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Latest News

AGRICULTURE NEWS UPDATES IN ASIA – October 2024

Stay rooted in the latest agriculture news updates!  

Country News 

Australia/New Zealand

Cotton production set to dominate expansion of remote Australian agricultural region – One of Australia’s remotest agricultural regions would almost double in size under an ambitious plan announced by the West Australian government. Read more…

The virus threatening Australia’s tomato industry – As households grapple with cost-of-living pressure, growers are warning tomato prices could rise after the discovery of a new tomato virus. Read more…

APVMA places immediate ban on herbicide due to human health risk – The APVMA announced all use of chlorthal dimethyl, best known under the trade name Dacthal, would be banned immediately, primarily due to risks to unborn babies. Read more…

New South Wales seed vault protects agricultural heritage – A Wagga Wagga seed vault is preserving seeds and grains for up to 100 years and is gaining international attention. Read more…

China

China’s first provincial germplasm resource bank now fully operational – China’s first provincial germplasm resource bank, located in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, is now fully operational, according to the Science and Technology Daily on Monday. Read more…

Vietnam and China sign deals including agri trade to QR code payments – Ten agreements sealed during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s 3-day visit to Hanoi. Read more…

Vice Minister Ma Youxiang Meets with International Sustainability and Agriculture Officials – Ma Youxiang, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, met separately with Stanley Loh Ka Leung, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), in Beijing on Oct. 11. Read more…

China’s road to agricultural self-sufficiency: reshaping markets, creating opportunities – China, a major demand center and driver of global agricultural markets, is actively pursuing an ambitious goal of achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture, but not without disrupting markets. Read more…

India

Agri officers update HC on pesticide use ban – Nagpur: In response to a directive from the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court, district agriculture superintendents from Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia, and Chandrapur submitted affidavits on Wednesday detailing measures taken to combat the use of harmful pesticides in farms. Read more…

Minister discusses Punjab agriculture policy with farmers’ unions – The measures proposed in the policy include promoting crop diversification, providing a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP), offering one-time debt settlements for farmers, introducing a pension plan for small farmers and farm workers, implementing special debt waivers for small and marginal farmers, among other initiatives. Read more…

India’s cotton output to fall on lower area, excess rain – India’s cotton output is expected to drop by 7.4% to 30.2 million bales in 2024/25 due to reduced planting area and excessive rainfall damage. This may lead to increased imports, rising to 2.5 million bales from 1.75 million, and a decrease in exports to 1.8 million bales from 2.85 million. Read more…

Bayer, Mitsubishi, Shell, Temasek to generate carbon credits for farmers – Four big global companies — Bayer, GenZero (a wholly-owned arm of financial major Temasek), Shell and Mitsubishi — have decided to scale up their carbon credit programme in nine states to empower farmers. Read more…

Bayer in pact with Samunnati to enhance farmer productivity and profitability – Bayer, a global enterprise with competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and agriculture, has partnered with Samunnati, an agri value chain enabler company, to empower FPOs (Farmer Producer Organisations) with access to quality agri-inputs and transfer of good agricultural practices to enhance rural livelihoods and farm incomes. Read more…

Indonesia

Minister commits to achieving food self-sufficiency in Indonesia – Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister, Andi Amran Sulaiman, has pledged to transform the country into a food-sovereign nation by boosting production and expanding agricultural areas. Read more…

Indonesia’s Agriculture sector resilient amid medium-term risks – Indonesia’s agriculture sector is navigating a period of substantial challenges, with factors such as volatile weather patterns, global commodity price fluctuations, and domestic structural issues presenting immediate obstacles. However, strong domestic consumption and strategic government initiatives should continue to maintain the sector’s vital role in the Indonesian economy.  Read more…

Korea

Korean Smart Farming Technologies Draw Special Attention from Middle East – Sejong, 15 October 2024  — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) held a ‘K-smart farm roadshow’ in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the State of Kuwait, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 7 to 14 October 2024 to ensure that K-smart farms can be more widely recognized in the Middle Eastern market. At the trade show, 12 Korean smart farm companies and 50 buyers had 369 business meetings to create export and import opportunities. Read more…

South Korea boosts cabbage supply for kimchi amid heat wave – South Korea’s government said on Wednesday that it will ensure 24,000 tonnes of cabbage are supplied from national stocks to provide support during the upcoming peak kimchi-making season after blaming unusually hot weather for affecting the cabbage crop. Read more…

S. Korea Expands Exports of Agri-food Products and Fights Counterfeit Food Products – On 25 September, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) held a meeting with exporting companies and export-related public agencies to discuss ways to expand exports of K-Food Plus*. At the meeting, both sides shared the export volumes recorded from January through September this year and discussed an export plan.  Read more…

* K-Food Plus (K-Food+) is a term referring to agri-food products, combined with the products from related forward- and backward-linked industries (e.g. smart farms, agricultural equipment, pet food, veterinary medicine, etc.). Agri-food products means processed and non-processed food products, excluding aquatic food products.

