Publications on Social and Economic Aspects of Biotech Crop Adoption Launched

“Facing the Media” Workshop Trains Bt Eggplant Researchers and Collaborators

Vol. X No. 1jaNuary - july 2014

NewsletterA B S PIIAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

Southeast Asia

Bt eggplant technical staff Mr. John Carlo Marasigan presents his group’s message map.

AsacapacitybuildingactivityfortheBteggplantteam,collaborators,andregulators,a“FacingtheMedia”WorkshopInc.washeldonJune18-19,2014atRichmondeHotel,Ortigas,Manila.Theworkshop,facilitatedbythemediagroupProbeMediaFoundation,Inc.,preparedtheconstituentsfromtheUniversityofthePhilippinesLosBaños(UPLB),DepartmentofAgriculture,FoodandDrugAdministration,andotherkeyagenciesinhandlingvariousmediainterviewscenariosfocusingonbiotechissuesthroughanexercisewhereseasonedjournalistsMs.BoomaCruz,Ms.ReginaRosero,andMr.AriesRufoassumedtheroleofreporterswithdifferentpersonalities,interviewedtheparticipants,andcritiquedtheirresponses. Alsoamongthehighlightsoftheworkshopwerelecturesontheimportanceofemotionalappealandsimplicityandclarityinstatements.Ms.MiriamGraceGo,NewsEditorofthesocialnewsnetworkRappler,alsopresentedtheparticipantswithanoverviewofthePhilippinemediaandtheneedsofvariousmediaoutfitsandchannels.ProbeVicePresidentMs.VictoriaOrtegaimpartedlessonsonincorporatingemotionandhumaninterestformoreinteresting,fact-basedstories.Theactivitywasco-organizedbytheInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications(ISAAA)andSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture-BiotechnologyInformationCenter(SEARCABIC).(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

Thebook“SocioeconomicImpactsofBtEggplant:Ex-anteCaseStudiesinthePhilippines”andmonographs“AdoptionandUptakePathwaysofGM/BiotechCropsbySmall-scale,Resource-PoorFilipinoFarmers”and“CadresofChange:TransformingBiotechFarmersinChina,India,andthePhilippines”wereintroducedtokeystakeholdersandmediainthePhilippinesduringtheSocial and Economic Dimensions of Biotech Crop Adoption: Book Launch and Media ConferenceheldonFebruary6,2014atDusitThaniHotel,MakatiCity. The“SocioeconomicImpactsofBtEggplant”book,co-publishedbyABSPII,theInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications(ISAAA),andtheSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture(SEARCA),presentsthestudiesonthemarketprospectsandpotentialeconomic,health,andenvironmentalimpactsoftheinsectresistantBteggplantinthePhilippines.The“AdoptionandUptakePathways”monographco-publishedwiththeUniversityofthePhilippinesLosBaños-CollegeofDevelopmentCommunication(UPLB-CDC)featuresthedynamicsoftheadoptionanduptakepathwaysofbiotech

cornamongsmall-scale,resourcepoorfarmersandthechangesithasbroughtinthefarmers’lives.The“CadresofChange”monographconsolidatesthefindingsoftheresearchproject“AdoptionandUptakePathwaysofBiotechCropsbySmall-scaleResource-poorAsianFarmers:ComparativeStudiesinChina,India,andthePhilippines”fundedbythe

Authors and editors of the new publication on Bt eggplant.

Continued next page.

Media Conference Presents Status of Philippine Biotech Crop Adoption

2 Vol. X, No. 1

CoordinatoroftheOpenForumonAgriculturalBiotechnologyinAfrica(OFAB)andAfricanAgriculturalTechnologyFoundation(AATF)Mr.DanielOtungeandSeniorManagerforCommunicationsandPartnershipsofAATFMs.NancyMuchirilearnedaboutkeybiotechinstitutions,governmentagencies,andorganizationsinthePhilippinesduringtheirvisitorganizedbyISAAAonMay21-23,2014.

