According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications (ISAAA), Biotech rice, an insect resistant variety, will be available for commercial use in the next 2 years. Dr Randy Hautea, ISAAA global coordinator, said, "The genetically modified (GM) rice may be available within 24 months."
According to the ISAAA report, the Bt rice is extensively field tested in China and is awaiting approval by the Chinese regulatory authorities for commercialisation. Dr Clive James, founder and chairman of ISAAA, said, "This development is of great significance because rice is the most important food crop in the world, especially for the poor, aside from answering the current food security problem." Further the ISAAA report recognised biotech rice as the most important of the new biotech crops that are now ready for adoption.
The ISAAA has announced to introduce "Golden rice," genetically biofortified rice with beta carotene that produces vitamin A by 2012. The Golden rice is being field-tested at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna. At present, over 90% of rice is grown and consumed in Asia accounting for over 250 million farmers who cultivate rice.
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