Malaysia

Budget 2025’s Significant Agricultural Funding set to propel Sabah’s Rice Industry – Academician – Sabah received a development allocation of RM6.7 billion, one of the highest among the states, with notable attention given to the development of basic infrastructure and the agricultural sector. Read more…

Government to explore potential Rice Bowl areas in Sabah, Sarawak – The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) is exploring potential areas in Sabah and Sarawak to be developed as national ‘jelapang padi’ (rice bowl area), aiming to boost the country’s rice production. Read more…

Pakistan

Finance Minister Pitches Pakistan’s Agriculture, IT, Energy Sectors to US, UAE Investors – Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb attended the Roundtable with Institutional Investors organized by Jefferies International. Read more…

Foreign training programme reviewed for 1,000 agriculture professionals – Islamabad: Planning and development minister Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday assessed the plan for short-term training of 1,000 agriculture professionals in China and underscored the need to prioritise individuals with the highest potential to ensure a strong return on investment from the initiative. Read more…

Philippines

DAR program seeks more female farmers – THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has partnered with a foreign donor to empower 175,000 women as female farmers to take center stage in a P6.2-billion poverty alleviation and food security project in January 2025. Read more…

Philippines, Laos to ink agriculture pact next year – MANILA, Philippines — The government is looking at signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on agricultural cooperation with Laos next year to boost ties between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Read more…

DA, FAO collaborate to strengthen food security – MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. has met with the head of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a bid to strengthen collaboration towards food security. Read more…

Taiwan

“Taiwan-Nuffield International Agricultural Dialogue & Networking” event opens up new horizons for agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and Australia – The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), the Australian Office Taipei, and Nuffield International (NI) held the “Taiwan-Nuffield International Agricultural Dialogue and Networking” event on September 27. This activity marked the first time that the scholarship program of the Australian branch of NI, Nuffield Australia (NA), focused on researching the current situation of Taiwan’s agricultural sector. Read more…

Ministry of Agriculture celebrates success of World Food Day 2024 – Тhе Міnіѕtrу оf Аgrісulturе, Fооd Ѕесurіtу, аnd Еntеrрrіѕе іѕ ехtеndіng grаtіtudе tо еvеrуоnе whо јоіnеd fоr Wоrld Fооd Dау 2024 оn Осtоbеr 18th аt thе Сеntrаl Fаrm Rеѕеаrсh Ѕtаtіоn. Read more…

Thailand

Thai rice exports expected to be higher this year as India stays away – Association president Chookiat Ophaswongse told Krungthep Turakij that the impact of the floods on rice production was not clear yet, saying the country’s most important rice plots in the Northeast have not been impacted by the floods. Read more…

Irish agri-food agency aims to strengthen ties with Thailand – Bord Bia, the Irish government agency responsible for promoting, developing and marketing Irish food, drink and horticulture, has pledged to strengthen its ties with Thailand through the agri-food sector. Read more…

Singapore

Local farms push ahead with international collaborations to further S’pore’s 30 by 30 plan – SINGAPORE – Mr Webster Tham, co-founder of local agri-technology company Tomato Town, is looking to harvest Japanese cherry tomatoes and heirloom varieties of tomatoes through a collaboration with a Japanese company that makes tomato-based foods and vegetable juices. Read more…

Vietnam

Increasing Vietnam’s resilience to climate change through implementation of biotechnology –

(VAN) Vietnam should persist in its comprehensive evaluation of its legal framework and the introduction of new crop varieties to implement a novel strategy consistent with today’s requirements. Read more…

Source: https://vietnamagriculture.nongnghiep.vn/increasing-vietnams-resilience-to-climate-change-through-implementation-of-biotechnology-d402656.html


The Philippines is optimistic about the future of agricultural cooperation with Vietnam – (VAN) The third meeting of the Vietnam-Philippines Joint Committee for Agricultural Cooperation (JCA) took place from October 15 to 16, marking an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries. Read more…

When farmers embrace technology – (VAN) For the first time, farmers in southern Ba Don witnessed aerial seeding and fertilization. Unusual excitement arose from the day they sowed seeds to the day they weighed the rice and counted their earnings. Read more…

