Regional Workshop on Biotech and Biosafety Held for Asian Researchers and Regulators

Vol. IX No. 2aprIl – december 2013

NewsletterA B S PIIAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

Southeast Asia

The National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) approved for regional release two new eggplant F1 hybrids developed by the Crop Science Cluster-Institute of Plant Breeding, University of the Philippines

Los Baños (UPLB) during its meeting on October 14, 2013. With the market dominated by private seed companies, this is the first time for a public sector institution to develop eggplant hybrids. The new eggplant F1 hybrids ‘Tanglaw ‘(beacon) and ‘Tanyag’ (famous) were two of the four UPLB-developed non-Bt hybrids which were field-evaluated in Sta. Maria in Pangasinan, UP Los Baños in Laguna, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) in Pili, Camarines Sur, Cotton Development Administration (CODA), Sta. Barbara in Iloilo, Visayas State University (VSU) in Baybay, Leyte, and University of Southern Mindanao (USM) in Kabacan, North Cotabato from 2012 to 2013. A commercial hybrid eggplant variety served as the comparator to the new varieties. Under the NSIC rule, a variety being applied is considered for registration if it out-yields the check variety or possesses an additional special trait.

The fruits of the newly-developed UPLB F1 hybrids are deep purple, elongated medium-length (about 8 inches long), and highly adapted to the prevailing agro-climatic conditions in Luzon (Laguna, Pangasinan and Camarines Sur), Visayas (Iloilo and Leyte), and Mindanao (North Cotabato). The two hybrids have higher marketable yield potential, with yield advantages even reaching more than

100%, over the commercial hybrid check variety across six sites for two seasons; 2-3 days earlier to reach 50% flowering; all moderately resistant in the field against sucking arthropods (aphids, broad mites, red spider mites and thrips) comparable with the check; and lower percentage (21-40%)

NSIC Approves First UPLB-developed Eggplant Hybrids

Participants at work during the message mapping exercise of the Regional Workshop on Enhancing Knowledge and Communication Skills on Biotechnology and Biosafety.

The “Regional Workshop on Enhancing Knowledge and Communication Skills on Biotechnology and Biosafety” was held on October 29-30, 2013 at

Century Park Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand for researchers, regulatory officers, and other key stakeholders from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The workshop aimed to develop their communication skills and enhance their knowledge on biotech and biosafety issues. Bt eggplant project technical collaborators and regulators from Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), the University of Southern Mindanao (USM), and Municipality of Sta. Maria, Pangasinan participated in the workshop. ISAAA Global Coordinator Dr. Randy Hautea, ABSPII Director Dr. Frank Shotkoski, and Crop Life Asia Seed Regulatory Director Dr. Tantono Subagyo first updated the participants on the status, benefits, and potentials of agri-biotech and perspectives from the public and private sector on biotech communication. Thailand’s Biotechnology Alliance Association President Dr. Nipon Iamsupasit, Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry regulator Ms. Merle Palacpac, and Jember University Professor Dr. Bambang Sugiharto shared the country experiences in conducting confined field trials in Thailand, Philippines, and Indonesia, respectively. On enhancing the participants’ communication skills, lectures on effective biotech communication and an exercise on communicating biotech issues to various

UPLB-developed eggplant hybrid Tanyag.

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Eggplant hybrid Tanglaw.

2 Vol. IX, No. 2

9th Philippine Biotech Week Celebrated

The annual Philippine National Biotechnology Week (NBW), now on its 9th year celebration, was held on November 25-29, 2013 at Universidad de Manila and Department of Education

(DepEd)-Manila Division. This year’s NBW was spearheaded by the Department of Education and carried the theme “Edukasyon sa Bioteknolohiya: Ok sa 5K.” The week-long event involved various public engagement activities for different stakeholders. Among the activities were the Bioteknolohiya at Pagsasaka: A Forum and Farmers’ Exposure Trip on Agricultural Biotechnology where farmers from various provinces were updated on the basic science and applications of biotechnology, biotech corn adoption, and government biotech R&D efforts in the country. They also visited biotech facilities and learned about local biotech products such as Bt eggplant in UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding, UPLB-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, and International Rice Research Institute. Filipino journalists who wrote notable and accurate articles on biotechnology were also recognized during the 2013 Jose G. Burgos, Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism on November 28 at Century Park Hotel, Manila. A week-long exhibit at DepEd-Manila showcasing products of government agencies, research institutions, and non-government organizations was also held. DepEd Undersecretary for Programs and Projects Dr. Dina Ocampo said that responsible application of biotechnology can address many challenges brought about by climate change such as food security, quality health care, and clean environment. She

Ribbon cutting for the 9th NBW Exhibit. Farmers at UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding listen to Bt eggplant study leaders Virma Rea Lee and Dr. Maria Luz Sison on the potential advantages of the said biotech crop.

