Manila, The Philippines
October, 2008
Source: Agriculture Magazine
October 2008 issue via
SEAMEO SEARCA
by Dr. 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 grants
donated by the Gates Foundation. Field tests are expected to
start before the end of 2008.
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, according to the PhilRice scientist Dr.
Antonio A. Alfonso who leads the breeding team. With the use of
conventional breeding techniques, the breeding work involves
transferring not only the genes for beta-carotene biosynthesis
into the grains of local varieties but also the genes for rice
tungro disease and bacterial leaf blight resistance.
Golden Rice, one of the parents of the 3-in-1 rice, is
genetically modified since it is the result of genetic
engineering that involved the deliberate artificial introduction
of two genes from other organisms into the rice genome. The
process completed the biochemical pathway that allows
beta-carotene production in the rice grain, giving it the
distinct yellow color. The latest version has about 23 times
more carotenoid (pro-vitamin A) than the prototype, which has
1.6 micrograms per gram of grains.
However, Golden Rice is a japonica rice variety, which thrives
in temperahte rice-growing countries but not under tropical
conditions such as in the Philippines.
Research reports indicate that 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 needed in vision development and bone
growth, is also important in the maintenance of the human immune
system. It is stored in the liver, 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 categorized into four: 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, VAD is considered a major health problem. A
survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Council 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 (6 months to 5 years old)
suffer from VAD. This is not surprising since 2 of every 10
pregnant and lactating Filipino mothers suffer from VAD.
Added Disease Resistance
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.
Tungro rice disease is the most damaging viral disease of rice
in the Philippines, particularly in the major rice growing areas
like Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Albay, Bohol and North
Cotabato. This disease is transmitted by the green leafhopper
from diseased to healthy plants.
Former PhilRice Executive Director Dr. Leoacadio S. Sebastian
said there is no chemical control against rice tungro disease.
Aside from being costly, the disease can still occur even if the
green leafhopper population is low.
Losses from rice tungro disease could be staggering. In Davao
del Norte alone, crop losses in 1993 amounted to Php 10.6
million. Dr. Xuan Hoai Truong of PhilRice estimated in 1999 that
crop losses from rice tungro disease could vary from 39 percent
to 65 percent.
On the other hand, bacterial leaf blight occurs in the many
provinces with irrigated lowlands where farmers plant
susceptible varieties like IR64. These provinces include Ilocos
Norte, Cagayan, Ifugao, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and
Bulacan.
Bacterial leaf blight 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. Experts said that the earlier bacterial leaf
blight appear, the greater damage it causes.
Studies in the Philippines have reported losses if 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 the 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 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.
Ex-Ante Results
In their report, the research team said: "The benefits from the
investments in research and development (R&D) and
commercialization of 3-in-1 rice [will] outweigh the costs. It
was estimated that R&D and commercialization would cost P 149
million in 2005 prices."
In the foreword of their report, Dr. Gonzales said: "Under the
conservative scenario (very low adoption rate), the net present
value (NPV) of the project amounts to Php 309 million, and it
has an internal rate of return (IRR) of 41 percent. The
optimistic scenario predicts that the project will generate an
NPV of Php 1.22 billion with an IRR of 63 percent. Aside from
this, the project 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
intoxification due to an overdose of vitamin A because it
contains only the vitamin A precursor beta-carotene, which is
utilized by the body only when it suffers VAD. Beta-carotene is
not known to be toxic. Even if the 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.
"Simply put, there is no danger of vitamin A toxicity in 3-in-1
rice as there is no vitamin A in Golden Rice, only the non-toxic
carotenoid precursors that enable the human body to make vitamin
A," the report stated.
Moreover, the chances of outcrossing to nontransgenic rice are
very low. Research at IRRI has shown that the chance of
outcrossing from currently cultivated rice species is very low
since these varieties are self-pollinating. Thus, people should
not be afraid, since the rice pollen is viable for only 3-5
minutes.
Will farmers plant 3-in-1 rice? Two acceptability surveys were
conducted to assess the perception and acceptability of
genetically modified (GM) rice among farmers and consumers. In
general, almost three out of five respondents or 58 percent are
willing to plant / buy / sell GM rice.
Among farmer-respondents, however, 67 percent are willing to
plant GM rice, while only 7.5 percent refused to plant and 23.8
percent are undecided. Among consumers, 53.6 percent are willing
to buy and sell GM rice; only 10.4 percent refuse, while 35.8
percent are undecided.
The results also showed that 51 percent of the respondents are
willing to pay price increases of 1 percent to 10 percent for
vitamin A rice and pest-resistant GM rice. As the prices of GM
rice increase to 11 percent to 30 percent, respondents'
willingness to pay for GM products declines substantially at an
average of 12 percent, then to 2 percent as prices of GM rice
increase to greater than 50 percent. |
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