May 24, 2022. Cotabato City. NNC BARMM Program Coordinator Dr. Kadil M. Sinolinding Jr. joined the launching of Beta Carotene-Rich Rice organized by Philippine-Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to aid in the combat against Vitamin A Deficiency named GOLDEN RICE.

The meeting was facilitated by Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice) headed by Dr. Ronan Zagado the Golden Rice Program Coordinator with Aileen Garcia, Ellen Villate, and Raul Buncodin of International Rice Research Institute (IIRI). Present also were representatives from Ministry of Health , Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform, Bangsamoro Information Office, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, National Nutrition Council BARMM and the National Food Authority.

According to PhilRice, the Golden rice is safe, halal certified and affordable rice with high content of Beta Carotene, also known as vitamin A. It is yellow in color attributed to its beta carotene content. The rice is being prepared for mass production among our rice growers and producers in the province of Maguindanao where it is identified as the initial pilot area for implementation.

Golden Rice seeds will be distributed for commercial planting at the farmer level when supply becomes available from the initial harvests.

Author: NO I Raihana L. Dimapinggun