Newsletter - ISAAA.org · Vol. X No. 1 jaNuary - july 2014 Newsletter Agricultural Biotechnology...
4
Publications on Social and Economic Aspects of Biotech Crop Adoption Launched “Facing the Media” Workshop Trains Bt Eggplant Researchers and Collaborators Vol. X No. 1 jaNuary - july 2014 Newsletter A B S P II Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II Southeast Asia Bt eggplant technical staff Mr. John Carlo Marasigan presents his group’s message map. As a capacity building activity for the Bt eggplant team, collaborators, and regulators, a “Facing the Media” Workshop Inc. was held on June 18-19, 2014 at Richmonde Hotel, Ortigas, Manila. The workshop, facilitated by the media group Probe Media Foundation, Inc., prepared the constituents from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and other key agencies in handling various media interview scenarios focusing on biotech issues through an exercise where seasoned journalists Ms. Booma Cruz, Ms. Regina Rosero, and Mr. Aries Rufo assumed the role of reporters with different personalities, interviewed the participants, and critiqued their responses. Also among the highlights of the workshop were lectures on the importance of emotional appeal and simplicity and clarity in statements. Ms. Miriam Grace Go, News Editor of the social news network Rappler, also presented the participants with an overview of the Philippine media and the needs of various media outfits and channels. Probe Vice President Ms. Victoria Ortega imparted lessons on incorporating emotion and human interest for more interesting, fact-based stories. The activity was co-organized by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture- Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC). (MMCAVillena and SMMercado) The book “Socioeconomic Impacts of Bt Eggplant: Ex-ante Case Studies in the Philippines” and monographs “Adoption and Uptake Pathways of GM/Biotech Crops by Small-scale, Resource-Poor Filipino Farmers” and “Cadres of Change: Transforming Biotech Farmers in China, India, and the Philippines” were introduced to key stakeholders and media in the Philippines during the Social and Economic Dimensions of Biotech Crop Adoption: Book Launch and Media Conference held on February 6, 2014 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City. The “Socioeconomic Impacts of Bt Eggplant” book, co-published by ABSPII, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), presents the studies on the market prospects and potential economic, health, and environmental impacts of the insect resistant Bt eggplant in the Philippines. The “Adoption and Uptake Pathways” monograph co-published with the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Development Communication (UPLB- CDC) features the dynamics of the adoption and uptake pathways of biotech corn among small-scale, resource poor farmers and the changes it has brought in the farmers’ lives. The “Cadres of Change” monograph consolidates the findings of the research project “Adoption and Uptake Pathways of Biotech Crops by Small-scale Resource- poor Asian Farmers: Comparative Studies in China, India, and the Philippines” funded by the Authors and editors of the new publication on Bt eggplant. Continued next page.
Transcript of Newsletter - ISAAA.org · Vol. X No. 1 jaNuary - july 2014 Newsletter Agricultural Biotechnology...
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:[email protected]
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.
