2023 PH Biotech Outreach Program Finishes Strong, Encourages Youth to Support Biotech

ISAAA Inc. the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) concluded the 2023 Biotech Outreach Program in the Philippines on August 15, 2023 at Los Baños, Laguna. More than 230 onsite and online participants joined the event, mostly students and young scientists of the academic community around the Philippines.

The event aimed to spark the Filipino youth's genuine interest in agricultural sciences, particularly in biotechnology, as the future of the Philippines agricultural sector may lie on their hands. Dr. Nur Azura Binti Adam, Deputy Director for Programs of SEARCA, Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, ISAAA Inc. Executive Director, and Mr. Mark Hanzel, Agricultural Attaché of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Services at the US Embassy Manila gave their respective welcome remarks at the start of the program.

The topics that were discussed included biotechnology innovations and products in the pipeline for productivity and climate resiliency for crops delivered by Dr. Romero-Aldemita, and for livestock presented by Dr. Claro Mingala, Director of the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program of the PH Department of Agriculture. Dr. Huw Jones, Professor of Translational Genomics for Plant Breeding at IBERS Aberystwyth University and an expert member of the United Kingdom Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes of the Food Standards Agency also joined online to explain the global regulatory landscape for new breeding innovations.

During the open forum, a participant asked about national programs that will encourage and involve the youth in agribiotechnology. The experts responded by stating that the younger generation needs to be exposed to the sciences behind plant breeding and biotechnology early on. In the recent years, agribiotech has become a part of the educational curriculum, especially in the Philippines. Like-minded agencies, such as those in the science and agricultural sectors, are working together to implement activities to entice students to enter the agribiotech field. These include publication and distribution of online and printed materials about biotechnology, career talks, national programs to disseminate biotech info for students in different universities and colleges by the government and non-government institutions, scholarships, and networking with biotechnology experts. There was also an exchange of ideas about increasing the youth's interest on animal biotechnology. Extensive promotion of fisheries and livestock biotechnology among the youth can boost attention.

To close the program, Associate Professor Joselito G. Florendo, SEARCA's Deputy Director for Administration, delivered the final remarks in which he spoke about making valuable contributions in sustaining agriculture and securing food production regardless of academic background because everyone has a personal stake on both. The event was moderated by Mr. Sonny P. Pasiona, Program Specialist at SEARCA.

For more information, email knowledge.center@isaaa.org.