice production in the country, Halos announced that the agency will soon be launching the “Bhungroo” project.
This project will collect the flood water from the basin-like pilot area in Mindanao and inject this into the rice field’s aquifer that will fill up over 3 million liters of water per 30 hectares.
This aims to store enough water supply for the rice fields in times of severe drought or El niño.
Bhungroo project is set to have its pilot field testing in pigcawayan, north cotabato within this year.
“There are many ways to attain food security.. however, we should also focus in creating more scientist positions” Halos concluded.
