October 26, 2012

The Philippines is ready to share its knowledge of planting genetically modified corn or BT corn with the United States and its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Philippine Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia made the assurance during a food security conference in Maryland organized by the US Departments of State and Agriculture and industrial giant DuPont at the company's Chesapeake Farms in Chestertown.

Citing the Philippine experience, the country's top envoy said "biotechnology is contributing towards increased farmers' income and food security" noting the huge increase in lands devoted to BT corn from 11,000 hectares in 2003 to 685,000 hectares in 2011.

Controversy hounded the early implementation of bio-engineered food in the country, fueled in large part by public skepticism over the safety of crops. But Cuisia suggested those fears have been largely set aside as the number of farmers plant BT corn has risen from just 10,000 in 2003 to over 300,000 last year.

The relatively swift change can be attributed in part to the economic advantages of bio-engineered corn, which provide farmers up to 38 percent more income than conventional corn, a Philippine expert said.

The Philippines today is widely seen as the biotechnology leader in Southeast Asia, much as the International Rice Research Institute in Los Banos, Laguna is credited with the "Green Revolution" for rice in Asia.

The Philippines is willing to share the knowledge and experience it has obtained in the decade that it has implemented its transparent and science-based regulatory system for products of modern biotechnology, Cuisia said.

The rapid strides in BT corn production has helped the Philippines build a buffer stock that could bring a pretty penny for producers as corn prices rise due to the drought that devastated US farms, the chief source of corn worldwide.

Philippine Maize Federation president Roger Navarro was quoted reporting that farmers in Mindanao and Cagayan Valley are producing bumper crops, with the Philippine Department of Agriculture predicting a surplus of about 150,000 metric tons in 2013.

Discussions are being held with the National Food Authority - which is the only agency authorized to import and export rice and corn - to sell the bumper corn to South Korea, Taiwan or Malaysia.

The Philippine government policy is to promote safe and responsible use of modern biotechnology as one of the means to achieve food security, a sustainable and safe environment, and industry development, explained Philippine agriculture attaché Josyline Javelosa.

Nevertheless, Javelosa told the conference the country was pursuing bio-engineered agriculture exclusively, adding they also actively promoting organic agriculture for Filipino farmers.

The other participants in the panel discussion on "Food Security, Agriculture Technology and the Role of Government" were Jack Bobo, Senior Advisor for Biotechnology from the State Department; Dr. Pace Lubinsky, USDA Science Advisor; Dr. Judy Chambers, Director, Program on Biosafety Systems of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; Dr. John Duesing, Sr. Director for Regulatory Science Support and Operations of DuPont Pioneer. The panel was moderated by Max Holtzman, USDA Senior Advisor.