Manila, The Philippines
February 15, 2008
BY Eric B. Dorente,
BusinessWorld via SEAMEO SEARCA
With land planted with genetically-modified and other
biotechnology-related crops increasing globally, biotechnology
promoters in the Philippines are seeing huge growth of their use
in the Philippines.
"It will really increase, especially as the economy grows. As
more people are able to eat meat, feed millers will demand more
corn, which the farmers will provide," Nina G. Barzaga,
president and chief executive officer of the
Biotechnology Coalition of the
Philippines, said.
The country as of last year has some 300,000 hectares planted
with two types of genetically modified corn, the bacillus
thuringiensis (BT) corn and round-up ready (RR) varieties, which
are the only varieties allowed for planting here.
The land figure is an increase of about 50% from the 200
hectares planted to biotechnology crops in 2006.
Delson B. Sonza, a farmer and businessman from Sara, Iloilo,
reported that in their region, there is wide acceptance among
the farmers of BT and RR corn.
Mr. Sonza said even feed millers have been demanding more and
more of the genetically modified corn varieties.
Currently, 125,000 farmers are planting biotechnology-related
crops in the Philippines, according to ISAAA.
Last month, harvests of the borer worm resistant "BT eggplant"
were done for further seed propagation for experimental tests.
The country is also experimenting with genetically modified
papaya, with traits of slow ripening.
Genetic modification can be done selectively, depending on
desired "traits." In the Philippines, approved traits for corn
are resistance from the corn borer worm and herbicide tolerance,
among others, approved through the National Committee on
Biosafety of the Philippines.
Currently, only 23 countries plant biotech crops. O---f that
list, the Philippines ranks 10th making it one of the 13
"mega-countries" whose commitment to biotech crops is more than
50,000 hectares. The US is still the leading biotech crops
producer with 57.7 million hectares, covering soybean, corn,
cotton, canola, squash, papaya and alfalfa.
Clive James, ISAAA chairman, urged the Philippines to continue
being a "leader" in biotechnology.
ISAAA, a non-profit international organization that promotes
agricultural biotechnology, said food security and poverty
alleviation is a challenge that all countries will have to face
in the coming years, as global population will reach nine
billion in 2050.
"The challenge is how we can double food production using the
same amount of land we currently have," Mr. James said.
He said 2015 will be an important year, as it is the deadline
for the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty.
Mr. James said industrial countries will continue to be the
largest biotech crop producers, as the technology penetrates
Asia, and with demand for biofuels also boosting its use.
"The challenge for the Philippines is to participate to continue
to be the leader," Mr. James said.
Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap yesterday said
"communication is important."
Genetic modification, which is only a part of the larger
biotechnology field, has been criticized by environment groups,
farmers groups, and the Church, for the threats it might pose to
human health, and for "playing God."
But farmers like Mr. Sonza say the technology's "adaptability"
and bigger earnings, will drive farmers to use it.
Notes from SEARCA BIC
1. The Philippine
government also approved stacked (Bt/RR) corn for planting.
2. Estimated area planted with biotech corn in 2006 was
200,000 hectares.
3. The fruit-and-shoot borer resistant eggplant (Bt
eggplant) is still being evaluated under confined trials.
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