Filipino Biotech Stakeholders Convene in Seminar on Global Status of Biotech Crops

Vol IX No 1jaNuary - march 2013

NewsletterA B S PIIAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

Southeast Asia

The first season of eggplant on-farm trials was completed in April 2013 with multilocation field trials conducted in four sites, namely, Sta. Maria, Pangasinan; UP Los Baños, Laguna; Central Bicol State University of Agriculture

(CBSUA), Pili, Camarines Sur; and Cotton Development Administration (CODA), Sta. Barbara, Iloilo. The selected UPLB-developed eggplants that included three open-pollinated (OP) lines and four F1 hybrids together with National Seed Industry Council (NSIC)-approved commercial checks were evaluated in replicated field trials for agronomic performance and horticultural characteristics, efficacy against the eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB) and reaction to other arthropod pests and diseases. These sets of data are among the requirements of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for variety registration of vegetables. The Vegetable Technical Working Group of the NSIC set the criteria for the approval of new varieties that included having comparable or superior yield over the check varieties, in addition to a dominant major character that surpasses the check variety. The standard cultural management practices in eggplant production were followed in all trial sites. A variety intended for regional release requires two seasons (dry and wet) of field evaluations in two sites, while for variety for national release needs four seasons of field evaluations in four to six sites. The test materials were the non-Bt counterparts of the UPLB-developed Bt eggplant OP lines and F1 hybrids expressing MAHYCO event EE-1 that completed multi-location field testings in four sites across the country from 2010 to 2012. (LD Taylo)

Season 1 of On-Farm Field Trialsof Improved Eggplants Completed

Dr. Clive James of ISAAA reports the global status of commercialized biotech crops in 2012 to Filipino agriculture stakeholders.

The “Special Seminar and Media Conference on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2012” at Hyatt Hotel, Manila held on February 27, 2013

launched ISAAA’s Annual Report, the ISAAA Brief No. 44: Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2012. It gathered more than a hundred biotech key stakeholders in the country including project collaborators, scientists, institutional biosafety committee members and regulators, farmer leaders, local government units, and the media. ISAAA Founder and Chairman Dr. Clive James reported the global increase in biotech crop adoption in 2012 as well as the significant global impacts. He shared his perspectives on lessons learned on how to “facilitate and optimize adoption” of biotech crops in a country. The developments in national corn industry from a decade of of biotech corn adoption in the Philippines were presented by National Corn Competitiveness Board (NCCB) Executive Director Salvador Umengan. A media conference was also held after the seminar. Ms. Rosalie Ellasus, a successful biotech corn farmer and Bt eggplant project supporter from the province of Pangasinan, shared her experiences and benefits gained from biotech corn adoption. The media practitioners were able to interview biotech experts Dr. James, ISAAA SEAsiaCenter Director and Global Coordinator Dr. Randy Hautea, and ISAAA South Asia’s Bhagirath Choudhary, and biotech adoptor Ms. Ellasus on their insights on biotech adoption. The seminar and media conference organized with ISAAA and the National Academy of Science and Technology. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

On-farm demo trial of UPLB developed improved eggplants at CODA, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

farmers and Indofood has been running well.5. No guidance in processing granola potatoes. When the potatoes are harvested, the growers have to sell all their crops accordingly to market prices. In fact, during the harvest, market prices are likely to fall. The Department of Agriculture claimed that they have conducted trainings and technical assistances on how to manufacture

potato starch and potato chips. The farmers also identified the criteria for good seeds: high production seeds; consumer preference (They want to buy the seeds.); and resistance to diseases. In general, farmers are interested in biotech seed potatoes, because of its resistance to leaf blight disease. However, they only agree to adopt it if they have seen directly the evidence of its ability. Hence the first demonstration plots should be conducted in their areas. In addition, the farmers want low price seeds, especially if the productivity levels are not too different between granola and biotech potatoes.

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IndoBIC Concludes Public Perception Survey on Biotech Potato in Indonesia

Bt Eggplant Communication Strategies Featured in ISAAA Brief No. 45

A public perception survey research on biotech potato in Indonesia was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 in several potato-growing areas in four

provinces in the country namely North Sumatra (Berastagi, Kemantren, Merek, Tiga Panah and Karo Regency), West Java (Pangalengan and Garut), Central Java (Dieng-Wonosobo) and East Java (Tosari-Pasuruan). The survey aimed to explore people’s understanding and images of the new technology; know what the public’s needs and wants about agri-biotech; get the public’s opinion on biotechnology development; and assess public attitudes towards agricultural biotechnology in Indonesia. Around 25-40 farmers, traders and agriculture officers participated in each area. Some problems faced by farmers in the cultivation and marketing of potatoes were identified:

1. Declining production. This is because farmers usually use the seeds repeatedly. However, some farmers said that the decline in production was also due to the low quality seeds available in the market.

