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Filipino farmers can now heave a sigh of relief. Government agencies have finally approved a joint department circular [JDC] that essentially allows the propagation of genetically modified crops in the Philippines in compliance with a Supreme Court decision late last year.
The circular highlights the growing importance of GM crops to overall agricultural production and their impact on the lives of ordinary farmers. . . .
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The JDC assures the public that biotechnology for agriculture will be put to good use. Biotechnology gave hope to the rural areas, especially in strife-torn Mindanao. Former Moro Islamic Liberation Front soldiers gave an account of their life as farmers and the benefits of sowing GM crops.
Maitum S. Salendab, 27 . . . . adds with the initial P10,000 he earned farming biotech corn, he was able to finish high school, build a home and run a small sari-sari store for his family. He still wants to continue planting biotech corn.
From South Cotabato, Mhads Mamantal said he was able to get back the land he mortgaged with his earnings from planting biotech corn, because for the first time he had more than enough, unlike before when he was using the ordinary corn seeds.
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They are just some of direct beneficiaries of biotech corn and hybrid rice. Those willing to tap the biotechnology for rice and corn in order to improve their lives were seldom asked how their lives were changed for the better.
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With the approval and implementation of the new biotech regulations, scientists and farmers now look forward to the continuation of their work, including the research on golden rice, delayed ripening papaya and Bt eggplant.
Read full, original post: New biotech rules boost agri prospects
