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 supertyphoons 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 supertyphoons— such as typhoons 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 Paras.

Paras, in his keynote speech during the kick-off ceremony marking the weeklong celebration of the 3rd National Biotechnology Week at the Bureau of Soil and Water Management on Monday, 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 traditional 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.

He said, in two years, the first edible GM crop—the Bt eggplant—will be ready for commercial production. “Our scientists are developing a multi-virus-resistant tomato and virus-resistant varieties of banana and abaca, regarded as one of the best fiber sources in the world, which is seeing a strong revival,” he said.

Paras also cited as a “golden example of biotech application in agriculture” is the amazing progress of the effort to improve the livestock and dairy industry through the work of the Philippine Carabao Center. He said today, the Philippine carabao, improved through the wonders of reproductive biotechnology, has become bigger, strong and produces more milk.

In health and medicine, he said the application of biotechnology ensures the cheaper supply of raw materials through biopharming. He said the Philippines has the expertise to grow genetically enhanced plants and crops that are rich in minerals and essential nutrients.

Beyond farms, he said experts are also looking at a wide array of medicinal plants as ingredients for pharmaceutical products to take advantage of the country’s biodiversity.

“We have about 850 indigenous medicinal plants, watch with an active pharmaceutical ingredient,” he said.

According to Paras, the second- largest sector in the world biotechnology industry today is the medicine sector, where investments are estimated at $58 billion, citing a 2005 study.

He also said the Philippines can learn from China’s experience in growing genetically engineered trees to boost effort to cover the country’s bald forests.

Through genetic engineering, he said, the country can produce trees that can grow faster and bigger. Moreover, he said the Philippines can conserve and preserve wild life that is in the brink of extinction, using the wonders of modern biotechnology.

According to Paras, one genetically engineered tree that may be introduced in the Philippines is the Eucalyptus camaldulensis genetically engineered for bioremediation of heavy-metal contaminated soils. This species may be suitable in polluted mining areas, he said. (Biolife News Service)