Income of over 71 million VND per person per year thanks to circular agriculture – (VAN) A commune with a population of 16,000, once purely agricultural, now boasts an income exceeding 71 million VND per person annually, piquing my curiosity. Read more…

Minister Le Minh Hoan: Agriculture in the first nine months shows many positive signs – (VAN) Minister Le Minh Hoan pointed out that the agricultural sector has exhibited a majority of positive statistics, which are evidence of its growth in the face of significant obstacles. Read more…

Agriculture is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam – (VAN) The 2024 Sustainable Food Forum aims for a Net Zero goal, focusing on the development of sustainable agriculture, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting the environment. Read more…

Soybean output seen rising by 7% – (VAN) Although revised slightly higher from the previous forecast, total grains ending stocks are projected at a 10-year low of 584 million 

Plant Science Updates

MARA Issues New and Renewed Biosafety Certificates for GE Crops in China

FSANZ Calls for Public Comments on Food Derived from GM Corn MZIR260

China’s innovative satellite mission aims to enhance food security

The potential of the RiceMoRe digital ecological system

Digital Agriculture Technologies Key to Supporting Malaysia’s High-Income Ambitions, World Bank Report Says

Gene Editing to Produce Bacterial Blight Resistant Cassava

Farmers in Bangladesh Call for Awareness Campaigns and Programs on GM Crops

CropLife engages in Product Stewardship Forum: A Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture in the Philippines

China Expands Application of Genetically Modified Microorganisms Derived Products in Food Processing

Genetic tweaks can make oats more nutritious, increase shelf life

Credits to the owners of the news embedded on this post.

Latest News, Press Release

CropLife Asia supports FAO World Food Day call on “Right to Foods for a Better Life & a Better Future” / Need for greater AgTech adoption to meet SDG2 challenge highlighted

Singapore, 16 October 2024 – As the world marks World Food Day, CropLife Asia is taking the opportunity to highlight how enhancing agricultural productivity through innovative technologies and sustainable agricultural practices can help drive greater food security and accessibility to a healthy diet in Asia-Pacific. The challenge of achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger (SDG2) remains daunting in the region and around the world.

According to the United Nations (UN) 2024 State of Food Security & Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report, Asia remains home to the largest number of those facing hunger globally at 384.5 million and accounts for a larger share of the number of food-insecure people in the world at 1.18 billion. Furthermore, a healthy diet remains out of reach for 2.83 billion people worldwide with 1.66 billion facing this challenge in Asia alone as highlighted in the SOFI reporti. The cost of a healthy diet has risen since 2017 globally with the cost being the second highest in Asia at 4.20 PPP dollarsii.

“This World Food Day, we must work together to ensure that the right to safe, nutritious and affordable food remains accessible to all,” said Dr. Siang Hee Tan, Executive Director of CropLife Asia. “With 1 out of 11 people facing hunger globally, the need to ensure food systems that are more safe, secure and sustainable is more important than ever before. Harnessing the power of advanced and innovative plant science technologies can help drive agricultural productivity while protecting the world around us – and is an increasingly critical component in realizing the promise of SDG2.”

Plant science innovation such as plant biotechnology and genome editing along with crop protection products play an important role in ensuring a stable food supply, managing and protecting natural resources as well as driving national economies. Biotech crops have increased global food, feed and fibre production by nearly 1 billion tonnes from 1996 to 2020iii. These innovations also support sustainability by producing crops that address climate change impacts such as drought and flooding while utilizing nutrients more efficiently and delivering better nutrition to humans and livestock.

About CropLife Asia
CropLife Asia is a non-profit society and the regional organization of CropLife International, the voice of the global plant science industry. We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture. CropLife Asia supports the work of 15 member associations across the continent and is led by six member companies at the forefront of crop protection, seeds and/or biotechnology research and development.

For more information, visit us at www.croplifeasia.org.
For more information please contact:
Duke Hipp
Director, Public Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
CropLife Asia
Tel: (65) 6221 1615
duke.hipp@croplifeasia.org

i FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2024. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 – Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd1254en
ii FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. 2024. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024 – Financing to end hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd1254en
iii Brookes G. (2022). Farm income and production impacts from the use of genetically modified (GM) crop technology 1996-2020. GM Crops & Food, 13(1), 171-195. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2022.2105626

Latest News

CropLife engages in Product Stewardship Forum: A Commitment to Sustainable Agriculture in the Philippines

CropLife Asia and CropLife Philippines actively participated in the multistakeholder forum, “Responsible Innovation: Ensuring Product Stewardship in Crop Biotech” on Oct 8, 2024 in the Philippines, which aims to discuss the importance of product stewardship for regulatory compliance and sustainable use of biotech products. This hybrid (combination of in-person and online via zoom attendees) event was organized by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, Inc (ISAAA Inc), in collaboration with the Philippine Agriculture and Fisheries Biotechnology Program (DA – Biotech Program).

