Bt Eggplant Communication Strategies Shared in Asian Workshops

Eight farmers from different provinces of Indonesia visited the Philippines to learn about biotech crop adoption experiences and regulation in the Philippines during the “Farmer to Farmer Workshop: Agricultural Biotechnology Outreach and Capacity Building” at New World Hotel, Makati City on September 19-23,

2011. Scientists, regulators, biotech corn farmers and other biotech stakeholders in the country served as resource persons and shared lessons and experiences with the farmers. Workshop topics included the basic principles of modern biotechnology, its documented benefits, food safety, biosafety regulation, and socio-economics of biotech crops. The upcoming public sector biotech crops in the Philippines – Bt eggplant, delayed ripening virus resistant papaya, and Golden Rice – were also introduced to the farmers by Dr. Randy Hautea (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications), Dr. Evelyn Mae Mendoza (Institute of Plant Breeding-University of the Philippines Los Baños), and Dr. Antonio Alfonso (Philippine Rice Research Institute), respectively. The farmer participants also visited a seed processing plant and biotech corn farms in Pangasinan and Pampanga, as well as the laboratories and field trials at the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna. The farmers appreciated the lessons learned from the workshop and asserted their support of biotechnology. They also expressed that they would endorse biotechnology for agriculture to the Indonesian government. The workshop was co-organized by ISAAA, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture - Biotechnology Information Center, and the United States Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Communication and outreach initiatives for Bt eggplant project and the experiences on attitudes to plant biotechnology were shared by Ms. Jenny

Panopio of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture – Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC) during the Asia Regional Workshops on Biotech Communications held in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 24-25, and Hanoi, Vietnam on October 27-28. Attended by key decision makers (policy makers, scientists, and government officials) from Indonesia and Vietnam, the workshops aimed to develop effective spokespeople who can explain the benefits of plant biotech and respond to concerns about the technology to local stakeholders. These learning events also targeted to create an enabling environment in the region that will promote understanding and appreciation of agricultural biotechnology. Dr. Mariechel Navarro, Manager of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology of the International Service of the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), also shared public attitudes to plant biotechnology as well as the communication experiences and initiatives for Bt corn in the Philippines.

Indonesian Farmers Join Farmer-to-Farmer Workshop on BiotechCrop Adoption

Communication experts discuss strategies to enhance media interaction.

(Continued on page 2)

Indonesian farmers visit biotech corn commercial fields.

Vol VII No 2July – December 2011

NewsletterA B S PIIAgricultural Biotechnology Support Project II

Southeast Asia

2 Vol VII, No 2

7th Asian Crop Science Association Conference Held in Indonesia

ABSPII Co-organizes Workshop on Biotech and Climate Change for Media Stakeholders

The 7th Conference of the Asian Crop Science Association (ACSA) was conducted last September 27-30, 2011 at the Research Centre for Bioresources and Biotechnology, Bogor, Agricultural University

Indonesia. The Conference is conducted every three years and aims to facilitate communication among researchers on crop science. This year’s theme was “Improving Food, Energy and Environment with Better Crops”. More than 200 participants from different countries in Asia as well from the US attended the Conference. The event included lectures on food security from Dr. Paul Teng of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Dr. Randy Hautea of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). Poster and oral presentations from some of the participants were also held. The event is in accordance with the kick off meeting and workshop of the Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) Research Project on “Rice Innovation for Science Society of Japan, Japan Society of Breeding and Japan Society of Performance for Sustainable Agricultural Development in Wetlands.” It was also in line with the 48th Anniversary of Bogor Agricultural University. The Conference was supported by Bogor Agricultural University, the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI), Indonesian Consortium of Biotechnology (KBI), ISAAA, ABSP II, PBPI, and JIRCAS. (DSuryani)

three-day regional workshop on the role of biotechnology in a changing climate was conducted for 27 media practitioners from Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines,

