Thirty-three media practitioners, academic personnels, and local government officers from the Bicol region gathered for the Media Workshop on Creating Awareness, Knowledge and Understanding of Biotech Crops held at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Camarines Sur on 19 May 2010.

The workshop is a sequel of biotech outreach activities that started in 2005 which aims to enhance the awareness and understanding of key stakeholders on the principles and benefits of agri-biotechnology; update them on the R&D status of public-sector GM/biotech products; and share farmers’ experiences in adopting GM/biotech crops. Specifically, the workshop enabled to promote science-based and responsible reporting of biotechnology issues by media practitioners as well as to establish network with them and other key stakeholders in the Bicol region.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Joel Batanes, vice-president of CBSUA Research, Extension and Enterprise Development, emphasized that, “Bringing the right information to farmers’ doorsteps will surely make a better acceptance of biotechnology. We need media people, who are credible source of information, to convey to the public the information on what our research scientists are doing, such as the project on the development of transgenic fruit and shoot borer-resistant eggplant.” He underscored CBSUA’s stand in adopting scientific programs, such as biotechnology, that will benefit farmers and complement with the national food sufficiency program.

During the workshop, multi-awarded farmer Rosalie Ellasus of Pangasinan shared her experiences in planting Bt corn. “I harvested 9.2 metric tons (MT) of Bt corn last year”, said Rosalie who is using stacked trait Bt corn in her farm. As a progressive farmer, she envisages the need for better post-harvest facilities, broadened marketing linkages, and new biotech crops that will able to cope up with the changing climate.

The workshop was organized as a collaborative effort among CBSUA, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC), Asian Farmers Regional Network (ASFARNET) – Philippines and the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSPII), and was supported by the Philippines Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program Office (DA BPO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

To learn more about biotechnology updates in the Philippines, visit SEARCA BIC website at http://www.bic.searca.org or e-mail bic@agri.searca.org. (Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Jenny A. Panopio
Special Project Coordinator & Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: jap at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-2290 loc 169 or 406
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-4105
URL: www.bic.searca.org