In-person attendees group photo during the forum, “Responsible Innovation: Ensuring Product Stewardship in Crop Biotech”; Photo by: Mr. Panfilo de Guzman, ISAAA Inc.

Ms. Jenny Panopio, Associate Director of the Stewardship and Stakeholder Partnership at CropLife Asia (CLA), discussed the stewardship programs of the plant science industry in the three focus areas – Integrated Pest Management, Resistance Management, and Container Management. Moreover, she adds that CropLife is also looking into behavioral sciences to improve farmers’ behavior in terms of adapting such stewardship programs and will continue to promote safe and responsible use of crop protection and plant biotechnology products.

Moreover, Dr. Lilia Portales, from the Bureau of Plant Industry – Post Approval Monitoring Group (BPI-PAMG) discussed about the Regulatory Guidelines and Post-release monitoring of Biotech Crops; Dr. Leny C. Galvez, Head of the Immunology and and Molecular Biology Laboratory (IMBL) at the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) talked about the stewardship program of PhilFIDA in Bt cotton; while Dr. Lourdes Taylo from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB) gave details on the stewardship program on Bt eggplant. Mr. Adriel Dave Alvarez, a Biotech corn farmer and a member of the Global Farmer Network, shared his insights about product stewardship from the farmers’ perspective.

From left to right: Mr. Panfilo de Guzman, ISAAA Inc.; Dr. Lilia Portales, BPI-PAMG; Dr. Lourdes Taylo, UPLB-IPB; Ms. Jenny Panopio, CLA, Mr. Adriel Dave Alvarez, Global Farmer Network; and PhilFIDA representatives (in behalf of Dr. Leny Galvez)

During the open discussion, one of the key points raised was the proliferation of unregistered GM seeds. This is a critical issue in terms of product stewardship and it is essential that the government addresses this concern to prolong the effectiveness of the GM technology. Representatives from BPI and the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) have taken note of this issue and will look further into it.

For more information about the event, please contact ISAAA, Inc at info@isaaa.org or visit their website at https://www.isaaa.org/.

Latest News

AGRICULTURE NEWS UPDATES IN ASIA – September 2024

Stay rooted in the latest agriculture news updates!  

Country News 

Australia/New Zealand

Trigall Australia gets go-ahead for trial of GM wheat

QUT-developed GM Cavendish QCAV-4: it tastes great

FSANZ Opens Public Comment Period for GM Sugar Beet

COGEM Releases Advice on Renewal of Import and Processing of GM Oilseed Rape MON88302

China 

Steps taken to ensure food security

China issues action plan for Africa including agricultural modernization and technology transfers

Soaring vegetable prices add to woes facing households in China

India

Women, youth, farmers, poor central to BJP, Cong manifestos

States asked to choose between MSP and deficiency payment

Farm bodies skeptical of agriculture policy’s viability

Indonesia

Peru and Indonesia hold third round negotiations for Trade Agreement

IKN to Implement Modern Agriculture, Observer Reminds of Indonesia’s Food Estate Failure

Indonesia eyes China’s agricultural technology for achieving food self-sufficiency

Indonesia seeks Australia’s expertise for food self-sufficiency

Korea

Exports of Korean Agri-food Products Have Increased for 12 Consecutive Months

South Korea: Prolonged heatwaves lead to brown planthopper infestations, ravaging rice farms

Brazil and South Korea discuss tariff cuts for grapes and strawberries

Malaysia

Agrobank signs MoU with Borong for RM300m MSME financing

Farmers can Breathe a Sigh of Relief

Philippines

50,000 rice farmers seen to benefit from new DBP facility

DA chief: new law declares smuggling, hoarding of agricultural products as economic sabotage

Taiwan

Taiwan denounces China for discontinuing tariff exemptions on farm goods

Taiwan Smart Agriweek kicks off in Taipei

Young Agricultural Ambassadors visit Malaysia, where they explore how to bring Taiwan agriproducts in line with international halal certification standards and develop markets in New Southbound Policy partner countries

Thailand

Thai rice export prices hit 14-month low

Uzbekistan and Thailand to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, and tourism

