A study by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) indicated an increasing level of awareness among farmers and consumers about the benefits of genetically improved crops, and a high level of acceptance when it comes to rice.

The study, funded by the Department of Agriculture’s Biotechnology Program Implementation Unit (BPIU), showed 66 percent of the 739 respondents affirmed their acceptance of GM rice and are willing to sell, plant or buy them.

Dr. Leonardo Gonzales presented the “Ex-Ante Impact Assessment on 3-in-1 Rice” which included the survey on GM acceptance at the recent 20th National Rice R&D (Research and Development) Conference held in Nueva Ecija.

He said the study supports the government decision to pursue research and development on rice through genetic engineering and gene splicing techniques, to come up with improved rice variety as a way to increase rice production in the Philippines.

The survey conducted stakeholders – specifically farmers and consumers – revealed that majority, or 66 percent, of respondents, also affirmed their acceptance of GMO rice, and are willing to sell, plant or buy them. The study showed 51 percent of farmers are willing to pay price increments of 1 percent to 10 percent for a type of GM rice described as provitamin.

It indicated that as the prices of FM rice increase from 11 percent to 30 percent, the respondents’ willingness to pay for GM products decline substantially. Respondent also expressed their desire to know more about rice biotechnology.

Gonzales said R&D and commercialization investments in “3-in-1” rice should be pursued as far as farm-level and environmental benefits it may generate bacterial leaf blight.

Gonzales noted that government investment in rice R&D can outweigh its costs, and cited promising scenarios.

Under the conservative scenario or very low adoption rate, the Net Present Value (NPV) of the project already amounts to P 309 million and has an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 41 percent.

The optimistic scenario sees the project generating NPV of P1.22 billion with an IRR of 63 percent.

The conduct of studies under the supervision of the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines and the DA adequately address concerns regarding the biosafety of 3-in-1 rice, according to Gonzales.