Explained: What is Golden Rice?

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.