Singapore 

Singapore’s homegrown farming dream is beginning to fade

Vietnam

Frozen durian exports could reach 300 million USD in 2024

Vietnam is ready to share agricultural experiences with African countries

Global News

FAO sees open trade as a cornerstone of global food security

Bilateral meetings highlight the importance of cooperation in technology, international trade, sustainable production, and the fight against hunger

Update from G20 Agricultural Ministers Meeting

CropLife International applauds G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Declaration

CropLife International welcomes Recommendations of B20 Task Force as “a true roadmap for meaningful food system transformation”

Photo credit: g20.org, Photo by Guilherme Martimon/MAPA

Plant Science Updates

Super golden lettuce richer in vitamin A

Gene Editing to Produce Gluten-Free Wheat

Health and Environmental Concerns Influence Consumers’ GM Food Consumption

Century-old experiment secures beer and whiskey’s future

The next ‘big thing’ in genetically modified crops: Drought-tolerant and herbicide resistant wheat. Here’s what you need to know

Credits to the website owners of the news embedded on this post.

Feature Section, Latest News, Newsletter, Video

DON’T MISS OUT: CATCH UP ON OUR LATEST PODCASTS!

In case you’ve missed any of our recent podcasts, now is the perfect time to catch up! We’ve covered some insightful interviews from great leaders in the field of agriculture that you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re looking for the latest innovations, expert opinions, or just some engaging conversations, revisiting these episodes will definitely be worth your while. Take a moment to look back and enjoy the valuable content we’ve shared with you!

Ep37 | Emily Rees on Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Food Systems

In this podcast, hear out Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International, as she emphasizes how agriculture and ag innovation plays a big role in attaining sustainable food systems around the globe. She also touches on challenges that women experience that prevents them to have full participation in different aspects. 
Enabling functioning supply chains, supporting policies, continuous research and development of technologies for a climate smart agriculture – just to name a few of the advocacies and program that CropLife and its members support.

Ep 38 | Prajwal Shahi on Smallholder Farmers and the Importance of Partnerships

Prajwal Shahi, Portfolio Advisor – Agriculture, PRISMA, talks about important innovations that help elevate the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Here, Prajwal highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in pushing agendas forward to alleviate climate change, and also in ensuring a better life for the smallholder farmers.

Ep 39 | Khalil Hegarty on the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability Report

Here, Khalil Manaf Hegarty, Director of Oxley Hegarty and author of the ASEAN Food Systems Sustainability, speaks about the diversity of food systems, culture and regions, making the idea of “one-size-fits-all” a faulty concept. He also provides context about the EU Green Deal for the food and agriculture industry.

Ep 40 | Erika Balzarelli on Smallholder Farmers and Sustainability
Ep 41 | Francine Sayoc on the Importance of Seed and Partnerships

In Ep 40, Erika Balzerelli, founder of The Sustainable Smallholder, highlights the trends and patterns in the challenges that smallholder farmers face, as well as the roles that cultures and traditions can play in the ways of engaging effectively with them. Learn about the importance of engaging smallholder farmers, and how existing technologies paired with an effective system of providing education and accessibility can help improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers, while being sustainable.

While in Ep 41, we got to discuss about the beginning of the food system – Seeds. Let’s engage with Francine Sayoc, Executive Director of The Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA) as she highlights the importance of educating farmers on the legalities of seeds and the tools that would help farmers with their livelihood. She also stated how public-private partnerships are essential in agriculture, both to the farmer, and the food supply chain.

Hope you had a blast in listening to our podcasts! Subscribe in Asia’s Farm to Fork: 5 Good Questions Podcast through the different channels below.

Apple Music
Spotify
Buzzsprout
Youtube
Feature Section, Latest News

NEW PODCAST EPISODES featuring Simone Barg & Pramod Thota

Ep 33 | Simone Barg on the industry’s roles in agri-sustainability

Simone Barg, Senior Vice President, Agricultural Solutions of Asia Pacific, BASF

In the Episode 33 of the second season, Simone Barg, Senior Vice President, Agricultural Solutions of Asia Pacific, BASF, talks about important issues like food security, climate change, and the unique position that Asia is in as one of the biggest region of smallholder farmers. She also shares the value of working with multiple stakeholders in seeking agricultural transformation. Listen ’til the end to hear Simone’s favorite food, too, which is a combination of Asia’s staple and exotic fruits – definitely a crowd favorite! 