2. Tendency for increase in chemical cost. This is especially the case in the rainy season where the late blight attack also increases.

3. No price guarantee for potato granola in the market. Prices tend to be fluctuating. This condition is exacerbated by the influx of imported potatoes in the market that could potentially bring down the price.

4. Lack of partnerships between farmers, especially in potato granola type. Farmers are disadvantaged because the suppliers sort up to 80% of the potato harvests from farmers. Potatoes are returned to the farmers because they do not meet the criteria set by the supermarket. For the atlantic type, however, partnerships between the

The communication strategies for the outreach activities of the Bt eggplant project in the Philippines were discussed in the latest ISAAA Briefs No. 45 “From Monologue to Stakeholder Engagement: The Evolution of Biotech

Communication” by Dr. Mariechel J. Navarro, Kristine Grace Natividad-Tome, and Kaymart A. Gimutao. Ms. Jenny A. Panopio, Special Projects Coordinator and Ms. Sophia M. Mercado, Information and Communication Assistant, both of SEARCA BIC, wrote in their article “Communication Strategies for Fruit and Shoot Borer Resistant Bt Eggplant Outreach” about the need for accurate information and education and conducting parallel activities with the R&D progress of the project so that key stakeholder’s awareness and understanding of the Bt eggplant research and development will be enhanced. Also cited in the article is the enhancement of capacities of the technical collaborators of the project on biotechnology communication and biosafety compliance, which was among the initial steps undertaken for the introduction of Bt eggplant to stakeholders. Among the lessons learned from the biotech outreach experience are nurturing partnerships and goodwill with partners and key stakeholders and continuously promoting a learning culture on agri-biotechnology by providing avenues for knowledge exchange. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

Farmer-respondents of the survey on public perception on biotech potato in Indonesia.

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As an outreach activity in the Philippine House of Representatives, SEARCA BIC partnered with the Offices of Congressman Angelo Palmones of AGHAM Party-list

and Congressman Agapito Guanlao of BUTIL Party-list, the House Committees on Science and Technology, Agriculture and Food, and the Special Committee on Food Security, as well as several government research and development (R&D) institutions, science agencies, and biotech organizations for a four-day biotech exhibit and seminars for policymakers and media practitioners in Congress on January 21-24, 2013. With the theme “Pinoy Biotech Products: Contributing to Sustainable Agriculture, Improved Health, and Better Environment”, the biotech exhibit showcased the developments in Philippine biotechnology, including the country’s successful decadelong adoption of biotech corn, the national biosafety regulatory system, and the various advancements of biotech in local agriculture, health, and the environment. Separate biotech seminars for Congress-based media practitioners and the policymakers themselves briefed the House constituents on the applications and potentials of biotech in the country. Resoource persons were NAST Academicians and local biotech officials and experts including Academician Evelyn Mae Mendoza, UPLB-BIOTECH Director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora, and Dean of UP Manila’s College of Public Health Dr. Nina Gloriani. They talked about the role and opportunities of biotech in the Philippine development, and the food and environmental safety of biotech crops. Successful farmer leader from Pangasinan Ms. Rosalie Ellasus also shared her experiences in farming biotech corn. The policymakers who attended the seminar expressed their openness to the technology after learning about the science of biotech and its adoption in the country from the experts. The partner agencies and organizations for this activity are the University of the Philippines Los Baños - National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (UPLB-BIOTECH), UPLB – Crop Science Cluster - Institute of

Students and faculty members of Palawan State University (PSU) in Puerto Princesa City and South Hill School, Inc. in Los Baños, Laguna, as well as some students from the Southern Tagalog region,

learned about crop biotechnology through a forum, an exhibit, and contests in separate outreach activities participated in by the IEC team in January and March 2013. A biotechnology forum with the theme “Harnessing Biotechnology for Sustainable Plant Health” was held by the Philippine Phytopathological Society on March 4, 2013 in PSU. Ms. Jenny A. Panopio, SEARCA BIC Network Administrator and Project Coordinator, served as resource speaker on biotechnology and its applications, the global and Philippine status of biotech adoption and the public sector products in the pipeline which include the ABSPII-supported Bt eggplant. The forum was attended by PSU students, researchers, and agriculture program officers. On January 24-25, South Hill School Inc.’s Science-Math Fair carrying the theme “Wonder, Investigate, Innovate” invited various schools from Region 4 (Southern Tagalog region) to participate in the SEARCA BIC-sponsored essay-writing and postermaking contests for high school students. A biotech exhibit was also displayed in the school, featuring the student-popular BiotechToons jigsaw puzzles and ISAAA and SEARCA BIC information materials on crop biotech. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

Philippine Policymakers Educated on Local Biotech R&D

Forum, Exhibit, and Contests Brief Students on Biotech

Philippine policymakers and media practitioners alike were enlightened on biotechnology and its R&D in the country during the biotech outreach exhibit and seminars in the House of Representatives.

