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AN
official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday
cited biotechnology as the key to the country’s survival
during these crucial times when the country is
threatened by unfavorable weather conditions such as
drought and supertyphoons that can adversely affect
agricultural production.
In the
event of long dry spells —such as the one which the
country experienced halfway through the year and
supertyphoons— such as typhoons Lando, Mina and Nonoy—that
are expected to simultaneously hit the country,
biotechnology can help save the day, said Agriculture
Undersecretary for Field Operations Jose Emmanuel Paras.
Paras,
in his keynote speech during the kick-off ceremony
marking the weeklong celebration of the 3rd National
Biotechnology Week at the Bureau of Soil and Water
Management on Monday, said biotechnology could help
enhance quality of life through better health; spur
economic growth and progress through high-end
agriculture; and develop a more globally competitive
agribiotech-based trade and industry while promoting
sustainable exploration of the environment and natural
resources for the benefit of mankind.
He
credited biotechnology for cushioning the impact of the
long dry spell early this year, saying, through
biotechnology, it was able to produce more traditional
agri-fishery products such as corn for feed, and fish.
According to Paras, biotechnology is making big,
important strides not only in agriculture but in other
areas of human existence, such as in health, energy and
environment.
Paras
cited the contribution of biotechnology in helping
attain food security “while farm and fishery resources
steadily dwindle in the face of a constantly growing
population.”
According to Paras, the DA is linking hands with the
private sector and has embarked on a program to develop
more outstanding crop varieties and appropriate
technologies through biotechnology.
Paras
said the DA has started to slowly upgrade the breeding
and research laboratories, and do field-test of biotech
seeds and plant materials for use in small farms.
The DA
official also said that farmers are being educated about
the merits of availing themselves of the blessings of
biotechnology, while advising consumers that biotech
products are safe to use.
He cited
the case of Bt corn, the first genetically engineered
corn approved for commercial propagation in the
Philippines, which has been found to be resistant to the
Asian corn borer that has ravaged many corn plantations
in the region. The use of Bt corn, he said, is
cost-efficient and environment-friendly, as it cuts the
use of chemicals to rid the farms of pests.
According to Paras, there are “proudly Filipino”
transgenic crops in the pipeline, citing the GM papaya,
which has a delayed-ripening trait and one that is
resistant to the ring-spot virus.
He said,
in two years, the first edible GM crop—the Bt
eggplant—will be ready for commercial production. “Our
scientists are developing a multi-virus-resistant tomato
and virus-resistant varieties of banana and abaca,
regarded as one of the best fiber sources in the world,
which is seeing a strong revival,” he said.
Paras
also cited as a “golden example of biotech application
in agriculture” is the amazing progress of the effort to
improve the livestock and dairy industry through the
work of the Philippine Carabao Center. He said today,
the Philippine carabao, improved through the wonders of
reproductive biotechnology, has become bigger, strong
and produces more milk.
In
health and medicine, he said the application of
biotechnology ensures the cheaper supply of raw
materials through biopharming. He said the Philippines
has the expertise to grow genetically enhanced plants
and crops that are rich in minerals and essential
nutrients.
Beyond
farms, he said experts are also looking at a wide array
of medicinal plants as ingredients for pharmaceutical
products to take advantage of the country’s
biodiversity.
“We have
about 850 indigenous medicinal plants, watch with an
active pharmaceutical ingredient,” he said.
According to Paras, the second- largest sector in the
world biotechnology industry today is the medicine
sector, where investments are estimated at $58 billion,
citing a 2005 study.
He also
said the
Philippines
can learn from China’s experience in growing genetically
engineered trees to boost effort to cover the country’s
bald forests.
Through
genetic engineering, he said, the country can produce
trees that can grow faster and bigger. Moreover, he said
the Philippines can conserve and preserve wild life that
is in the brink of extinction, using the wonders of
modern biotechnology.
According to Paras, one genetically engineered tree that
may be introduced in the Philippines is the Eucalyptus
camaldulensis genetically engineered for bioremediation
of heavy-metal contaminated soils. This species may be
suitable in polluted mining areas, he said. (Biolife
News Service) |