Listen: Spotify Podcast Ep 33
Watch: Youtube Podcast Ep 33

Ep 34 | Pramod Thota on Food Safety and Agtech

Pramod Thota, President, Asia Pacific Vice President, FMC Corporation

On Episode 34, we speak to Pramod Thota, President, Asia Pacific, and Vice President of FMC Corporation, on counterfeits, sustainability and the importance of agriculture technologies in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and alleviating issues like climate change. Pramod shares with us initiatives that FMC have spearheaded that targets the issues within food and agriculture, which includes anti-counterfeiting and brand protection efforts with the #DealWithRealFMC campaign. 

Listen: Spotify Podcast Ep 34
Watch: Youtube Podcast Ep 34

Feature Section, Latest News

ASIA’S FARM TO FORK PODCAST EPISODE 32 | DR. NEOH ON FOOD SECURITY AND THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR

In another new episode of the second season of the Asia’s Farm to Fork: 5 Good Questions Podcast, we speak to Dr. Neoh Soon-Bin, Managing Director, Soon Soon Group, about food security and price inflations. We also learn about the benefits of governmental partnerships in the agricultural sector. Dr. Neoh brings an insightful perspective from the food and feed ingredients industry in Malaysia. Listen ’til the end for a quick introduction on how his favorite dish is prepared, the Peranakan dish – Assam Laksa.

For more podcast episodes, visit and subscribe at Asia’s Farm to Fork Youtube or Spotify.

Feature Section, Latest News

NOT MISSING THE CHANCE: HOW GM MAIZE CHANGED THE LIFE OF A VIETNAMESE FARMER AND HIS COMMUNITY

A joint project of CropLife Asia & the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)

Well into his senior years, Vietnamese farmer, Hoang Trong Ngai, 69, reflects on how adopting genetically modified (GM) maize has benefited not just him but his community as well.

Ngai first heard about GM maize in 2015, when he attended a farmer’s conference organized by the provincial government. Back then, Vietnamese farmers were still hesitant to adopt GM crops since they knew little about it.

However, among the technologies presented during the event, it was GM maize that caught Ngai’s attention. So much so that he quickly began testing several varieties and finally settled on a GM hybrid which is one of the widely adaptable varieties in Vietnam. According to Ngai, the crop produced higher yield and had better resistance to pests and diseases compared with the conventional variety. It was also suitable for local soil conditions.

ECONOMIC GAINS

Starting with merely a hectare of farmland in 2015, Ngai now plants GM maize on nearly three hectares. The average yield of the GM variety is 15% higher (55 quintals/ha) than that of traditional varieties (47.9 quintals/ha), which makes him and his family one of the highest corn producers in the Vinh Phuc province. “With GM maize, we can harvest as much as 60 quintals/ha when the weather is good. It also requires minimum care and reduced pesticide use,” Ngai shares.

The GM maize also generates higher profits. With 2.6 ha of farm area and two production seasons per year, Ngai earns 41% more (3,914 USD/crop) than the average annual income of farmers planting conventional maize (2,759.5 USD/crop).

While farmers can apply the same planting technique used for conventional varieties, GM maize comes with added savings since it does not require any pesticides. It also reduces the cost of labor for land preparation. Ngai recalls, “we had to employ 25 laborers to till the land but now, it only takes three family members to prepare the land for cultivation.” “With these savings, I can say that the total production cost of GM maize is significantly lower compared to traditional varieties,” he adds.

IMPROVED FARMING METHODS

Ngai also saw huge improvements in his farming practices. “We used to till the land manually, which led to low sowing density. Only two crops per season (corn crop and cash crop) were planted on the family farmland. But since the GM maize variety has better tolerance and shorter growing period (115 days), I was able to re-arrange the planting schedule to accommodate three crops in the farm.” More importantly, Ngai does not use insecticides anymore. This, he notes, is one of the biggest benefits of planting GM maize.

“…since the GM maize variety has better tolerance and shorter growing period, I was able to re-arrange the planting schedule to accommodate three crops in the farm.” – Hoang Trong Ngai

PERSONAL GAINS

With his increased income, Ngai was able to support the needs of his family and actively take part in community events. “I bought motorbikes and repaired our house. I was also able to send my children to college and buy them computers and phones that they need for online schooling,” he happily shares. Since they spend less time tending to their field now, their family has also been able to actively participate in other community activities.
Inspired by Ngai’s success, other farmers wanted to plant GM crops, too. To consolidate their efforts, Ngai established a farmer group in his community. The farmers have planted GM maize on 120 hectares in their district to date. “Since introducing GM maize to the community, the farmers have been working more closely together. We regularly exchange information and experiences with farmers within and outside the group,” he continues. The farmer group has also allowed members to share expenses for land preparation and harvesting.

