NAST PHL's 46th Annual Scientific Meeting Focuses on Transforming Food Systems

ISAAA Inc. participates in the 46th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) on July 10-11, 2024, with the theme Beyond Farm Productivity: Transforming the Philippine Food System to Address Equity, Consumer Health, and Environmental Issues. The 46th ASM brought national scientists, academicians, and experts together to provide a platform for dialogue and in-depth discussions addressing crucial topics influencing food systems. "The main output of the meeting is a resolution advocating science-based policies and programs, addressed to the highest levels of government and society in general," said Academician Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr., Chair of the Agricultural Sciences Division of NAST PHL.

The 46th ASM featured Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, a member of the ISAAA Board of Trustees and former Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, discussing Impact of the Food System on Climate Change, Resource Depletion, and Pollution under Contrasting Scenarios: Business as Usual and Transformed Food System. Dr. Sebastian presented ways to transform the food system and mentioned biotechnology, particularly gene editing, as one of the triggers of a transformational food system. He recommends operationalizing the Philippine National Food Systems Transformation Pathway, convening the Inter-Agency Task Forces on Zero Hunger, and gradually scaling up the sustainable agriculture approaches of agroecological and regenerative agriculture.

The plenary sessions on the first day discussed the impact of the food system on farmer and fisherfolk income and the role of space technology, relevant Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, digital technology, and food technology in transforming the food system. Consumer decision-making and consumer health and nutrition were also tackled in the plenary sessions on the second day. The event also recognized new NAST academicians and corresponding members, new Outstanding Young Scientists, NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists awardees, NAST Environmental Science awardees, Outstanding Book/Monograph awardees, and Outstanding Scientific Paper awardees.

For more information, watch the recorded live sessions on the Facebook page of NAST PHL.