The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) approved the conduct of the 2021 Assessment of the Receptivity of Seed Growers and Farmers to Cultivate Golden Rice in Selected Provinces in the Philippines of the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice) and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The results of the survey will be used in assessing the farmers’ acceptance of Golden Rice (GR) and crafting the strategic pilot-deployment plan for GR in selected provinces in the Philippines.

The data items to be collected from the households include the following:

1. State of rice production in terms of practices, performance and disposition
2. Household rice consumption
3. Knowledge, Attitude, Perception (KAP) about Biotechnology
4. KAP about Golden Rice
5. Willingness to plant GR

A total of 364 households with rice farmers in Quirino, Catanduanes, Samar, Antique, Agusan del Sur, Lanao del Norte and Maguindanao will be interviewed from February to May 2021. The survey will utilize a total budget of PhP 2.9 million and the results are expected to be released in September 2021.

The survey was reviewed and cleared for conduct under the Statistical Survey Review and Clearance System (SSRCS), a mechanism being implemented by the PSA by virtue of Rule 28 of Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 10625 to:

a. ensure sound design for data collection,
b. minimize the burden placed upon respondents,
c. effect economy in statistical data collection,
d. eliminate unnecessary duplication of statistical data collection efforts, and
e. achieve better coordination of government statistical activities.

In line with this, the PSA enjoins the households with rice farmers in the above-mentioned provinces to support the said survey.

For further information on SSRCS, please contact the Statistical Standards Division (SSD) of the Standards Service (SS) with telephone numbers (02) 8376-1928 and (02) 8376-1931, and email address ssd.staff@psa.gov.ph and ssdss.staff@gmail.com.

DENNIS S. MAPA, Ph.D.
Undersecretary
National Statistician and Civil Registrar General