Plant Breeding (UPLBCSC-IPB), National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Philippine Science Journalists Association, Inc. (PSciJourn), Program for Biosafety Systems Philippines (PBS Philippines), and Department of Agriculture (DA). Contributors to the exhibit include the DA and its attached agencies, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and several of its R&D councils, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the different campuses of the University of the Philippines System, Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP), and Biotech for Life Media and Advocacy Resource Center (BMARC). (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

SEARCA BIC biotech exhibit at the South Hill School Science-Math Fair.

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. 1jaNuary - march 2013

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

Writers/ContributorsSophia M. MercadoJenny A. PanopioLourdes D. Taylo

Design and LayoutClement Dionglay

SoutheASt ASIA

Newsletter

A B S PII

Municipal agriculture officers, agriculturists, and extension workers from the five districts of Iloilo province were enlightened on

crop biotechnology during the “Seminar on Crop Biotechnology for Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture” on January 29, 2013 in Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City. The seminar was co-organized with the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Region 6, Provincial Agriculture Office of Iloilo, and ISAAA. The participants learned about the significant global and local developments of biotech crops; the

Technical staff members of the Bt eggplant project participated in the 44th Anniversary and Annual Scientific Conference of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines held at Hotel Centro, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on March 5-8, 2013. This year’s theme

is “Government-Industry-Farmer’s Partnership: A Unified Approach in Addressing Key Challengeson Pest Management.” Three oral papers were presented during the Scientific Sessions of the Philippine Association of Entomologists, namely: (1) “Survival and Development of Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee Reared Continuously on Bt and Non-Bt Eggplants” by Maria Luz J. Sison, Lourdes D. Taylo, Joseph C. Banasihan, Desiree M. Hautea and Randy A. Hautea; (2) “Comparative Biology of Philippine Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer, Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee Reared on Natural and Artificial Diets” by Lourdes D. Taylo, Joseph C. Banasihan, Maria Luz J. Sison and Desiree M. Hautea; and (3) “Comparisons of Canopy-Dwelling Non-target Arthropod Communities in Open Pollinated Transgenic Bt and Non-Bt Eggplant in Four Multi-Location Trials Sites in the Philippines” by Mario V. Navasero, Randolph N. Candano, Joseph P. Manipol, Desiree M. Hautea, Randy A. Hautea, Maria Dulce J. Mostoles and Concepcion R. Bravo. A poster paper entitled “Population and Community Level Comparisons of Canopy Dwelling Non-target Arthropod Communities in Hybrid Transgenic Bt and Non-Bt Eggplants in Four Multi-location Trial Sites in the Philippines” by Mario V. Navasero, Randolph N. Candano, Desiree M. Hautea, Randy A. Hautea, Maria Dulce J. Mostoles and Concepcion R. Bravo was also presented during the poster sessions of the scientific meeting. (LD Taylo)

Crop Biotech Seminar Held for Iloilo Agri Extension Workers

ABSPII Technical Staff Members Participate in Annual PMCP Events

science, safety, and potential benefits of Bt eggplant; the government’s thrust and efforts on agri-biotech; the country’s science-based biosafety policies, guidelines and regulations; the safety of Bt technology; and a study on the impacts of insecticide residues in eggplant farms that emphasizes the need for safer technologies such as the Bt eggplant. ISAAA Global Coordinator and SEAsiaCenter Director Dr. Randy Hautea, Bt eggplant project leader Dr. Desiree Hautea, DA-Biotech Program Office OIC-Director Dr. Candida Adalla, Vice-chair of the Biotech Core Team of the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry Ms. Merle Palacpac, entomologist and DA-Scientific and Technical Review Panel member Dr. Emiliana Bernardo, and UP Manila professor Dr. Jinky Leilani Lu were resource persons. After the seminar, a workshop on identifying the challenges and needs in biotech adoption in their respective areas/municipalities was held. The seminar and workshop also became an opportunity for the government agriculture officers to clarify their concerns regarding biotechnology and Bt eggplant. One of the approved Bt eggplant field trial sites in the country is in Iloilo. (JA Panopio and SM Mercado)

Technical staff Randolph Candano and Joseph Banasihan with the poster “Population and Community Level Comparisons of Canopy-Dwelling Non-target Arthropod Communities in Hybrid Transgenic Bt and Non-Bt Eggplants in Four Multi-location Trial Sites in the Philippines” at the 44th Anniversary and Annual Scientific Conference of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines.

Ms. Merle Palacpac of DA-BPI briefs agriculture officers of Iloilo on the biosafety regulatory policies and guidelines.