Local executives of Calbiga and Basey in Samar expressed support to the Golden Rice Program being implemented in their municipalities during its Ceremonial Tasting and Stakeholders’ Field Day, Oct. 4-6.
“The program is beneficial; let’s treasure it,” said Mayor Red Nacario of Calbiga.
Meanwhile, Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada is hopeful that the program will help address malnutrition in the country.
For this year’s wet season, Golden Rice was established in 2.5ha for seed production in Basey and Catarman and in 2.5ha for grain production in Calbiga.
The betacarotene-enriched Golden Rice, which can provide 30-50% of the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) of vitamin A for young children and pregnant and lactating women, was approved for commercial propagation in the Philippines in July 2021.
Golden Rice is registered with the National Seed Industry Council as NSIC 2022 Rc 682 GR2E or Malusog-1.