In photo, center: Network Administrator and Special Projects Coordinator Ms. Maria Monina Cecilia A. Villena briefs Mr. Otunge and Ms. Muchiri on SEARCA BIC’s activities, projects, and publications.

TheMedia Conference on the Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops in 2013heldonMarch6,2014atDusitThaniHotel,MakatiCitygatheredjournalists,membersoftheacademe,governmentagencies,privatesector,non-governmentorganizations,andlocalgovernmentunits,andenlightenedthemontheglobalandlocalbiotechcropadoptionstatusandimpacts.LaunchingtheAnnualISAAAReport“ISAAABriefNo.46:GlobalStatusofCommercializedBiotech/GMCropsin2013”inthecountry,theactivityreportedthatthePhilippinesreachedaround800,000

Left to right: Dr. Segfredo Serrano, Dr. Randy Hautea, Dr. Paul Teng, Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit Jr., and Dr. Emil Q. Javier at the media conference for ISAAA Brief No. 46.

hectaresintermsofbiotechcornadoptionin2013,upfrom750,000hectaresin2012,andlandingitinthe12thplaceamongthetopbiotech-adoptingcountries. ISAAAGlobalCoordinatorandSEAsiaCenterDirectorDr.RandyHauteapresentedtheglobalstatus,trends,andsignificantbenefitsofbiotechcropadoption,whilefoodsecurityandhowbiotechcropshelpcontributeinitsvariousaspectssuchasimprovementofnutritionandagriculturalproductivitywerediscussedbyISAAAChairofBoardofDirectorsDr.PaulTeng. AlsopresentintheconferencewereUndersecretaryforPolicy,Planning,ResearchandDevelopmentofthePhilippineDepartmentofAgriculture(DA)Dr.SegfredoSerranoandformerUniversityofthePhilippines(UP)SystemPresidentandUPLosBañosChancellorDr.EmilQ.Javier,bothofwhomtalkedaboutdevelopmentsinnationalpolicyforagricultureandbiotechcrops,howbiotechcropsandmoderntechnologiesarebenefittingthecountry,andinsightsoncurrentissuessuchasthecourtcaseofBteggplant.Theyalsoreiteratedtherigoroussafetyassessmentsforthetechnologythroughthenationalbiosafetyregulatorysystem.Meanwhile,SoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture(SEARCA)DirectorDr.GilC.Saguiguit,Jr.saidinhismessagethattheCenterwillcontinuetoreinforcebiotecheducationandpromotionparticularlyindevelopingcountries,inlinewithits10thFiveYearPlanwhichseekstopromoteinclusiveandsustainableagriculturalandruraldevelopment. TheconferencewasorganizedbyISAAA,SEARCABiotechnologyInformationCenter,andtheBiotechnologyforLifeMediaandAdvocacyResourceCenter(BMARC).(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

JohnTempletonFoundation.TheresearchprojectwasledbyISAAAGlobalCoordinatorandSEAsiaCenterDirectorDr.RandyHauteaandDirectoroftheGlobalKnowledgeCenteronCropBiotechnologyofISAAADr.MariechelNavarro. Inhismessage,Dr.Hauteasaidthatthepublicationsfocusonthemoreimportantquestionsaboutthetechnologywhich

isonwelfarebenefitstofarmersandthesociety.HealsosaidthattheSocioeconomicImpactsbookisaneffortofABSPIIandUPLBtohelpdefinethefocusoftheresearchintermsofitspotentialimpact,whiletheAdoptionmonographvalidatedhowbiotechcornimprovedthelivesofsmall-scalefarmers,theirfamilies,andtheircommunities.(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

From previous page: Publications on Social and Economic Aspects of Biotech Crop Adoption Launched

Vol. X, No. 1 3

Philippine Regulators and Crop Researchers Participate in SciCom Workshop

Bt Eggplant IEC Activities in the Philippines Presented in Annual ISAAA Meeting

SciComm Workshop participants brainstorm their messages during one of the exercises.

Ms. Maria Monina Cecilia Villena of SEARCA BIC joins the discussion on biotech education and outreach.

