May 24, 2006

Bt corn seeds may be priced out of reach of buyers in Philippines

Farmers in the Philippines may have to stop using Bt corn seeds if its price increase continues, said the Department of Agriculture in a press statement. 

The Department of Agriculture urged seed producers to make the seed more affordable to expand the number of farmers planting the Bt corn.

The genetically engineered Bt corn manufactures its own insecticide, Bacillus thuringiensis delta endotoxin to resist the Asian corn borer.

The number of farmers planting Bt corn is expected to balloon 10 times by the next planting season, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines.

The survey covered some 926 corn farmers from nine provinces.

Those who planted Bt corn posted an average yield of at least 13 percent higher than non Bt corn users, the survey revealed.

However, high costs may halt some of their enthusiasm

Bt corn seeds are currently sold at twice the price of other hybrid corn seeds.