Conclusion
Oryza: Would there be any difference between producing Golden Rice and normal rice in terms of water, fertilizers, harvesting and post-harvesting methods? What would be the cost differences between producing the two types of rice?
Dr. Antonio Alfonso: Golden Rice for the Philippines is being developed so that it will grow in the field like ordinary rice. However, we need to study further the handling and storage to minimize or prevent the loss of beta-Carotene in the grains.
You are ardently trying to popularize Golden Rice among farmers and consumers. But some opponents of Golden Rice say its commercialization will only benefit private seed companies that own patents to the development of Golden Rice. Are you confident that these companies would allow farmers to freely develop Golden Rice?
Golden Rice is being developed by scientists from the public sector using public funds. Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is working with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to develop Golden Rice on a “nonprofit basis.” All intellectual property rights of the Golden Rice have been given free of charge to the public sector for humanitarian purposes. It means that, if Golden Rice is approved, it can be made available to developing countries and resource-poor farmers “without additional cost.”
In other words, Golden Rice is expected to cost as much as regular rice. Farmers can also store and reuse harvested Golden Rice grains, thus, they will no longer need to buy new seeds every planting season.
What methods are you adopting to educate farmers and consumers about the benefits of Golden Rice? How are you precisely trying to remove the fear inculcated by the environmentalists in them?
It helps that farmers have high regard for PhilRice and the public knows that we are here to help improve farmers’ welfare and also to help address poverty and malnutrition. We do not resort to violence or fear speculation to get our message across. We give them science-based information and we reach out to farmers and our other stakeholders through seminars, media, by participating in exhibits and as requested. We also maintain a web site, which the public may visit anytime for updates about the project or they may also send their queries through our PhilRice text center (0920-911-1398).
What is the response of farmers and consumers to your campaign? Are you confident that farmers would adopt Golden Rice production on a large scale? How long would it take to reach this status?
It is more of an information drive than a campaign, and the farmers and consumers we have met are generally enthusiastic about Golden Rice, particularly because of its nutritional advantage. Studies also indicate that they are willing to plant Golden Rice. But, the decision to adopt and eat Golden Rice is really with the farmers and consumers.
Who are supporting you in this project? How are you planning to promote the results of your Golden Rice tests internationally?
PhilRice collaborates with IRRI, research institutions belonging to the Golden Rice Network and the Golden Rice Humanitarian Board. It is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Philippine Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program. This information is posted in the Golden Rice web sites of PhilRice and IRRI. The Golden Rice that is being developed in the Philippines is intended only for local production and consumption.
Recently the Chinese government also denied safety certificates to two genetically modified rice varieties, creating a blow to the development and commercialization of Golden Rice in China. Similarly some activists are opposing field trials in India. What are your comments?
We are aware that each country and individuals have varying stand on genetic modification. It is obviously the reason each country has its own distinct regulatory policies. The same reason applies why there are certain groups and individuals who oppose Golden Rice. As a science institution, our decision should be science-based and that’s why we are conducting this research. But I believe that a bigger proportion of the population, especially those who will use the product, either have favorable or neutral view about the technology.
Do you believe that Golden Rice, if it crosses all hurdles, will be an affordable source to prevent vitamin A deficiency, especially in African countries where lots of children suffer from malnutrition? How are you planning to help such people get access to Golden Rice?
At this point, the data generated by the project show that Golden Rice could be a safe, effective and sustainable complementary means of addressing vitamin A deficiency. As mentioned earlier, the Golden Rice variety being developed in the Philippines will only be produced and consumed locally. But our success on this project could be an inspiration for other countries to develop the same technology that could benefit their people.
Oryza.com