Science Speaks
Infographics on Biotech/GM Crops Now Available in Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano

Infographics on Biotech/GM Crops Now Available in Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano

By Clement Dionglay

May 6, 2026

Infographics are a powerful bridge between complex scientific data and public understanding by transforming dense information, such as the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of biotech or genetically modified (GM) crops, into a visually intuitive format. By combining concise text with icons, charts, and images, they help process data on the benefits of biotech/GM crops, such as crop productivity, CO2 reduction, and land conservation. This visual storytelling approach allows diverse audiences to quickly grasp the depth of biotechnology's global benefits, making intricate data more accessible, memorable, and easier to share across different languages and regions.

ISAAA Inc., through its Know the Science project with the Department of Agriculture - Biotechnology Program Office (DA-BPO), has made two infographics on biotech/GM crops available in three major Philippine languages: Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano. With these new translations, the infographics become even more accessible to learners across the Philippines, encouraging curiosity, improving science literacy, and making biotechnology easier to understand in local contexts.

Biotech Crops: Your Questions Answered

This infographic explains that biotech/GM crops are plants with novel genetic material inserted to improve agricultural or nutritional characteristics. In 2024, these crops were grown in 32 countries, including the Philippines, by approximately 17 million farmers, most of whom are small-scale farmers in developing nations. These crops provide significant benefits, such as increased productivity, biodiversity conservation, reduced CO2 emissions, and improved livelihoods for farmers and their families. Written and formatted in an engaging layout, it answers the following questions:

What are biotech/GM crops?
Where are biotech/GM crops grown?
Who plants biotech/GM crops?
What are the benefits of biotech/GM crops?

Contributions of Biotech Crops to Food Security, Sustainability, and Climate Change Solutions

The second infographic illustrates the contributions of biotech crops to food security, sustainability, and climate change solutions. Between 1996 and 2020, biotech crops generated US$261.3 billion in farm income gains by increasing productivity and reducing production costs through less plowing and pesticide use. These crops have also significantly impacted the environment by reducing pesticide application by 748.6 million kilograms and saving 39 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, biotech crops help conserve biodiversity by saving 183 million hectares of land and uplift the lives of 17 million farmers and their families, totaling more than 65 million people.

The two infographics were developed by the ISAAA Global Knowledge Center on Biotechnology. The biotech FAQs infographic was part of Double Helix Vol. 5, No. 1, and was transformed into a standalone infographic before its translation. The infographic on biotech crops' benefits was launched for the first time in October 2024.

Download the Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano translations of Biotech Crops: Your Questions Answered and Contributions of Biotech Crops to Food Security, Sustainability, and Climate Change Solutions from the ISAAA website.