By Kenneth Marcos 
At a small daycare center in the province, children line up with their plates, waiting for a warm meal. For many of them, what is served today could mean more than just a full stomach. It could help protect their health and support their growth.
Around 1,500 daycare and elementary school learners at nutritional risk will receive high-zinc rice under a 90-day feeding program in seven provinces. The initiative is led by Kiwanis International–Philippine Luzon District (KI-PLD) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice).
The program, titled “Stronger Together: United for Children’s Nutrition, Mental Health, and Education,” will be rolled out in Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Palawan, Laguna, Cavite, Quezon, and Pangasinan.
The effort comes as malnutrition remains a serious concern in the country. Based on the 2023 National Nutrition Survey, two out of every 10 Filipino children aged five and below are stunted. Stunting means a child is too short for his or her age due to chronic malnutrition. Zinc deficiency is one of the contributing factors. It weakens the immune system and may affect brain development.
High-zinc rice is bred through conventional methods, not genetic modification. It contains more zinc than ordinary rice while keeping the same taste, texture, and cooking quality that Filipino families are used to. Varieties such as NSIC Rc 460 and Rc 648 contain about 19.6 to 20.4 milligrams of zinc per kilogram, higher than common rice varieties.
Rice scientists say that one cup, or about 150 grams, of cooked high-zinc rice can provide up to 25 percent of the daily zinc requirement of preschool children. Zinc plays an important role in strengthening immunity and reducing the risk of severe diarrhea and pneumonia, which are among the leading causes of illness in young children.
Under a memorandum of agreement, the partnership will not only distribute high-zinc rice but also promote its local production. Farmer groups will be encouraged to grow these varieties to support local supply chains. The rice will be integrated into school and community feeding programs in the target provinces.
Kiwanis will mobilize resources to procure and distribute the nutrient-rich rice, coordinate with local government units, and engage its volunteer network in implementation. PhilRice will provide technical assistance to ensure the supply and quality of high-zinc rice. Public awareness campaigns are also planned to educate communities about the health benefits of zinc-enriched rice.
During a recent stakeholder workshop, 2016 World Food Prize Laureate Dr. Howarth E. Bouis highlighted the impact of zinc deficiency on child health. He noted that improving zinc intake can significantly reduce health risks and support better physical and mental development.
PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John C. De Leon emphasized that strong partnerships are key to delivering effective nutrition programs. He said collaboration between civic organizations and government agencies ensures that vulnerable children receive needed support.
KI-PLD District Governor Stachys Neil E. Espino also reaffirmed the group’s commitment to long-term child-focused programs. Kiwanis International has a history of supporting global child nutrition efforts, including a partnership with UNICEF that helped combat iodine deficiency in nearly 90 countries.
As the program begins in these seven provinces, it carries a simple but powerful goal: to help Filipino children grow healthier and stronger. With continued cooperation among farmers, schools, local governments, and civic groups, nutrient-enriched rice could become a practical tool in the fight against child malnutrition.
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