Sciencecommunicationprinciplesandtipsincommunicatingbiotechconcerns,aswellasupdatesoncropbiotechnology,itsglobalandlocalstatusandbenefits,thenationalbiosafetyregulatorysystemwereimpartedto45regulators,researchers,andofficersofthePhilippineDepartmentofAgriculture’s(DA),BureauofPlantIndustry(BPI),FertilizerandPesticideAuthority(FPA),PhilippineFiberIndustryDevelopmentAuthority(PhilFIDA),andPhilippineRiceResearchInstitute(PhilRice)basedinthemajorislandgroupsofVisayasandMindanaoduringtheScienceCommunicationWorkshop:EnhancingBiotechKnowledgeandCommunicationSkillsonApril1-2,2014atCebuParklaneInternationalHotel,CebuCity. Topicsinthetwo-dayactivityincludehowbiotechcropscontributetofoodsecurityandsustainableagricultureanditsglobalwidespreaduseamongfarmersbyInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications(ISAAA)GlobalCoordinatorandSEAsiaCenterDirectorDr.RandyA.Hautea;theDA’spolicy,R&D,andinformation,education,andcommunication(IEC)initiativesbyDA-BiotechnologyProgramOfficeProgram(DA-BPO)CoordinatorDr.AntonioA.Alfonso;thedevelopmentofthefruitandshootborerresistantBteggplantbyDr.LourdesTaylo;andpoliciesandguidelinesoftherigorousbiosafetyregulatoryframeworkofthecountryCo-chairoftheDA-BiotechCoreTeamMs.MerlePalacpac.Amongthecommunicationskillstaughtwereinfographicsdevelopmentandinteractingwiththemediaandthegeneralpublicthroughprintandradio.SciencecommunicationexpertsandfacilitatorswereDr.RhodoraR.AldemitaandMr.PanfiloDeGuzmanofISAAA;UPLBProfessorDr.CleofeS.Torres,andSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture-BiotechnologyInformationCenter(SEARCABIC)NetworkAdministratorandSpecialProjectsCoordinatorMs.MariaMoninaCeciliaA.Villena.Theactivitywasco-organizedbyISAAA,DA-BPO,andSEARCABIC.(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

Theinformation,communication,andeducation(IEC)outreachinitiativesonBteggplantinthePhilippinesweresharedwithBiotechnologyInformationCenters(BICs)fromaroundtheworldaspartofSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture(SEARCA)-BIC’s2013milestonesduringtheAnnualNetworkMeetingoftheInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications(ISAAA)atHiltonGardenInn,Hanoi,VietnamonMarch18-20,2014. IncludedintheBteggplantIECeffortsimpartedduringthemeetingweretheshortaudio-visualsegmentsonvariousaspectsofthedevelopmentofBteggplant(i.e.importanceofeggplantinthecountry,damageofthefruitandshootborerpest,andbiosafetyregulationsoffieldtrials),mediaengagementsthroughconnectingjournaliststoscientists,andregionalworkshopsforregulatorsandthemediaconductedforSoutheastAsiancountries. ThemeetingincludedanopendiscussionfacilitatedbyISAAAChairandSEARCASeniorFellowDr.PaulTengon“synergizing”theendeavorsofISAAAandtheBICnetworkinbiotecheducationandoutreach.SEARCABICSpecialProjectCoordinatorandNetworkAdministratorMs.MariaMoninaCeciliaA.Villenadiscussedchallenges,developments,andopportunitiesforbiotecheducationinthePhilippines.AlsopresentedinwasthestatusofagricultureandissuesonfoodsecurityinVietnambyDirectorGeneraloftheInstituteofAgriculturalGeneticsofVietnamAcademyofAgriculturalSciencesDr.LeHuyHamwherehealsostatedthatbiotechnologyisastrongtoolforattaininglong-termfoodsecurityandthatthereistheneedforcontinuouseducationofthepubliconbiotechnology. TheISAAABICmember-countrieswhoparticipatedinthemeetingwereEgypt,India,Indonesia,Iran,Kenya,Malaysia,Mali,Myanmar,Pakistan,Peru,Thailand,andVietnam.(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

