Commercialization of 3-in-1 rice anticipated to yield lots of benefits

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, a 3-in-1 rice variety that is now being developed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) is expected to be planted on a commercial scale throughout the country. The seven-year breeding project started in 2004 soon after PhilRice received genetically modified Golden Rice events donated by the Gates Foundation. Field tests are expected to start before the end of 2008.

Golden Rice is the result of genetic engineering that involved the deliberate introduction of two genes from other organisms. The process completed the biochemical pathway that allows beta-carotene production in rice grains, giving them the distinct yellow color.

The 3-in-1 variety will be the first of its kind, as it will contain three important traits never before found at the same time in a rice variety, said PhilRice scientist Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso who leads the breeding team. With the use of conventional breeding techniques, genes for beta-carotene biosynthesis from Golden Rice as well as for rice tungro disease and bacterial leaf blight resistance are transferred into the grains of local varieties.

Although the rice plant produces beta-carotene in its leaves and stems under normal condition, it does not produce any in its grains. For this reason, a rice-based diet contributes to high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency or VAD, particularly among the poor, who cannot afford to include vegetables, meat, and other foods rich in vitamin A in their meals on a daily basis. Vitamin A, an antioxidant, promotes good vision, enables proper reproduction and lactation among women, and helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, skeletal and soft tissue, mucous membrane, and skin.

“Insufficient vitamin A and beta-carotene intake for long periods of time results in morbidity and mortality, particularly among children and pregnant and lactating women – the most affected population groups,” said a research team from the Sikap/Strive Foundation and PhilRice, who conducted an “Ex-Ante Impact Evaluation of 3-in-1 Rice”.

Depending on the degree and medical severity of VAD, its visible manifestations are night blindness, Bitot’s spot, corneal ulceration, and corneal scars. If left untreated, corneal ulceration and corneal scars may lead to permanent blindness. VAD also weakens the immune system, thereby exacerbating infections like HIV-AIDS [human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome], diarrhea, and measles.

The research team, led by the economist Dr. Leonardo A. Gonzales of Sikap/Strive Foundation, said: “All these VAD-related diseases, in turn, translate into increased health care costs and economic losses accruing years foregone and loss of potential productivity. But more than the economic costs, the VAD problem deprives those [affected] individuals of the basic right to an adequately healthy and active life.”

In the Philippines, vitamin A deficiency is considered a major health problem. A survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2003 showed that 71 percent of total households in the country did not meet their recommended vitamin A (retinol equivalent) nutrients. Four out of every 10 Filipino children, six months to 5 years old, suffer from VAD. This is not surprising since two of every 10 pregnant and lactating Filipino mothers suffer from VAD.

Resistance to rice tungro disease and bacterial leaf blight are being incorporated into the 3-in-1 rice because these devastating diseases recurrently plague the country.

Losses from rice tungro disease could be staggering. In Davao del Norte alone, crop losses in 1993 amounted to PhP10.6 million. Dr. Xuan Hoai Truong of PhilRice estimated in 1999 that crop losses from rice tungro disease could vary from 39 per cent to 65 percent.

On the other hand, bacterial leaf blight occurs in many provinces with irrigated lowlands where farmers plant susceptible varieties like IR64. This disease is more prevalent and destructive during the wet season. It causes poor development and low grain quality, as it increases the number of underdeveloped grains and reduces weight, resulting in poor maturation and a high proportion of broken grains.

Studies in the Philippines have reported losses of 10 percent to 60 percent from bacterial leaf blight. It was estimated that 8.1 percent of the total area planted to rice can be possibly affected by bacterial leaf blight, and the resulting yield loss could mean about US$57.5 million of foregone production. Experts have pointed out that the most effective and economical way of preventing and managing bacterial leaf blight could be achieved primarily through the use of resistant varieties.

It is expected, therefore, that 3-in-1 rice will benefit both the farmers and consumers. For the farmers, it is expected that it will increase their profitability through reduced costs and higher yields. For the consumers, the new rice variety is expected to provide them with higher levels of micronutrients, thereby boosting the health of the rice-dependent population.

The benefits from 3-in-1 rice will outweigh the costs of research and development [R&D] and commercialization, which were estimated at PhP149 million in 2005 prices, the team said. Under very low adoption rate, the net present value (NPV) of the project amounts to PhP309 million, and has an internal rate of return (IRR) of 41 percent. Under high adoption rate, it will generate an NPV of PhP1.22 billion with 63 percent IRR. In addition, it could generate health impacts similar to the projected impact of Golden Rice in the Philippines, which is US$16-88 million.

Dr. Gonzales said consumption of 3-in-1 rice would not lead to vitamin A poisoning because it contains only the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, which the body uses only when it suffers VAD. Even if beta-carotene intake is high, any excess is excreted or stored in the body as beta-carotene, then converted to vitamin A only when the body needs it.

(Readers may reach columnist at spablico@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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