Winners and some of the organizers of the J. Burgos, Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism 2013.

also said that education is key in enlightening the youth on the importance of biotechnology to agricultural development. The NBW is celebrated in accordance with the Philippine Presidential Proclamation No. 1414. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Regional Workshop on Biotech and Biosafety Held for Asian Researchers and Regulators (continued from page 1)

NSIC Approves First UPLB-developed Eggplant Hybrids (continued from page 1)

audiences were led by ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology Director Dr. Mariechel Navarro and UPLB-College of Development Communication Dean Dr. Ma. Theresa Velasco. An exercise on message mapping was also facilitated by SEARCA BIC Network Administrator and Special Project Coordinator Ms. Jenny Panopio. Organizers of the workshop were ABSPII, ISAAA, SEARCA, Program for Biosafety Systems Philippines, Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center, Thailand Biotechnology Alliance Association, and Biosafety and Biotechnology Information Center. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB)-damaged fruits compared with the check (41-60%). During the trials, insecticides against lepidopteran insect pests particularly the eggplant fruit and shoot borer and sucking arthropods were applied to the crop when the pest population exceeded the economic threshold level. The development of UPLB eggplant hybrids were made possible through collaboration with technical experts from CBSUA, CODA, VSU, and USM, and funding support from USAID through the Cornell-funded project ABSPII and the DA-Biotechnology Program Office. The newly-approved UPLB hybrids are the non-Bt counterparts of the Bt eggplant hybrids containing event ‘EE-1’. (LDTaylo, RNCandano and RBQuilloy)

Vol. IX, No. 2 3

Key Stakeholders Convene in International Conference on Adoption of Biotech Crops in China, India, and the Philippines

Short Videos Feature Bt Eggplant Project in the Philippines; Pretested with High School Students

The “International Conference on the Adoption of Biotech Crops in the Developing World: Case Studies of Farmers from China, India, and the Philippines”, which included

a study visit to a commercial biotech corn farm, was held on April 2-3, 2013 at Hyatt Hotel, Manila and Concepcion, Tarlac. The conference was attended by key stakeholders and partners including scientists, policymakers, farmers, and media practitioners from 18 countries in Southeast Asia and other regions. The conference highlighted the factors of biotech adoption in the three countries based on the research project titled “Adoption and Uptake Pathways of GM/Biotech Crops by Small-scale, Resource-poor Asian Farmers in China, India, and the Philippines.” The study leaders Dr. Xiaobing Wang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dr. Charudatta Mayee of the Indian Society of Cotton Improvement (ISCI), and Dr. Cleofe Torres of the University of the Philippines Los Baños presented their findings. Farmer-adopters from the Philippines and India shared their experiences in planting Bt corn and Bt cotton, respectively. ABSPII Director Dr. Frank Shotkoski also presented the public sector efforts on biotech R&D. After the presentations, a workshop was conducted which solicited inputs from the participants to identify the key factors in biotech adoption in each of the countries. The study visit to a biotech corn farm in Concepcion, Tarlac on April 3 presented the participants with the various biotech and hybrid corn varieties being developed, the refuge system, varieties in the pipeline, and experiences of farmers. The study visit enhanced the participants’ appreciation of the biotech crops. The conference was organized by The John Templeton Foundation, ABSPII, ISAAA, SEARCA, and the National Academy of Science And Technology (NAST Philippines). (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

The International Conference on the Adoption of Biotech Crops in the Developing World: Case Studies of Farmers from China, India, and the Philippines involved a workshop about recommendations for biotech adoption.

High school students watched and evaluated four Bt eggplant short videos during the Biotech Film Showing.

Four (4) short videos featuring introductory topics on the development of the Bt eggplant project in the Philippines were shown and pretested to 174 high school students from Cayetano

Arellano High School, Araullo High School, and Victorino Mapa High School during the Biotech Film Showing of the 9th National Biotechnology Week on November 29, 2013 at Universidad de Manila, City of Manila. Feedback from the survey pre-test was generally positive; the students stated that they learned and understood the topics and expressed their support for using biotechnology for local agriculture. Each short video presented the following topics: 1) importance of eggplant in the Philippines; 2) the fruit and shoot borer and its damage to eggplant farming; 3) what is a Bt eggplant; and 4) what is ‘Bt’ in Bt eggplant. At least 11 short videos about Bt eggplant in the Philippines are under development to tackle various aspects such as plant breeding, the background and status of the project, the role of and compliance to biosafety regulatory system, project collaborators, and testimonials from farmers and scientists, among others. The videos were popularized and targeted the Filipino general public. It is also intended to be aired in mainstream television and uploaded in relevant websites. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

4 Vol. IX, No. 2

Pangasinan Governor and Provincial Council Briefed on Bt Eggplant Project

Pangasinan provincial board members are updated on the development and safety of Bt eggplant during their regular session on December 2, 2013.

