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.
The said activity was attended by 50 farmers from nearby municipalities and mayors from the Local Government Units of Midsayap and Libungan namely, Hon. Rolando C. Sacdalan and Hon. Angel Rose L. Cuan, respectively.
Present also in support were stakeholders from various government offices led by National Food Authority 12 Regional Director, Allan Joseph Abapo; Bureau of Plant Industry-National Seed Quality Control Services 12 Center Chief, Omara M. Kempa; and National Irrigation Administration-LIBRIS Acting Assistant Chief, Engr. Abduladsis Kanakan.
Cotabato Province Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza also expressed her support through the Provincial Advisory Council Member, Judge Lily Lydia A. Laquindanum. In her message of support, she said “I urge PhilRice to disseminate this new innovation in rice production to our farmers in order that they will be convinced to propagate the same, thus making Malusog Rice available for consumption by the public.”
This activity is part of the deployment strategies for Malusog Rice following the Department of Agriculture Memorandum Order No. 19, Series of 2022, regarding the “Operational Support to Golden Rice Production and Distribution.”
Kristian Mae P. Gutierrez, DA-PhilRice Midsayap
