Mindanao farmers decry Bt corn hunger strikers

Mindanao farmers Mr. Edwin Paraluman, Mr. Felix Cordero, and Mr. Rod Bioco representing the Nursery Farmers Irrigators Association, Matatag Farmers Irrigators Association and San Isidro Integrated Agro-Industrial Multipurpose Cooperative (SINAG-MPC), and Philippine Maize Federation, lamented over the refusal of the anti-Bt corn hunger strikers to engage in a dialogue with DA officials and scientists.

Diliman - Mindanao farmers Mr. Edwin Paraluman, Mr. Felix Cordero, and Mr. Rod Bioco representing the Nursery Farmers Irrigators Association, Matatag Farmers Irrigators Association and San Isidro Integrated Agro-Industrial Multipurpose Cooperative (SINAG-MPC), and Philippine Maize Federation, lamented over the refusal of the anti-Bt corn hunger strikers to engage in a dialogue with DA officials and scientists. " We have come all the way from General Santos City to meaningfully talk with them and let them understand why we need Bt corn to improve our yields," stressed Mr. Paraluman. " We came to discuss our common concerns but they did not come to listen. They do not know our difficulties in controlling the Asiatic corn borer; the hunger strikers do not know a farmer's life. This technology can greatly improve our present yields because of the additional protection, " says Mr. Cordero. " Our thousands- strong member-farmers strongly support the use of Bt corn considering that farmers abroad are already benefiting from the technology. Why should Filipino farmers be deprived? " emphasized Mr. Bioco, President of PhilMaize Federation.

The public dialogue was scheduled by the Department of Agriculture to address the issues raised by the hunger strikers. Concerned with their physical safety, Secretary Lorenzo appealed to the nine hunger strikers to end their fasting and instead participate in a democratic discussion about GMOs, particularly on Bt corn. However, these have fallen on deaf ears as the group did not give the government including the members of the Scientific and Technical Review panel a chance to clarify the issues and concerns raised by the hunger strikers as the group wanted to " lie down and rest" according to Mr. Verzola.
The strike was staged as a protest on the commercial propagation of Bt Corn and to demand for a moratorium.

Meanwhile, the Mindanao farmers urged the Department and the scientists present to recognize their problems and to continue helping them improve their agricultural productivity. "We cannot always be around to attend dialogues and counteract the anti-GMO campaign because our farms need us. So please help us and make it possible for us to try Bt corn," adds Mr. Paraluman.

The Department of Agriculture has approved the commercial release for propagation of Bt corn-MON810 in December 2002. These corn plants that produce proteins that kill the Asiatic corn borer, a major insect pest of corn, shall be ready for harvesting in April-May. These are planted in Ilocos, Pangasinan, Isabela, and Camarines Sur. Already, farmers who have planted the Bt corn have reported the effective response of the plants in controlling the corn borers.

Reference:    Ms. Sonny P. Tababa
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