Korea and Pakistan last July 20-22, 2011 in Jakarta and Bogor, Indonesia. In the “Status, Impacts and Future Prospects of Agri-biotechnology in a Changing Climate: A Regional Workshop for Media Practitioners”, participants learned about the different aspects and updates on food security as well as the role of biotechnology from Dr. Paul Teng, Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies and Professional Learning at the National Institute of Education, Singapore, and Dr. Randy Hautea, Director of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). Dr. Frank A. Shotkoski, Director of ABSP II, presented the upcoming public sector biotech crops and said that these products are being developed based on demand and solid socio-economic impact assessments. Bt eggplant being developed in the Philippines, Bangladesh, and India, he said, is among the most advanced public sector biotech crops in the pipeline. The importance of biotech communication was emphasized in the workshop. Biotech communication from a scientist’s point of view was discussed by Dr. Desiree Hautea, ABSP II Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator and Bt eggplant project leader in the Philippines. Science communicators who also served as resource persons include Dr. Mariechel Navarro, Manager of the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology of ISAAA, and Ms. Lyn Resurreccion, Science Editor of the Philippine daily newspaper, Business Mirror. The workshop included a study visit to the laboratory facilities and screen house of the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD) in Bogor wherein the participants were briefed about

Dr. Diani Damayanti of ICABIOGRAD (left) shows the target pest of Bt corn to media participants during their study visit to the Center in Bogor, Indonesia.

the research activities of the Center. They also saw the screen house trial of the insect resistant Bt corn and the equipment and facilities used for tissue culture, transformation and DNA isolation, among others. The workshop was co-organized by ABSP II, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology (BIOTROP), and ISAAA, with support from Crop Life Asia. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Other resource speakers in the workshop were Dr. Martina Newell-McGloughlin of the University of California Systemwide Biotechnology Research and Education Program, Dr. C.S. Prakash of Tuskegee University, Angela Dansby of Inkovation, Inc. in the USA, Ms. Jill Kuehnert of Seed Stories, and Ms. Lyn Resurreccion of Business Mirror in the Philippines. Topics in the workshop also included an overview of plant biotechnology, proactive and reactive plant biotech communications, communication strategies and tactics, and pro and con communication case studies for Bt eggplant, Bt corn and Golden Rice biotech projects. The workshop was organized by Crop Life Asia, the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD), and Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Bt Eggplant Communication Strategies Shared in Asian Workshops (From page 1)

Seminars on Biotech Potato Breeding Conducted in Indonesia

More than a 150 farmers and agricultural workers from four areas in Indonesia (Wonosobo in Central Java, Medan in North Sumatera, Malang in East Java, and

Bali) were briefed about the biotech potato and its breeding during seminars conducted in their regions. The seminars aimed to enhance the knowledge of stakeholders especially

Vol VII, No 2 3

Dr. Desiree M. Hautea, project leader of the Bt eggplant project of the University of the Philippines Los Baños and ABSP II Southeast Asia Regional Coordinator, and Dr. Lourdes D.

Taylo, project entomologist, visited the research laboratory of a known expert in the development of insect resistant management (IRM) plans for Bt crops, Dr. Anthony M. Shelton, at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York on August 31, 2011. Dr. Shelton’s research focuses on insect resistant crops. His group is also involved in the determination of the potential risks of GM crops on the growth and survival of nontarget arthropods. Candidate beneficial insects under study include predators that feed on lepidopterous pests of Bt crops. The availability of efficient protocol for mass rearing predators is very crucial in their study and in the selection of predators for evaluation. To share their understanding of the US Department of Agriculture’s policy on high dose strategy for Bt crops, telephone discussions were facilitated by Dr. Shelton for Dr. Hautea and other IRM experts in the industry. Dr. Shelton also showed the set ups for the mass rearing of different lepidopterous insects such as fall armyworm, diamondback moth and European cornborer. He also imparted valuable suggestions on data presentation of completed entomological studies for publication in scientific refereed journals. (LDTaylo)

