The Philippine Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Research and Development and Regulations, Segfredo Serrano, received the declaration of support for the commercial planting of the fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant._x000D_
_x000D_
Copies of the declarations were handed over Sept. 30 by biotech corn farmer Edwin Paraluman during the Forum on the Global Alliance for Agri-biotech Model on Low-level Presence and GM and Organic Farming Co-existence in the City of Iloilo on Panay Island._x000D_
_x000D_
After learning about the science, safety and potential benefits of Bt eggplant from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the declarations were signed by nearly 700 Filipino farmers, scientists and other agribusiness stakeholders._x000D_
_x000D_
“I would hope that there will come a day when we don’t need exhaustive resources to get a petition for government to appreciate, and to remind us to push a particular issue that is a legitimate right for our farmers and our stakeholders,” Serrano said, after recognizing farmers’ sentiments._x000D_
_x000D_
Desiree Hautea, project leader and proponent of Bt eggplant in the Philippines from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, first introduced Bt eggplant to the country to help address the yield loss caused by borers, lessen pesticide usage and labour, improve human and environmental health, and ultimately increase farmers’ profits._x000D_
_x000D_
Paraluman said he has been waiting for Bt eggplant for a long time. “If I will get rich in planting corn, the more I will get rich in planting eggplant,” he said. “Because I have planted eggplant, but 70 to 90 per cent have been damaged because of the eggplant borer. With Bt eggplant, we will also have less spraying so it’s good for the health.” Source: ISAAA.
