Gamu, Isabela – Cagayan Valley is leading the technology demonstration for PSB Rc 86, a health-enhancing rice variety, which recorded yield ranging 5.5-6.4t/ha, as demonstrated during its first harvest here, July 24.
PSB Rc 86, a variety developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) initially for saline conditions, has a glycemic index (GI) of 51.1, categorizing it as low-GI that is beneficial for managing diabetes.
Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that in 2024, diabetes mellitus was the fifth top cause of mortality among Filipinos, accounting for 21,736 deaths.
Meanwhile, two out of every 10 Filipino adults aged 20-59 years are prediabetic based on the 2023 National Nutrition Survey by the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute.
Farmer Reymel Linda said the variety was planted on April 24 by 27 members of the Baru a Langa ti Mannalon Agriculture Cooperative, covering 23.9 hectares in Gamu, Isabela. Encouraged by the high yield, Linda said they are eager to continue planting the variety.
Taste-testers also described the rice as “delicious, filling, and satisfying,” and viewed it as a healthier alternative to regular white rice.
Mayor Xian-Al Galanze said that if the positive results are sustained, the variety could become the municipality’s flagship agricultural product.
Senior agriculturist Jaylord Bagasin of Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office II (DA-RFO II) reported that the cooperative will buy the harvested low-GI rice from the farmers at P18/kg, depending on moisture content, with additional P2/kg as production incentive. Once milled and classified, DA through the Rice-for-All program will purchase the low-GI rice.
While extreme weather continues to threaten agriculture across the country, experts emphasize the need to promote rice varieties that are not only resilient but also contribute to better health outcomes.
“As typhoon threats become increasingly frequent, it’s crucial to produce rice varieties that not only withstand challenging conditions but also contribute to public health,” Christopher Cabusora, project lead and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) senior plant breeder said.
With funding from DA-National Rice Program, DA-RFO II leads the techno demo implementation; IRRI provides technical assistance and capacity building of farmers on best management practices; PhilRice handles the seed multiplication effort and provides rice production guidance; while Agricultural Training Institute trains farmer-cooperators on seed production.
“We thank our farmers for their continued partnership and encourage them to keep supporting DA initiatives like the Low-GI Rice Project, which not only contributes to our nation’s food security goals but also promotes better nutrition for all Filipinos,” said DA-RFO II Regional Executive Director Rose Mary Aquino.
