TAGAYTAY, Batangas – The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), is set to intensify the information campaign on the Golden Rice. The move was set in motion during the Golden Rice Program Communication Planning Workshop held at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) on August 8-10, 2022.

Most of the participants were Information Officers (IOs) from DA-Regional Field Offices, PhilRice, ATI Regional Training Centers, and Provincial Local Government Units (PLGUs).

The Golden Rice Program was established to introduce the said variety to farmers and to help address vitamin A deficiency (VAD). For every cup of Golden Rice contains 30-50% of vitamin A needed by children aged 5 years and below, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. It causes no overdose or toxicity to humans because any excess amount will be eliminated through body wastes.

Although the Golden Rice is genetically engineered but the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) declared it as “safe as ordinary rice.” It has undergone careful study by experts in science and has passed tests conducted by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Health Canada, and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

During the activity, there were several topics discussed such as Program-wide Communication Strategies, Messaging Workshop and FAQs, Communication Toolkits and Social Media, and Highlights of Baseline KAP Study.