Malusog Rice is a unique product that embodies the marriage between agriculture and nutrition; it is a product of agricultural innovation with nutritional benefits. Support from both sectors are crucial in ensuring that Malusog Rice is able to deliver on its mission. To achieve this, the Malusog Rice Program consistently engages agriculturists, public health experts and nutritionists to keep them updated on the status of the program and to seek […]

Farmers, agricultural experts, and policymakers immersed themselves in Malusog Rice’s story at this year’s Lakbay Palay 2023 Wet Season. The event held at the Central Experiment Station and DA-PhilRice branches in Isabela and Bicol featured interactive exhibits, expert-led discussions, and hands-on experiences, all aimed at highlighting the cultivation and benefits of Malusog Rice. Farmers have recognized the potential of Malusog Rice not only in improving their own nutritional status but […]

The first registered variety of Malusog Rice, called NSIC 2022 Rc 682GR2E (also known as Malusog 1), was showcased for the first time in DA-PhilRice Midsayap’s Malusog Rice production in a farm walk conducted at Midsayap, Cotabato Province on September 19, 2023. An open forum also followed the activity. The activities were held to enhance the knowledge of the community about the features, benefits, and farming mechanics of Malusog Rice.  […]

In support of the Department of Agriculture’s Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP)’s goal to foster rice sufficiency and nutrition security, the Malusog Rice Program is collaborating with various government entities and farmer cooperatives to plan the production and marketing of Malusog Rice in the Philippines. In the province of Quirino, a total of 40 hectares of clustered farms will be planted with Malusog Rice this coming 2024 dry cropping […]

The provinces of Lanao del Norte and Dinagat Islands recently declared their support for modern agricultural biotechnology production, marketing, and consumption by signing resolutions BBE3-3442 and 266-2023, respectively. The move intends to address food insecurity and malnutrition among children aged six months to five years in both provinces. The resolution fully supports the implementation of Malusog Rice, a new type of rice genetically engineered to contain beta-carotene, a source of […]

On September 12-16, DA-PhilRice Bicol joined the 5-day trade fair in SM City Naga, Camarines Sur to promote the institute’s programs and reach out to broader audiences as part of its unwavering information dissemination campaign. The symposium and exhibitor’s day provided an opportunity to introduce the Malusog Rice Program and discuss its pilot-scale deployment, particularly in communities vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Additionally, the event aimed to promote healthier […]

Malusog Rice joined the KADIWA ng Pangulo in the province of La Union on September 18, 2023. Thirty-two kilograms of Malusog Rice was offered for sale at P 45.00 per kilogram, a price comparable to the prevailing price of well-milled rice in the region, to test the acceptability and marketability of the product. Selling the product was also requested by the organizers of the event as part of the purpose […]

In an effort to further gauge the acceptance of Malusog Rice among market retailers and consumers, the Malusog Rice Program is gearing up for another round of market testing. This initiative is set to take place in seven pilot provinces in the last quarter of 2023. Dr. Ronan G. Zagado, the lead of the Malusog Rice Program, highlighted the promising results from the initial market testing, which was conducted in […]

By Eufemio T. Rasco Understanding the science behind food is more important than ever. As the Philippines slowly loosens its COVID-19 protocols, it has become necessary to address other important issues that emerged, or were exacerbated, during our extended lockdown. This is particularly resonant for the Philippine agriculture sector, which is undergoing a shift from the perspective of its food systems. This is in part due to shifting global paradigms and commitments […]

Stakeholders favor “Golden Rice” over ordinary white rice in terms of its health benefits during the former’s ceremonial tasting, held recently in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. “It smells and tastes the same as ordinary rice, except it is colored yellow. But I will choose ‘Golden Rice’ over white rice, because it has more health benefits. Kung sana noong bata pa ako ay meron na nito, sana mas malusog pa ako,” said Agriculture […]