Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija – About 40 media practitioners from Central Luzon convened at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station based in this city to learn the latest information on the healthier rice project, January 9.
PhilRice Development Communication (DevCom) Division, in coordination with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), organized the “Media Dialogue: Making Rice Healthier” to enlighten the media about the nutrition situation in the country and share updates about the Healthier Rice Project and other nutrition-related initiatives at PhilRice.
“We recognize that educating the media about healthier rice and nutrition is crucial to their role as information agents and sources of fair and factual information on matters related to rice security, nutrition, and health,” stated Dr. Ronan G. Zagado, head of PhilRice DevCom Division.
In the dialogue, the experts emphasized the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in the country, how the healthier rice project could help address it, and how to communicate science. Media practitioners were also given the chance to ask questions and share their insights about Golden Rice during the open forum.
Golden Rice was particularly highlighted in the discussion as a complementary food-based solution to address vitamin A deficiency. According to Dr. Reynante Ordonio, PhilRice Healthier Rice project leader, golden rice contains beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A upon consumption or as needed by the body.
In 2018, several international regulatory agencies have attested that Golden Rice is safe and nutritious as ordinary rice. Global organizations and various stakeholders in the country have also expressed their full support for the continuation of the project.
Ordonio added that PhilIRice together with its partner-agencies, such as the International Rice Research Institute, remain committed to develop Golden Rice as one of the healthier rice varieties and to make safe and nutritious rice available, affordable, and accessible to all Filipinos at all times.”
For more updates about the golden rice, you may visit the PhilRice website at www.philrice.gov.ph/golden-rice, or follow us on FB (golden.rice).
