Philippines: In the face of droughts, super typhoons, ‘biotech’ key country’s survival, say officials

AN official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday cited biotechnology as the key to the country’s survival during these crucial times when the country is threatened by unfavorable weather conditions such as drought and super typhoons that can adversely affect agricultural production.

In the event of long dry spells – such as the one which the country experienced halfway through the year and super typhoons – such as typhoon “Lando”, “Mina” and “Nonoy” – that are expected to simultaneously hit the country, biotechnology can help save the day, said Agriculture Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Emmanuel M. Paras.
Paras, in his keynote speech during the kick-off ceremony marking the week-long celebration of the 3rd National Biotechnology Week at the Bureau of Soil and Water Management yesterday said biotechnology could help enhance quality of life through better health, spur economic growth and progress through high-end agriculture, and develop a more globally-competitive agribiotech-based trade and industry, while promoting sustainable exploration of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of mankind.
He credited biotechnology for cushioning the impact of the long dry spell early this year, saying through biotechnology, it was able to produce more tradition agri-fishery products such as corn for feed, and fish.
According to Paras, biotechnology is making big, important strides not only in agriculture but in other areas of human existence such as in health, energy and environment.
Paras cited the contribution of biotechnology in helping attain food security “while farm and fishery resources steadily dwindle in the face of a constantly growing population.”
According to Paras, the DA is linking hands with the private sector and has embarked on a program to develop more outstanding crop varieties and appropriate technologies through biotechnology.
Paras said the DA has started to slowly upgrade the breeding and research laboratories, and do field-test of biotech seeds and plant materials for use in small farms.
The DA official also said that farmers are being educated about the merits of availing themselves of the blessings of biotechnology, while advising consumers that biotech products are safe to use.
He cited the case of Bt corn, the first genetically-engineered corn approved for commercial propagation in the Philippines, which has been found to be resistant to the Asian corn borer that has ravaged many corn plantations in the region.
The use of Bt corn, he said is cost-efficient and environment-friendly, as it cuts the use of chemicals to rid the farms of pests.
According to Paras, there are “proudly Filipino” transgenic crops in the pipeline, citing the GM papaya which has a delayed-ripening trait and one that is resistant to the ring spot virus.