Philrice, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, is expecting to sell genetically modified rice within the next three years.
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The rice in question would be resistant to bacterial blithe, a type of bacteria prevalent in the Philippines. No multiple field tests have yet been carried out, but Dr Rhodora Aldemita, chief science research specialist at Philrice, said the research agency hopes to carry out field tests in seven areas next year.
The Philippines has nine strains of the xanthomonas oxyzae bacteria, and sees combating this as a major goal. When bacterial blithe is present, it kills rice plants and can reduce yields by more than 70%, said Aldemita.
