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The Department of Agriculture (DA) will continue to promote
the safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology and its
products such as the genetically improved Bacillus thuringiensis
(Bt) corn which will now be included in the Ginuntuang Masaganang
Ani (GMA) program of the government.
Assistant Secretary for Operations Dennis Araullo said corn
farmers who chose to plant Bt corn instead of hybrid corn shall
receive corn subsidy under the program to boost the country's
corn productivity.
Araullo met with some 50 Bt corn farmers, some came from as far
as Mindanao, who trooped to the DA's Bureau of Soils and Water
Management (BSWM) building at Elliptical Road corner Visayas
Avenue to express their support to the government's ongoing programs
and policies in promoting the safe and responsible use of biotechnology.
The corn subsidy under the program is P1,200 per hectare.
"If they want to plant Bt corn, we will give them what
they want," he said.
Araullo said the DA encourages farmers to grow high-yielding
crops developed through biotechnology, for them to maximize their
profit and at the same time solve the problem of hunger and poverty.
"We need to increase productivity. With limited land
devoted for food production and more and more agricultural lands
being converted for other purposes, the only way we can increase
productivity is through an advanced farming technology. Biotechnology
is a solution to such problems," he said.
The farmers, mostly members of the Philippine Maize Federation
(PhilMaize) asked Araullo to allow them to use the corn subsidy
under the DA's GMA program to buy Bt corn seeds, for them to
increase productivity.
PhilMaize President Rosalie Ellasus, a former overseas Filipino
worker (OFW) said the country can become corn self-sufficient
if the government will aggressively promote biotech crops such
as Bt corn.
Bt corn is, a genetically engineered corn induced with the Bacillus
thuringiensis, a bacteria found in soil that is natural enemy
of insects such as the corn borer.
Ellasus is the first recipient of the Kleckner Trade and Technology
Advancement Award given by the Truth About Trade and Technology
for her strong leadership, vision and resolve in advancing the
right of farmers to choose the technology and tools that will
improve the quality, quantity and availability of agricultural
products worldwide.
She said the dialogue was also meant to allay the fears of
Bt corn farmers that the government will not stand by the national
policy and would give in to pressure by anti-GMO advocates.
"If they will ban GMOs, we will no longer plant corn.
We might as well stop farming. Now that we know the benefits
of biotech crops compared to traditional crops," Ellasus
said.
Gerardo Barica, a farmer from Zamboanga del Norte, said he
started planting Bt corn last year and was surprised that his
yield increase from 3 tons to 5 tons per hectare, allowing him
to gain a net profit of P22,000 for every hectare.
"I used to plant hybrid corn but because of the cost
of farm inputs, I tried Bt corn and found out that it is economically
better to plant it, because it naturally kills corn borer,"
he said. (Biolife news service)
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