Governor of the Province of Pangasinan Amado Espino and members of the provincial council were briefed by study leader and project

members Dr. Lourdes Taylo, Mr. Mario Navasero, and Dr. Maria Luz Sison on the science, safety, and potential benefits of Bt eggplant on November 27 and December 2 at the Provincial Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan. On November 27, Dr. Taylo and Mr. Navasero explained to Gov. Espino how the project was developed in the country, the safety of the technology, as well as its long history of safe use. Gov. Espino expressed his interest in planting Bt eggplant after the briefing and recognized its advantage to the province. He asked the project team to also inform and explain the project and the technology to the Committees of Agriculture and Health of the provincial council. The provincial board members were briefed on December 2 by Dr. Taylo and Dr. Sison. Institutional Biosafety Committee member in Pangasinan Dr. Reynaldo Segui, Jr. also presented the regulatory compliance and activities of the field trial. The briefing got the attention of provincial council members; questions were raised on the safety of Bt technology and the potential benefits of Bt eggplant in the province. The queries also centered on the decision of the Philippine Court of Appeals to halt the multi-location field trials. Dr. Taylo explained that the research project is fully compliant with the country’s regulatory policies and guidelines. She also emphasized that globally, there is no peer-reviewed scientific evidence pointing to any danger of the technology. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino is briefed by Bt eggplant project members and collaborators Dr. Lourdes Taylo, Mr. Mario Navasero, Ms. Jenny Panopio, and Dr. Reynaldo Segui Jr.

IBC member in Pangasinan Dr. Reynaldo Segui also briefed the provincial board members on the biosafety compliance of the field trials.

Vol. IX, No. 2 5

Workshop on Potato Breeding Concludes in Bukitinggi, Indonesia

The “Workshop on The Role of Biotechnology in Potato Breeding and its Regulations in Indonesia” for farmers and government officials was conducted for the first

time in Kota Bukittinggi on July 4, 2013. The topics covered by the speakers from ICABIOGRAD include: potato variety improvement through conventional breeding by Dr. Edy Listanto; biotechnology applications in potato trait improvement by Dr. Dinar Ambarwati; and biotechnology products and its regulations in Indonesia by Prof. M. Herman. Ir. Melwizardi, Msi, head of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Kota Bukittinggi, expressed his enthusiasm towards the cooperation between DA and Indonesia Biotechnology Center (IndoBIC) in conducting workshop and training for the farmers and government officials in the area. He said that potato is being planted extensively in Kota Bukittinggi and east Agam and farmers are facing problems of disease and post-harvest losses, which can be solved by new technologies. The farmer participants learned the applications of biotechnology in potato as well as new cultivation techniques which they can use in their farmers to increase potato yield and income. They are hoping that biotech crops especially biotech potato could be commercialized in the near future in Indonesia. The workshop brought together 50 farmers and agricultural officials from Kota Bukittinggi and Kabupaten Agam through the support of ABSPII in collaboration with IndoBIC, ICABIOGRAD, ISAAA, and SEAMEO BIOTROP. (DSOktavia)

Participants, resource persons, and organizers of the workshop on potato breeding in Bukitinggi.

PHOTOS TO FOLLOW (C/O DEWI).

A workshop with the theme “The role of biotechnology in potato breeding and its regulations in Indonesia” gathered 45 farmers and government officials on

September 17, 2013. It was officially opened by the Head of Agricultural Bureau of Bengkulu Province and covered the topics of potato variety improvement through conventional breeding by Ir. Kusmana of Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute; biotechnology applications in potato trait improvement by Dr. Dinar Ambarwati; and biotechnology products and its regulations in Indonesia by Prof. M. Herman of Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD). Ir. Edi Nevian, Head of Agricultural Bau of Bengkulu welcomed the participants and emphasized that biotechnology is necessary, especially in Bengkulu. They have a red potato variety which is expected to be one of the primary products in Indonesia once new traits are incorporated to increase its productivity. The participants also expressed their enthusiasm on the application of biotech crops. Farmer participants fully supported the idea that biotechnology can be a tool to help them improve potato yield and increase their income. They are hoping that biotech crops, especially biotech potato, could be commercialized in the near future. The workshop was organized by ABSPII in collaboration with IndoBIC, ICABIOGRAD, ISAAA, and SEAMEO BIOTROP. (DSOktavia)