HURDLES

Ngai admits that the progress of GM crops in Vietnam still face some challenges. Although “GM maize is still mainly consumed within the province and the local corn industry lacks linkages with animal feed processing enterprises to create a large raw material production area,” he explains.

The Vietnamese government has also officially banned the use of the herbicide Glyphosate in 2021, which is seen as an inconvenience for GM maize farmers. He adds, “The GM maize variety we are planting is insect-resistant, but we also used Glyphosate to control the weeds. Because of the ban, farmers must manually remove the weeds.”

Another challenge is land availability. Ngai shares that since more households in the Vinh Phuc province have converted their lands for growing other crops, flowers, and fruit trees, it has been difficult to expand the area for GM maize.

NGAI’S MESSAGE

With all its benefits, Ngai considers GM maize a personal success story. “Planting GM maize is efficient and low-cost. I can attest that it’s a safe investment for farmers.” He also advised fellow farmers to consult experts and test varieties to ensure that it’s suitable for local conditions.

Ngai further highlights the safety of GM crops. “The public should not be afraid of GM products. Other countries using it have proven its safety. My family and community have been cultivating GM maize for a long time without experiencing any health problems. This is even better than the traditional varieties since we don’t use insecticides,” he states.

DOWNLOAD ARTICLE (ENGLISH VERSION)
DOWNLOAD ARTICLE (vietnamese version)

Feature Section, Latest News

IN THE BUSINESS OF UPLIFTING LIVES: HOW BT CORN HELPED A FILIPINO FARMER STEER HIS COMMUNITY TO SUCCESS

A joint project of CropLife Asia & the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)

A man out of his mind! Leaving a stable job overseas to start farming back home might be seen as a move only an unstable person would do. Not for Emerson Agno, though, it was just the beginning of something worth the cliff jump.

Now at the helm of a successful business and an active farmer’s organization, Emerson and his business partner, Lualhati Alfonso Kimura, share how Bt corn opened opportunities for them to support his fellow farmers and made it their mission to transform them into ‘agripreneurs.’

“There’s no money in farming,” Emerson recalls the comments of his Filipino coworkers when he decided to resign from his job at a multi-national construction company in Qatar and come home to help supervise his family’s agricultural commodities business in 2018.
Four years later, he has proven them wrong.

Sparked by the desire to help fellow corn farmers in the province of Quezon, Emerson later founded the Gintong Butil (Golden Grain) Agricultural Commodities and Services Company together with Lualhati when he returned from working overseas. To further assist the farmers in their area, they formed a farmer’s organization in their barangay, the Samahan ng Masisipag na Magmamais ng Mangilag Norte, in which Emerson and Lualhati are the current president and vice president, respectively. Emerson is also the current president of the Quezon Corn Growers Federation.

From four hectares, Emerson and Lualhati now manage around 20 hectares of personal farmland dedicated to Bt corn. They are also involved in managing more than 200 hectares of land by financing farmer-partners within Quezon and neighboring provinces through Gintong Butil.

CHOOSING BT CORN

“When I was able to save enough money from working in Qatar, my father retired, and we decided to go back to farming and plant corn. We chose to plant Bt corn because there was a market for it,” says Emerson. Based on their estimates, Region 4-A, comprised of five provinces namely Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (CALABARZON), can only produce five to eight percent of its total corn requirement. Most of the corn supply comes from the northern parts of the country. This presented an opportunity for them to fill up the market gap in the region.

Planting conventional varieties demands more labor and inputs compared to Bt corn, according to Emerson and Lualhati. Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt corn is a genetically modified (GM) corn variety that is resistant to the Asiatic corn borer. “The conventional corn is prone to pests and diseases, so it constantly needs pesticides, which adds to the production cost. With Bt corn, we mostly spray herbicides, and we only use Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA)-approved insecticides when needed for insects such as the fall armyworm. Using chemicals are necessary at times but we need to use it properly,” Lualhati further clarifies.

“Though it costs more compared to non-GMO seeds, the benefits and returns of a higher yield can cover those costs and more.”

 

They also saw the Bt corn produced better yield than the conventional variety, averaging around six to eight tons per hectare on their best crop season (the average yield for the conventional variety is 2-3 tons per hectare). “Since we are going to pour effort and resources into it, we might as well use high-yielding GM corn seeds. Though it costs more compared to non-GM seeds, the benefits and returns of a higher yield can cover those costs and more,” he notes. “We also promote Bt corn to the farmer-partners of Gintong Butil,” Lualhati adds.

