The second planting of Malusog Rice, which took place this 2023 dry cropping season, posted a new record for highest yield at 8.3t/ha. Measured at 14% moisture content, the harvest produced in Ilagan, Isabela bested last season’s 7.8t/ha in Maguindanao.
As of May 31, a combined yield of 71.3 tons of fresh paddy of Malusog Rice has been harvested from this season’s production. Covering 13 hectares, the seeds were harvested from Catanduanes, Agusan Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Cagayan, Antique, Pangasinan, and Ilocos Norte. The rest of the sites will be harvested this June.
Malusog Rice is a type of rice enriched with beta carotene that can be converted into vitamin A as the body needs it.
One of the farmer-cooperators who planted Malusog Rice for the first time shared that this new type of rice is easy to grow. Expressing his support for the project, he affirmed that Malusog rice is nutritious and hoped that the project continues.
As part of the program-based deployment of Malusog Rice, local government units are enjoined to purchase the harvest, which will then be integrated into their nutrition programs.
Balungao, one of the municipalities who have committed to buy back the Malusog Rice harvest, is very supportive of the program for its benefits.
“As we see it, Malusog Rice can be a big help in providing nutritional value in the diet especially for children. This would be a great advantage if they would incorporate it in their diet,” Balungao Mayor Maria Theresa R. Peralta said.
Meanwhile, selected Business Development Divisions/Units of PhilRice branch stations will be selling milled Malusog Rice. In addition, it will be made available in select local markets as part of the program’s market-based deployment approach.
