Golden Rice E-Newsletter
December 2022 | Issue No. 12 of 2022
This newsletter is intended to keep our partners and stakeholders updated on the latest activities and news about the development and deployment of Golden Rice in the Philippines.
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Malusog Rice showcased at 18th NBW
The Golden Rice Program joined the celebration of the annual National Biotechnology Week (NBW) with an exhibit showcase at the Philippine Trade and Training Center (PTTC), Pasay City Metro Manila, on November 21-25, 2022.
Hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this year’s theme, “Responding to Challenges: Business Opportunities in Biotechnology,” puts the spotlight on biotechnology in the market.
In his remarks during the opening ceremony, DTI Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual highlighted biotechnology as a tool for agricultural productivity and food security.
“We at DTI regard modern biotechnology as a vital tool to achieve the primary agenda of this new administration. Effectively harnessing biotechnology will increase our agricultural productivity, allow us to achieve food security, and moralize our industry and services sector.” Sec. Pascual said.
Sec. Pascual also recognized the latest milestones of Philippine agricultural biotechnology.
“Recently, the Philippines earned the badge of regional biotechnology leader with the passage in 2021 of Golden Rice for commercial propagation and Bt Eggplant for direct use,” DTI secretary Pascual said.
Malusog Rice (Golden Rice) was showcased at the booth of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Department of Agriculture Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) as they highlighted the pilot-scale deployment efforts in the country. Trivia games added fun to the information exchange at the booth. Limited free taste testing of cooked Golden Rice was also conducted on the 1st day.
Technical fora, webinars on modern biotechnology application, exhibits, presentations on biotech market outlook, career talk, and recognition of people behind recent biotech breakthroughs in the Philippines were among the activities in the week-long celebration.
Watch the opening ceremony here.
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First Malusog Rice Harvest
served during NBW
As part of the 18th National Biotechnology Week (NBW) celebration, a portion of the first harvest of Golden Rice was served at the event “Unang Ani ng Golden Rice: Isang Pasasalamat.” Held on November 24, 2022, the recognition event was held to thank the farmers, partners, and stakeholders for the success of its first farm-level production in selected areas across the country.
The event also marked the naming shift from Golden Rice to Malusog Rice, which is named after its first registered variety in the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) as Malusog 1 or NSIC 2022 Rc 682GR2E.
The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), in collaboration with partner agencies, are currently multiplying the seeds for commercial production.
The current supply from the first harvest will be used for promotion and initial distribution of Malusog Rice in provinces with high incidence of malnutrition, especially vitamin A deficiency. Malusog Rice is expected to be commercialized at the latter part of 2024 once more supply becomes available.
Stakeholders expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the program and farmers who worked hard for this milestone.
“We hope that Golden Rice could be the other solution towards its sustainability and continuous declining of vitamin A deficiency.” former DOST-FNRI Director Dr. Mario Capanzana said.
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Bukidnon agri-fisheries council passes resolution in support of biotech crops
The Provincial Agri-Fisheries Council (PAFC) of Bukidnon unanimously passed a resolution supporting the cultivation and consumption of Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant in the province.
In a meeting held on November 29, 2022 at the DA Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) in Malaybalay, the PAFC cited that Golden Rice can be integrated in agricultural and nutrition programs of the province. Bt Eggplant, on the other hand, can help improve farmer incomes.
Regional AFC Chair for Northern Mindanao Mr. Rey Cabanao said that they hope Golden Rice can also be cultivated in Bukidnon to provide an opportunity for the vitamin A-at-risk population to access it.
Following the registration of its first variety, Malusog 1 or NSIC 2022 Rc 682GR2E, with the NSIC, Golden Rice is now called Malusog Rice in the Philippines.
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Malusog Rice featured in
“Golden Breakfast” cookfest
A total of 60 women-participants from 15 barangays of San Mateo, Isabela competed in the National Rice Awareness Month (NRAM) Cookfest dubbed as “Golden Breakfast” on November 18, 2022 at the Gov. Faustino N. Dy Multi-Purpose Center.
Five qualifiers from the Rural Improvement Clubs (RIC) of Salinungan West, Mapuroc, Victoria, Sinamar Norte, and Marasat Pequeño met again on November 23, 2022 at the Banchetto di Riso, DA-PhilRice , Isabela station for the final round. They prepared a breakfast meal with Malusog Rice (Golden Rice) as the main ingredient, while considering its acceptability as a nutritious, flavorful, and affordable meal for Filipino kids.
Malusog Rice is intended as a complementary intervention to improve the vitamin A intake of communities at-risk of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), such as young children and pregnant and lactating mothers.
Other RIC members from the preliminary round also joined in to show their support to the remaining qualifiers. After an hour of deliberation, Joy Bartolome A. Duldulao, acting branch director of PhilRice Isabela and project area coordinator of the Golden Rice project, announced the winners. Marasat Pequeño’s Malusog 1 Chao Fan and Chicken Nuggets was declared the winner.
