Farmers, local government constituents, and other key stakeholders in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines expressed their backing for, and willingness to adopt Bt talong (eggplant) by signing a declaration of support for its commercialization during a seminar with key people involved in the development and commercialization of Bangladesh’s Bt brinjal last July 27, 2017 at Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Sta. Maria Campus.

Dr. Md. Kamrul Hasan, Principal Scientific Officer, On-Farm Research Division of Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI); Ms. Zawata Afnan, Assistant Director for the Department of Environment of Bangladesh; Dr. Mohammad Abdur Rashid, Principal Scientific Officer of the Agricultural Economics Division of BARI; and Dr. Gour Pada Das, Former Coordinator of Feed the Future Eggplant Project, shared their experiences and lessons in terms of research and development, regulatory measures employed upon Bt brinjal’s commercialization, and the learnings and challenges linked to farmer adoption in the Media Conference, Interaction and Field Visits with Bt Brinjal Stakeholders from Bangladesh held on July 26-28, 2017 in Quezon City and Pangasinan, Philippines.

Bt eggplant project and study leaders Dr. Desiree Hautea and Dr. Lourdes Taylo of UPLB also presented the development, safety, regulation, and potential benefits of Bt talong in the Pangasinan seminar.

The media conference was attended by members of the press, scientists, and key partners, while the seminar gathered farmers and local government units from 10 districts of Pangasinan province, as well as students and faculty of PSU. Both activities served as platforms for the participants to ask their questions and voice their concerns about Bt brinjal adoption, biotechnology, and how lessons from Bangladesh can be applied in the Philippines.

The three-day activity was organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Biotechnology Program Office and ISAAA. The seminar, meanwhile, was held in partnership with the Municipality of Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, and PSU-Sta. Maria Campus.

(First published on Crop Biotech Update (ISAAA Newsletter), http://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=15664, August 2, 2017.)