Farmers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan spoke about increased crop productivity and seek approval of more biotech crops
The recently held virtual 15th Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Programme was co-organised by CropLife Asia, CropLife Philippines and the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines. The event discussed issues related to the importance of agricultural biotechnology to build resilience to climate change and enhance crop production to achieve food and nutritional security. Scientists, researchers, farmers and other experts from the seed industry expressed their views about the benefits of genome editing technology, Genetically Modified (GM) crops, new plant breeding innovations, and speedy regulatory approvals for new technologies in different countries.
Farmers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan explained how the use of biotechnological solutions led to an increase in their profits through higher and better-quality yield and reduction in crop inputs.
Dr Rhodora Romero- Aldemita, Director, Southeast Asia Center; Director, Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Application (ISAAA) said that the use of biotech crops has been increasing quite fast, with coverage of 190.4 million hectares by 2019.
Dr Aldemita said “Biotech crops contributed to food security, sustainability and climate change. It has helped us to increase production, conserve biodiversity, provide a better environment, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and alleviate poverty and hunger in more than 17 million farmers and 65 million people. The Philippines is the leading GM crop adopter in the Southeast Asia region and non-adopting countries need to adopt it to meet the global food demand. There is evidence that this technology works and hence it is unreasonable to delay and not letting beneficiaries enjoy it.”
Dr Rusell Reinke, team leader, Improving Health Through Safe and Nutritionally Enhanced Rice, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said, “It is important that sustainable production of sufficient nutrient-rich and staple foods should be accessible, affordable and desirable to all. Golden rice can meet our goals of 30-50 per cent of EAR for women and children and the farmer management is the same as for existing varieties. Farmer and consumer studies is also underway to guide development.”
Dr Szalbolcs Ruthner, regulatory Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF) said that gene editing is a continuum of all knowledge, plant scientists and breeders have accumulated in the past. He added, “This is a part of plant breeding activity, and a part of toolbox plant breeders are using. The main aim is to increase and create genetic variability when they can use it to develop a new variety.”
Experts were of the view that communicating science is as important as implementing science in laboratories. If research is not rightly communicated, then the work is half done. Studies have shown that when research is understood and consumers are reassured, they are more willing to accept new technologies.