Farmers and Agricultural Officers in Bengkulu, Indonesia Oriented on Biotech Potato

communication opportunities through the social media. For the workshop, the participants were divided according to the following groups: IBC (Institutional Biosafety Committee), genetics, breeding, entomology, and outreach/communication/socio-economics. The groups were then asked to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

ABSPII Project Members and Collaborators Participate in Review and Planning Workshop (continued from page 6)

Southeast Asian Media Practitioners Trained on Biotechnology (continued from page 6)

several stories in print, TV, radio, and online media on the global and local benefits of biotechnology. The workshop was organized by ABSPII, ISAAA, SEARCA, SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology, and Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center (IndoBIC). (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

SoutheaSt aSIa offIcedr. desiree m. hauteaRegional Coordinator Institute of Plant BreedingUniversity of the Philippines Los BañosCollege 4031 Laguna PhilippinesTelefax: +63 49 5365140

uS offIceInternational programs213 Rice Hall, Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 USA Tel.: +1 607 2556357 Fax: +1 607 2558186Email: absp2@cornell.edu

ABSPII is a USAID-funded consortium of public and private sector institutions that supports scientists, regulators, and the general public in developing countries to make informed decisions about agricultural biotechnology. Where demand exists, ABSPII focuses on the safe and effective development and commercialization of bio-engineered crops as a complement to traditional and organic agricultural approaches. The project helps boost food security, economic growth, nutrition, and environmental quality in East and West Africa, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Additional information about ABSPII projects can be found at http://www.absp2.cornell.edu/

This newsletter is also available athttp://www.isaaa.org/Programs/supportprojects/abspii/

Vol. IX No. 1aprIl – december 2013

Editorial TeamRandy A. HauteaDesiree M. HauteaMariechel J. NavarroRhodora R. AldemitaJenny A. Panopio

Writers/ContributorsRandolph N. CandanoSophia M. MercadoDewi S. OktaviaJenny A. PanopioReynaldo B. QuilloyLourdes D. Taylo

Design and LayoutSophia M. Mercado/Clement Dionglay

SoutheASt ASIA

Newsletter

A B S PII

Thirty-two (32) multi-media practitioners and representatives from public research agencies and the private sector were enlightened on crop biotechnology, its global and local importance and products during the “Biotechnology and Biosafety for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture: A Regional Workshop for Media Practitioners”. It was held at Novotel Bogor Golf

Resort and Convention Center, Bogor, Indonesia on November 12-13, 2013. The workshop centered on the role of biotech and biosafety in enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture and involved lectures on the global status, benefits, and future prospects of agri-biotech, upcoming biotech crops in the Philippines (Bt eggplant) and Indonesia (drought tolerant sugarcane), developments and challenges in biotech R&D and biosafety for the public and private sector, a farmers’ successful experience in planting biotech corn, a scientist’s experience in dealing with the media, science journalists’ take on responsible biotech reporting, and a lecture and writeshop on effective biotech communication. Aside from being informed on various aspects of biotech and biosafety, the media practitioners were also able to interview the scientist-resource persons and clarify issues about biotechnology and its potentials in solving global food and environmental problems. The interactions generated the publication and airing of

Southeast Asian Media Practitioners Trained on Biotech Reporting

Participants, resource persons, and organizers of the regional media workshop.

ABSPII Project Members and Collaborators Participate in Review and Planning Workshop

ABSPII technical staff, project collaborators, and partners of the Bt eggplant project took part in the

“Capacity Building on Biotechnology: A Communication and Review and Planning Workshop” on May 8-10, 2013 at Flushing Meadows Hotel, Panglao Island, Bohol. Thirty (30) study leaders, technical and project staff members from UPLB, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), University of Southern Mindanao, Visayas State University, and Cotton Development Administration-Iloilo, were briefed on effective media interviews for print and radio by science media practitioners from the Philippine Science Journalists Association, Inc. (PSciJourn) Ms. Lyn Resurreccion and Ms. Melly Tenorio. They were also updated on the communication initiatives and activities of SEARCA BIC, and were given a short background on

Capacity building workshop with ABSPII Bt eggplant project collaborators.

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