Science Speaks - Blog by ISAAA
  • Science Speaks
  • ISAAA’s Rhodora Romero-Aldemita on Science Career, Advice for Young Women, and Her Aspirations for Asia’s Agriculture

ISAAA’s Rhodora Romero-Aldemita on Science Career, Advice for Young Women, and Her Aspirations for Asia’s Agriculture

By Clement Dionglay
March 2, 2022

On February 11, the world celebrated the annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It is implemented by UNESCO, celebrated to promote women and girls in science. The celebration is also an opportunity to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. As part of the global celebration, CropLife Asia (CLA) featured ISAAA Inc. Executive Director Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita in their Asia's Farm to Fork 5 Good Questions Podcast hosted by Duke Hipp, CLA's Director for Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships.


International Women's Day 2022 theme is centered on a world free of bias, streotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. IWD2022 forges women's equality to collectively #BreakTheBias.

To start the observance of Women's History Month (March) and to celebrate International Women's Day (March 8), Science Speaks is featuring Dr. Romero-Aldemita's interview where she provides essential advice to young women who are–or wants to–exploring a career in science, along with her views on the adoption of modern agriculture. Dr. Romero-Aldemita also discussed how the different forms of agricultural technology can help improve the lives of farmers and the food supply chain in Asia.

In the CLA podcast, Dr. Romero-Aldemita looked back at her younger self and their family, citing the inspiration she got from her mother who used to be a science teacher. She said that as a young student, she dreamed of becoming a medical doctor, but financial constraints prevented her from pursuing that. However, it allowed her to pursue agriculture and biotechnology, which are equally challenging pursuits. "With hard work and persistence, I completed my education through scholarships and fellowships," she proudly stated.


On being a role model to young women pursuing science, Dr. Romero-Aldemita focused on the plight of Asian women being regarded as second-class citizens. She cited that in the Philippines, women have to juggle between career and family, but in the academe and research institutions, there are more women than men. "For young women who would like to follow my path… the challenge is to build your career and at the same time build your family but with close support – you will go [sic] crazy if you don’t have any support.”

Dr. Romero-Aldemita added, “My advice to young women is, build your confidence, don’t be shy, approach your science idols – talk to them, show them what you got, and that will lead to collaborations and partnerships... When I was building my career, I grabbed every opportunity that opens... and it educated me and opened doors for more opportunities for networking.”


On the adoption and commercialization of biotech crops, Dr. Romero-Aldemita said that political will is very important as it plays an important role in the process which is also influenced by farmers and consumers. She explained, “Educating our policymakers, farmers, and consumers on the productivity and benefits of the products of modern biotechnology is really essential. Our politicians should know what the benefits will bring to the country in terms of food sustainability.”

“Farmers are the most intelligent sector of the food value chain stakeholders – because they have studied the crops, what crops and traits are suitable for their land, what time of the year should they be planted, and others. So making these new products of modern agriculture available to them will ensure that they are being helped. How do we make these available? By enabling the government capacities through regulation and providing the necessary technologies, the know-how, on how these new improved crops and traits will be used. There should be harmonization and synchronicity in product approvals so that the trade is not disrupted.”

Dr. Romero-Aldemita also said that there is a lot to be done for Asia's agriculture. “The Asian region is the highest rice-eating part of the world, and rice sufficiency is still a problem. If GM rice with different traits, or products or modern technology – be it GM or gene-edited – it will be a dream come true if it will come true in ten years.”

For the full podcast, listen in to hear Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita's hopes and dreams of a world where policymakers would see the importance of ensuring farmers get access to modern technology, and also the adoption of it to ensure a better world that is food secure.



Newer Post Archive Older Post