Expansion of biotech network seen to alleviate poverty
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is eyeing to expand its biotechnology network to boost farm production and release farmers from poverty.
DA Asst. Secretary for Policy and Planning Josyline Javelosa said the plan is to maximize the benefits of agricultural innovations, with focus on 10 of the poorest provinces in the Philippines.
Javelosa said biotechnology has become a significant factor in increasing farmers? incomes through the wider propagation of new crop varieties developed through the use of genetic engineering, tissue culture and cross breeding.
She added that these elements results into higher yields, better-tasting and nutritious food, thus assuring higher incomes for direct producers.
She also said in her message during the 1st Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONet) National congress, that she was happy because the agricultural sector has become conscious of its potent role in national development.
"The unity of producers, academe, scientific community, private sector and government would bring to fruition our collective desire t promote biotechnology," Javelosa said.
She lauded the efforts of the BIONet members to expand its existing network and promote the idea of cultivating agricultural biotechnology products in many farmlands in the country.
She also said that side by side with scientific work is the organizing of more farmers to benefit from the products of biotechnology, as well as encouraging more producers to accept the legitimacy, viability and necessity of biotechnology.
She noted that many farmers and NGOs are convinced that biotechnology works for their benefit and they have now shaken off their fear of it.
"What would work best for the interest of biotechnology is our openness to change and our patriotic attitude since we all know that in a rapidly changing world, we have to arm ourselves with the resources needed to compete, lead, in certain segments of industry and agriculture."
(DA/PIA 6)