The Golden Rice research is fueled by the passion to help millions of children and pregnant and nursing mothers who are suffering from vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a very pervasive and persistent public health problem in the country. The 2013 Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) survey reported that there are 2.1 million vitamin A deficient children (ages 6 months to 5 years old) in the Philippines. This figure is […]

The PhilRice community deeply mourns the passing away of Dr. Gelia Tagumpay Castillo, 89, National Scientist and longest-serving trustee of the Institute. She succumbed to acute respiratory failure on August 5. Her ashes now rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Ma’am Gelia dedicated her life to the service of Filipino farmers as a rural sociologist. She was in the Board of Trustees of PhilRice since December 1986 and served […]

The country’s rice consumption may have slightly decreased, but rice wastage remains literally on the plate of millions of Filipinos. The Be RICEponsible Campaign of the Department of Agriculture-PhilRice has been urging rice consumers to watch their intake not only for better health, but also to prevent rice wastage. This was after the release of the 2016 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority citing an average individual wastage of around […]

Products of modern biotechnology all went through rigorous research and assessment to ensure they are safe before they reach the consumers. In March 2016, the Joint Department Circular No.1 series of 2016 titled Rules and Regulations for the Research and Development, Handling and Use, Transboundary Movement, Release into the Environment, and Management of Genetically-Modified Plant and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology was issued. This regulation governs […]

In a country where nutritious fruits and vegetables are abundant, you may think that health could never go wrong. Contrary to this belief, malnutrition has taken its roots in this land, where agriculture is the bread and butter. Micronutrient deficiency or hidden hunger is among these. This form of malnutrition is asymptomatic －you will not know that you have it until it manifests through other forms of diseases or ailments […]

There is a peculiar reason why the Rose Kambingan Kainan in Sapang, Jaen, Nueva Ecija is a long-time favorite of its loyal customers. Aside from their delectable goat meat-based dishes, the humble restaurant is known for serving the best variety of rice – soft, white, and steamy. In a day, the restaurant cooks 25kg of rice from 7AM to 8PM. Cashier Epifania Ramos identifies NSIC Rc160 and Rc218 rices as […]

Let’s begin by imagining a Filipino father of three eating a riceless meal. He desperately realizes that rice has become so near yet so far, as though rice were only for the rich. His wife reiterates to him that their remaining money isn’t for rice alone. He finishes his fourth boiled banana. Meal over. At least, he saw his wife and kids enjoy the available “lugaw.” Now, back to reality. […]