More than a hundred farmers and municipal agriculturists and technicians from the provinces of Pangasinan, Batangas, Quezon, and Davao in the Philippines expressed full support for the commercial planting of Bt eggplant. They hoped that the seeds be made available soon, after learning about its science, safety, and potential socioeconomic benefits during the Public Dialogue on Bt Eggplant held on September 14, 2017 at SEARCA Headquarters, College, Laguna. The activity served as a platform for farmers to clarify issues about the said technology.

Reynaldo Cueto, municipal agriculturist of Balete, Batangas said that his town is open for demo trials of Bt eggplant once it is commercialized, and he hopes that the crop can soon be planted by their farmers so that they can experience its benefits. Bt eggplant project leader, Dr. Desiree Hautea, said that University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) welcomes feedback from the farmers regarding challenges in eggplant farming and other crops, and will continue to develop technologies to cater to their needs.

The other resource persons in the public dialogue were Bt eggplant study leaders and UPLB entomologists, Dr. Lourdes Taylo and Mr. Mario Navasero; and UPLB economics professor, Dr. Cesar Quicoy. The public dialogue was organized by ISAAA and SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center (SEARCA BIC).

(First published on Crop Biotech Update (ISAAA Newsletter), http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=15797, September 20, 2017.)