The Philippines' effective Biosafety policies may make it the world's first producer of genetically modified (GM) pro-Vitamin A-rich rice which is set to undergo field testing in 18 months.

"For any major rice growing country, the Philippines has one of the best Biosafety regulations in the world. It has very clear policies. I will not be surprised if it will be the first to release the first pro-Vitamin A rice," said Robert Zeigler, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) director general, in an interview during the Agricultural and Rural Development in Asia Forum.

Bangladesh is also in the forefront of pro-Vitamin A rice's development, although India is apparently more advanced. Indonesia and Vietnam are now both eyeing to also embark on it.

Yet, the Philippines appears to have a firm grip on the technology, even in commercialization.

"Release and commercialization are two different things. (But) PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) has an excellent program in getting technology rice farmers. I'm hoping in three years (from field testing) or by 2010, we can have it in farmers' hands," said Zeigler.

An international organization based in Los Baños, Laguna, IRRI is presently working on additional funds for the GM rice probably from European or Asian donors. This will be on top of existing funding from US Agency for International Development, Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"I think funding depends on where we are in the process. As we get closer to release, we need to have fund to develop the seed, for communication. If we want to combine iron and zinc with Golden Rice," more funding will be required, he said.

Aside from aiming to fill up nutritional deficiencies in the Philippines' impoverished communities, IRRI is eyeing the release of pro Vitamin A-rich rice in South Africa which is similarly in dire need of the technology.

The pro-Vitamin A-rich rice is making use of a beta carotene-rich corn gene which is hoped to accelerate propagation approval since corn is a natural human food.

Corn was found to contain 37 micrograms per gram of beta carotene which is higher compares to other pro-Vitamin A source.

In the Philippines, scientists are targeting to insert the GM pro-Vitamin A rich gene into popular inbred rice varieties that are prevalent in Vitamin-A-deficient rural areas.

It should be in inbred (self-pollinating) varieties so that farmers can propagate them easily and cheaply without high seed costs. Farmers themselves should take this rice for their family's sustenance.

Genetic modification in crops is seen to offer long-term solutions to problems of farmers on rice productivity, rice consumers' nutritional deficiency, and even problems confronting the environment.

Drought resistance in rice will solve water deficiencies while disease resistance and pest resistance will raise productivity.