Ilocos Norte farmer reaps gains from high-zinc rice

MANILA, Philippines — A high-zinc rice cultivated in Ilocos Norte produced yield nearly twice the national average, as the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) helps the country look for alternatives that can complement efforts to address child stunting and micronutrient deficiency.

In Barangay Sta. Cecilia, San Nicolas, farmer Ricky de Guzman harvested 8.14 tons per hectare from NSIC Rc 648, also known as Zinc Rice 2, which was higher than the 4.07 t/ha national average palay yield across all ecosystems in this year’s first quarter. It also exceeded the variety’s reported yield potential of four to 7.4 t/ha under favorable growing conditions.

Child stunting remains a national nutrition concern in the country, after the recently released 2025 Updating Survey of the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute showed that the rate among children under five increased to 25.3 percent in 2025 from 23.6 percent in 2023.

De Guzman, a first-time grower of high-zinc rice and an experienced seed grower, volunteered to plant the variety after learning about its nutritional benefits. He usually harvests about seven to 10 t/ha from different rice varieties.

“I was surprised that this variety can produce high yield. With proper irrigation, fertilization and crop management, it can also compete with the high-yielding inbred varieties that many farmers prefer,” he said.

NSIC Rc 648 matures in 122 days and performs best in irrigated lowland areas during dry and wet seasons.

Anielyn Alibuyog, PhilRice Batac Healthier Rice Program focal person, said the result shows that farmers can produce rice with added nutritional value without giving up productivity.

“This variety shows that farmers do not have to sacrifice yield to produce healthier rice. It combines nutritional value with competitive productivity, making it a promising option for farmers and consumers,” Alibuyog said.

As zinc is an essential micronutrient that supports immune function, children’s growth and cognitive development, and maternal health, Alibuyog further emphasized that the said variety is not a stand-alone solution to stunting, but it can support nutrition efforts by helping increase zinc intake through the Filipinos’ staple food.

PhilRice Batac procured De Guzman’s harvest for seed production and promotional stocks to support wider adoption of healthier rice varieties in Region I.

Encouraged by the result, De Guzman plans to plant NSIC Rc 460, or Zinc Rice 1, in the coming wet season to help increase the supply of high-zinc rice.

Farmers interested in growing high-zinc rice may coordinate with the nearest PhilRice branch for information on seed availability and production guidelines.