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Golden Rice Program shares its pilot-scale deployment journey in Agribiotalk 2022
The role of communication and policy advocacy in the pilot-scale deployment of the Golden Rice Program was highlighted during the UP Genetic Researchers and Agricultural Innovators Society’s (UPGRAINS) Agribiotalk webinar on November 26, 2022 via Zoom. Ms. Gladys May G. Cristobal, stakeholder engagement officer of the Golden Rice Program Management Office (GR-PMO), shared the importance of creating an enabling environment and engaging the key stakeholders through establishing and building relationships to ensure the support among pilot communities.
Agribiotalk is one of the key events of UPGRAINS’ annual Biotechnology Appreciation Week, held simultaneously with National Biotechnology Week. This year’s theme was ALAYA: Bioteknolohiya para sa Malayang Agrikultura, Susulong sa Industriyalisasyong Pambansa.
The event was attended by various students from the partner student organizations of UPGRAINS and UP Los Baños. The students and even the academe expressed their excitement and were looking forward to the day when Malusog Rice reaches the market and the tables of every Filipino.
View the webinar recording here.
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Malusog Rice distributed in Catanduanes
With the approval of all biosafety regulatory requirements of Malusog Rice for its commercial distribution and public consumption towards a healthier nation, the DA-PhilRice Bicol and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), together with its local government partners, organized the Unang Ani ng Golden Rice: Isang Pasasalamat, Distribution of Malusog Rice in the Province of Catanduanes.
The activity commenced simultaneously on December 5, 2022, in Virac and Viga, Catanduanes, which was attended by provincial and municipal agriculturists, local government officials and health officers, farmer cooperators, and other implementing/partner agencies. The program included highlights and information dissemination on the pilot-scale deployment of Malusog Rice in the Province, testimonials from farmer cooperators and distribution of milled Malusog Rice to the identified household beneficiaries.
Viga Mayor Emeterio Tarin sent his thanks for having their municipality as one of the pilot areas. “Our mayor is grateful to PhilRice who brought and introduced Golden Rice here in our municipality for all of us to truly recognize its healthier benefits, “ said representative Mr. Rogelio Manlangit.
In Virac, Provincial Agriculturist Ms. Nelia Teves acknowledged the success of the pilot-scale deployment in the province and expressed their full support for the implementation of the Golden Rice program. Ms. Teves cited the importance of feedback encouraged the participants to share their experience on cooking and eating Malusog Rice to help improve the implementation of the program.
Three (3) hectares of Malusog Rice were planted for Wet Season 2022 in the municipalities of Virac and Viga and harvested in October.
Farmer cooperators are also proud of their experience in planting and growing the Malusog Rice. “It was truly a good journey experiencing the planting of Malusog Rice. I learned many new useful practices, and the local government unit was easy to coordinate with to give us all the help that we need,” a farmer cooperator said.
“The members of our farmers association are also interested now to plant Malusog Rice because they saw the proof of excellent results under my care,” the farmer added.
Furthermore, testimonials were shared by the beneficiaries themselves. When asked about their impression on the taste and eating habit of the Malusog Rice, Cecile Ibayan from Barangay Buyo, Virac, said that “It was not difficult for me to feed my children the Malusog Rice because they really liked it, and I am satisfied because it is more nutritious. I approve of the Malusog Rice!”–Azryl May Jimenez
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Malusog Rice featured in 14th SyenSaya Wonderama virtual exhibit
The Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc. (LBSCFI) celebrated National Science and Technology Week through SyenSaya, the annual Los Baños Science Festival on December 5-7, 2022. IRRI, as part of the LBSCFI, participated with a feature on Malusog Rice (Golden Rice) in the festival’s Wonderama virtual exhibit, which highlighted science discoveries and latest research breakthroughs to enhance awareness about science and how it works for the improvement of the quality of life.
The Malusog Rice exhibit showcased the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement, and policy advocacy in developing the pilot scale deployment for this beta-carotene enriched rice.
The Wonderama virtual exhibit can be accessed here.
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6th ICropS Anniversary promotes
Malusog Rice
An exhibit featuring Malusog Rice was held during the 6th ICropS Anniversary Week with the theme Re-Imagining Agriculture: Linking our Farmers to Technologies and Industry for a better future on December 12-16, 2022 at University of the Philippines College of Agriculture and Food Science Institute of Crop Science.
Ted talks, Research Conference, Stakeholders Meeting, and Alumni Symposium Culmination Program were the activities for a long-week celebration.
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Malusog Rice headlines DA-PhilRice Los Baños Lifelong Learning Series
Join Ronalyn Miranda, senior science research specialist of the varietal improvement component of Golden Rice Program, as she shares insights from the first planting season of Malusog Rice in the December session of the Lifelong Learning Series hosted by DA-PhilRice Los Baños on December 19, 2022, 130 pm via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Pre-register for the event here.
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Golden Rice National News
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Golden Rice Program Updates
as of December 2022
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FAQs feature of the month
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