SoutheaSt aSia officeDr. Desiree M. hauteaRegionalCoordinatorInstituteofPlantBreedingUniversityofthePhilippinesLosBañosCollege4031LagunaPhilippinesTelefax:+63495365140

uS officeinternational Programs213RiceHall,CornellUniversityIthaca,NewYork14853USATel.:+16072556357Fax:+16072558186Email: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. X No. 1jaNuary - july 2014

Editorial TeamRandyA.HauteaDesireeM.HauteaMariechelJ.NavarroRhodoraR.Aldemita

MariaMoninaCeciliaA.Villena

Writers/ContributorsSophiaM.Mercado

MariaMoninaCeciliaA.Villena

Design and LayoutClementDionglay

SoutheASt ASIA

Newsletter

A B S PII

Theback-to-backactivitiesEleventh Policy Roundtable on Building Capacities for Agricultural Competitiveness in Transition Southeast Asia: Modern Biotechnology for Food Security in a Climate Change Scenario andASEAN Integration and Regional Workshop for Media Practitioners: Communicating Biotechnology for Food Security and Sustainable Agricultureencouragedpolicymakers,mediapractitioners,andkeystakeholdersfromCambodia,Laos,Myanmar,Vietnam(CLMV),andthePhilippinestodiscussandgetupdatedoncropbiotechnologydevelopmentsintheregion. Thepolicyroundtablediscussion,facilitatedbytheChairoftheBiotechnologyAdvisoryTeamofthePhilippineDepartmentofAgricultureDr.SaturninaC.Halos,tackledthestatusandeffortsofCLMVinthedevelopmentandregulationofmodernbiotechproducts.Italsodiscussedtheimpactsofbiotechnologyonagriculture,foodsecurity,andpovertyintheregion,andexploredpossibleareasforcollaborationandcooperationinthesaidfieldasadaptationstrategyforclimatechange.ParticipantsinthediscussionwererepresentativesfromtheRoyalUniversityofAgricultureofCambodia,theMinistryofScienceandTechnologyofLaoPDR,theFoodSecurityWorkingGroupinMyanmar,andtheInstituteofAgriculturalGeneticsofVietnam.AlsoservingasresourcepersonswereFellowatPGEconomics,UnitedKingdomMr.GrahamBrookeswhopresentedtheirstudyontheeconomicandenvironmentalbenefitsofbiotechcrops,andSeniorResearcherattheIndonesianCenterforAgriculturalBiotechnologyandGeneticResourcesResearchandDevelopment(ICABIOGRAD)Dr.MuhammadHermanwhoexplainedtheneedformodernbiotech. Themediaworkshopallowedmulti-mediapractitionersinCLMVandthePhilippinestosharetheirexperiencesonhowbiotechnologyisreportedintheirrespectivecountries.Lessonsformoreaccurateandscience-basedbiotechreportingwerealsoimparted.ISAAASeniorProgramOfficerDr.RhodoraR.Aldemita,andSEARCABICSpecialProjectCoordinatorMs.MariaMoninaCeciliaA.Villenaservedasworkshopfacilitators. HeldonMay26-27,2014atBaosonInternationalHotel,Hanoi,Vietnam,theparallelactivitieswerespearheadedbytheSoutheastAsianRegionalCenterforGraduateStudyandResearchinAgriculture(SEARCA)andco-organizedwiththeInternationalServicefortheAcquisitionofAgri-biotechApplications(ISAAA),CropLifeAsia,AGBiotechVietnam,andtheAgriculturalGeneticsInstituteofVietnamAcademyofAgriculturalSciences.(MMCAVillena and SMMercado)

Biotechnology in Southeast Asia in Policy Roundtable and Media Workshop

Key stakeholders from CLMV and the Philippines discuss possible collaborations for development and advancement of biotech in the region.