Pilot deployment of beta carotene-enriched rice (Golden Rice) in the Philippines

Golden Rice, registered as Malusog Rice in the Philippines, is a biofortified rice containing beta carotene in its grains to address vitamin A deficiency (VAD), a prevalent public health problem. It can provide 30-50% of the estimated average requirement for vitamin A. Its commercial approval in July 2021 led to a pilot-scale deployment in selected high VAD prevalent areas. From 2022 wet cropping season to 2023 wet cropping season, it was cultivated on 202 hectares across 24 provinces in the country, demonstrating significant field performance comparable to that of other rice varieties. It gained an average yield of 3.9t/ha and a maximum yield of 8.3t/ha. Over 77 tons of Malusog Rice were distributed to its target VAD beneficiaries, while eight tons were allocated for market testing. Survey results show that 97% of the target VAD beneficiaries expressed their desire to include Malusog Rice in their diet when it becomes widely available. Moreover, market testing indicates that Malusog Rice was found to be a marketable product, with a price comparable to regular/well-milled rice. The milestone approval and deployment of Malusog Rice in the Philippines position the country as a global leader in agricultural biotechnology, being the first to approve and deploy genetically engineered rice with nutritional benefits.