Biotechnology in agriculture to boost production—scientists

By Leny G. Gabo

Experts from the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) recently presented their latest findings indicating the big help brought by the new technology in enhancing crop production.

Dr. Benigno Pecson , President of the BCP said that the biotechnology is an answer to the looming malnutrition problem as well as the hunger problem in the country. According to him their study shows that in spite of the early doubts placed on the viability and propriety of using biotechnology products, farmers eventually believed in scientific tests and concluded that they would earn more by producing crops like the Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn and Bt cotton.  

Due to the result of the study in Bt Corn, farmers found out that the Bt corn have higher yields and more nutritious than the traditional, varieties, thus, ensuring better incomes and larger markets.

Biotechnology research also showed that Bt Corn had higher resistance to the Asiatic corn borer, the single reason why the carcinogen aflatoxin saddles local corn varieties.

Dr. Saturnina Halos, head of the Department of Agriculture – Biotechnology Advisory Unit (DA-BAT) said the country's biosafety regulatory system which is being strictly enforced by the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP) has greatly contributed to the success of the biotech program in the country.

According to her it is because of the very stringent process it enforces compared to those implemented by European and ASEAN countries.

The scientists stressed that the shift to agricultural biotechnological products is great boost to the country's campaign to ensure long-term food security and a reduction of costly importations of food products that could be grown in the Philippines .