Manila, July 3 -- The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) introduced Thursday two high-zinc rice varieties to help reduce zinc deficiency, one of the leading contributors to stunting among Filipino children.

The ceremonial "Unang Ani (first harvest)" at the DA-PhilRice Negros Station experimental field here was led by Director Ommal Abdulkadil and Dr. Mallikarjuna Swamy, high-zinc rice lead breeder from the International Rice Research Institute, in the presence of a group of farmers and agriculture students.

In his message, Abdulkadil said "the innovative rice variety is a powerful step toward addressing micronutrient deficiencies in the communities."

"We are observing the Nutrition Month. We high...