Bt Eggplant Project Leader and Expert Visit IRM Laboratory at Cornell University

government officials and farmers on the application of biotechnology in potato crop breeding. Among the speakers in the seminars were Dr. Muhammad Herman, Drs. Edy Listanto, and Dinar Ambarwati of the Indonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development (ICABIOGRAD). Their topics focused on biotechnology products and regulations in Indonesia as well as biotechnology applications in potato trait improvement. Mr. Kusmana of the Indonesian Vegetables Research Institute (IVRI) shared information on potato variety improvement through conventional breeding. The heads of agricultural bureaus of these four areas expressed their support and enthusiasm for the introduction of late blight disease-resistant biotech potatoes because of its potential to increase crop yield. The event was jointly organized by the Indonesian Biotechnology Information Center and Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSP II), with support from SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Tropical Biology (BIOTROP), Cornell University, and the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA). (DSuryani)

Dr. Anthony M. Shelton at work in the field. (Photo from http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/links.html)

Bt Eggplant & PRSV Resistant Papaya Featured in Biotech Cartoon Contest

The fruit and shoot borer resistant Bt eggplant and the papaya ringspot virus (PRSV) resistant papaya were humanized and depicted as superior or ‘super hero’ biotech crops, fighting off

pests and virus diseases in the nationwide editorial cartoon contest “BiotechTOONS: A Contest for Cartoonists on Biotechnology” with the theme “The Benefits and Potentials of Crop Biotechnology”. The contest was organized by ISAAA, SEARCA-BIC and the International Philippine Cartoons, Comics, and Animation Inc (PICCA). The editorial cartoons also showed the crops as giving benefits to farmers, consumers, economy and the world as a whole. The participating cartoonists conveyed biotech crops as technologies that could address global issues such as food security, sustainable agriculture and climate change effects. BiotechTOONS sought to capture the perspectives of cartoonists on crop biotechnology. The contest was divided into the professional and amateur categories. Third place winner for the amateur category, Merry Joyce Bautista from Polytechnic University of the Philippines, conveyed “farmers’ choice” in her editorial cartoon which shows a farmer controlling a robot Bt eggplant and chasing away the insect borer. The other winning entries for both categories showed also Bt eggplant and PRSV resistant papaya as profit-increasing, poverty-alleviating crops, benefiting consumers and farmers. Other biotech crops such as Bt corn, Bt cotton and Golden rice were also depicted as highly beneficial crops in the entries for BiotechTOONS. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

SoutheaSt aSIa offIceDr. Desiree m. hauteaRegional Coordinator Institute of Plant BreedingUniversity of the Philippines Los BañosCollege 4031 Laguna PhilippinesTelefax: +63 49 5365140

uS offIceInternational Programs213 Rice Hall, Cornell University Ithaca, New York 14853 USA Tel.: +1 607 2556357 Fax: +1 607 2558186Email: 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 VII No 2July - December 2011

Editorial TeamRandy A. HauteaDesiree M. HauteaMariechel J. NavarroJenny A. Panopio

Writers/ContributorsJenny A. PanopioSophia M. MercadoDewi SuryaniLourdes D. Taylo

Design and LayoutClement Dionglay

SoutheASt ASIA

Newsletter

A B S PII

The celebration of the 7th Philippine National Biotechnology Week last November 21-26 included the showcasing of Bt eggplant technology through information materials and exhibits set up by the Bt eggplant communication team at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Diliman, Quezon City. Information materials on the development, safety, and status of Bt eggplant in the Philippines were distributed to students, farmers government constituents, and other stakeholders who attended the activities in the week-long event.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said in his message during the Opening Ceremony that biotechnology has a very big potential in the country. He expressed that utilizing biotechnology would contribute to more quality planting materials. The National Biotech Week celebration involved scientific fora which tackled the potentials of biotechnology for various industries conducted by co-organizing government and non-government agencies, a biotech editorial cartoon contest, a biotech journalism award, a forum for communicators and a film showing on Bt corn and other products of biotechnology. (JAPanopio and SMMercado)

Bt Eggplant and Other Biotech Crops Showcased in Philippine Biotech Week

Visitors view the BiotechTOONS Exhibit.

Third place winning entry for the amateur category conveying farmers’ choice in using Bt eggplant.

First place winning entry for the professional category.