(a) whether the Indian Council of Agricultural Research has signed a work plan with International Rice Research Institute, Philippines to enhance genetic qualities of Golden Rice;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the genetically modified Golden Rice may curb blindness among childrens; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)
(a) & (b): Indian Council of Agricultural Research and International Rice Research Institute, Philippines have signed a workplan for the period 2005-2008 which includes a project on `golden rice` entitled `The Development of Adapted Germplasm for India with High Levels of Provitamin Carotenoids` with an objective to transfer the Provitamin-A trait/events from `golden rice` lines to popular Indian rice varieties.
(c) & (d): `Golden Rice` is a variety of rice engineered to produce beta carotene (pro-vitamin A) to help to combat vitamin A deficiency which is one of the causes of blindness.