The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved the commercial propagation of golden rice after an extensive study by various government agencies, a ranking official of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) 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-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) director George Y. Culaste on July 21 after the research conducted by the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the Department of the Interior at Local Government, in accordance of Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016.
In a statement, de Leon said the development of golden rice is seen to address the recurring vitamin A deficiency among Filipinos.
He said 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 (This helps for clear vision, strong body against infection and proper growth. When lacking vitamin A, it will lead to condition on what we called is vitamin A deficiency (VAD). If it happened, the resistance will weaken, become sickly and might cause blindness if not immediately treated),” de Leon said.
Citing a study, he said only two of 10 Filipino families have enough vitamins and a cup of golden rice can give as much as 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 (This commercial propagation permit of the Golden Rice could be considered a success not only for researchers behind it, but especially to the Filipinos that need sufficient nutrition),” the PhilRice official added.
Source: Philippines News Agency
