Bt Corn Mainstreamed

This article explores the use of genetically modified Bt corn in the Philippines. The use of such corn was allowed beginning in December of 2002. Since that time, the area planted in biotech corn has reached a total of 702,000 hectares, involving 400,000 farming families. According to the Philippines Statistics Authority, 70 percent of the total corn harvested in the country is Bt corn. Dr. Randy A. Hautea, the global coordinator and Southeast Asia director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, said, the upward trajectory in adoption of biotech corn “reflects the significant and consistent benefits generated by biotech maize to farmers here. About 65 percent of the total yellow corn of the country is actually GM, the 350,000 to 400,000 farming families are now directly dependent on GM corn production.” Dr. Cleofe S. Torres, of the UPLB-College of Development Communication, said research has shown that farmers’ incomes tripled with Bt corn as compared to traditional corn.

For more, please contact Meridian Institute 8 August 2016  Food security and AgBiotech News