News:Bangladesh could be on the verge of becoming the first country to approve plantation of Golden Rice.
Facts:
About Golden Rice:
- Golden rice is a variety of rice (Oryza sativa) produced through genetic engineering to biosynthesize beta-carotene,a precursor of vitamin A in the edible parts of rice.
- It is intended to produce a fortified food to be grown and consumed in areas with a shortage of dietary vitamin A.
- Research has indicated that one cup of Golden Rice can provide up to 50% of the daily requirement of an adult for vitamin A.
- But presently,it has a low shelf life of not more than 3 months as it may lose its nutrients after that.
Golden Rice and Bangladesh:
- The Golden Rice that is being reviewed in Bangladesh has been developed by the International Rice Research Institute(IRRI)
- According to the institute,this rice variety will not be more expensive than the conventional variety.
Additional information:
About Vitamin A:
- Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is good for healthy vision, skin, bones and other tissues in the body.
- Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) or hypovitaminosis A is a lack of vitamin A in blood and tissues.It is common in poorer countries but rarely is seen in more developed countries.
- Vitamin A deficiency can lead to a variety of problems which includes: (a)night blindness (b) a higher risk of infections (c)follicular hyperkeratosis leading to dry skin (d)fertility issues and (e)delayed growth in children.
About IRRI:
- The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international agricultural research and training organization with headquarters in Los Baños,Laguna in the Philippines.
- IRRI is known for its work in developing rice varieties that contributed to the Green Revolution in the 1960s which preempted the famine in Asia.
- Its aim to reduce poverty and hunger, improve the health of rice farmers and consumers, and ensure environmental sustainability of rice farming.