BEING A FARMER-LEADER

At its core, Gintong Butil’s goal is to increase the income of corn growers in Quezon and nearby provinces and to help them address farming concerns from land preparation, harvesting, pricing, to selling their crops. “We assist them through financing and post- harvest equipment rental. Our farmer-partners often have no capital, so they loan from us with low interest rates. They usually pay us back after harvest. Members of the Samahan (farmer’s organization) can also rent farm equipment from Gintong Butil at a lower price,” Emerson explains. Additionally, the Samahan receives assistance (i.e., seeds, fertilizers, and equipment) from the Department of Agriculture (DA). The Samahan currently has 25 members within the barangay, but Gintong Butil supports around 50-70 farmer-partners throughout Quezon. They plan to expand the services of the company to the farthest towns in the province.

Aside from financial assistance, another concern that they are particularly keen to resolve through Gintong Butil is the presence of middlemen. “They normally buy the corn at a significantly lower price that they earn more than the farmers. We inform the farmers that they can process their own harvest, so they can keep their full income,” Lualhati continues.

Emerson and Lualhati happily share that their partner corn farmers now avail of Gintong Butil’s services instead of dealing with middlemen. After drying, they look for purchase orders from their partner feed mills and poultry farms so farmers can directly sell their harvests. “Our partner-farmers can now have a better life because they earn more,” she adds.

Gintong Butil also leads capacity-building activities for its farmer- partners. They coordinate with technicians from their suppliers as well as feed and fertilizer companies to train the farmers. They also encourage them to join trainings organized by the DA.

FROM FARMERS TO ‘AGRIPRENEURS’

From working abroad, managing Gintong Butil has become Emerson’s primary source of income. They only had a small truck, one tractor and a corn sheller when they started. They now have two tractors, dryers, and trucks. They were also able to build a warehouse with their earnings. Gintong Butil regularly supplies feed mills in Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas. Along with the yield of their farmer-partners, they also supply around 20-25 tons of Bt corn monthly to one of the major food manufacturers in the Philippines.

“As for business expansion, we are exploring if we can meet the demand of other companies. One challenge is having farmer-partners who know how to market new products,” Emerson admits. However, he observed that a lot of farmers still practice traditional farming methods that don’t increase their yield and harvest.

This, he says, is why farmers should be encouraged to be ‘agripreneurs.’ “They think that just because they are farmers, they can’t be entrepreneurs. We need to change their mindset that they, too, can earn more if they know the business side of farming,” he points out. Lualhati shares this sentiment and adds that the youth should have a similar outlook to motivate them to venture into agriculture. “We have to advocate that farming can be a main source of income.”

From conversations with their partners, Emerson and Lualhati believe that farmers need to be updated with modern technologies and farming practices. Machineries and post-harvest facilities in the area should also be available. One of the goals of the federation is to establish a post-harvest facility in the province with the assistance of DA and in partnership with Gintong Butil. They also encourage small-scale farmers to form organizations and consolidate their efforts since it is easier to negotiate or demand prices as a group.

“We feel that we have a social responsibility to lend a hand to our fellow farmers. As our income increase and our quality of life improves, so should theirs. At the end of the day, we are all in this together,” Emerson states.

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THE BOUNTY OF BT: STORIES OF SUCCESS FROM BT CORN GROWERS

A joint project of CropLife Asia & the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)

FROM OVERSEAS WORKER TO FARMER AND BIOTECH CHAMPION

Known in the Philippine agri-biotech community as the “Queen of Bt Corn,” Rosalie Ellasus shares her journey from working overseas to being a successful genetically modified (GM) corn farmer, and using her influence as a biotech advocate to inspire other farmers to plant GM crops.

Seated against a background of her lush corn fields, near a brand-new farm tractor, Rosalie fondly recalls how she initially had no background or interest in farming. Things changed when her husband died in 1995 and she decided to come home from working overseas to be with her three children. She invested her savings in a small farm, but the results were far from rosy. Her corn farm was riddled with pests and weeds; mere farm income was not enough to send her children to college. Selling the farm was not a lucrative option either.

In 2002, Rosalie attended a 16-week Integrated Pest Management-Farmer Field School (IPMFFS) for corn in her municipality. She notes that this was a defining moment since she learned about Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, a GM corn variety that is resistant to the Asiatic corn borer. “We had a field trial and I volunteered to have a demo trial of Bt and non-Bt corn on my farm. We saw that Bt corn produced better yield than the conventional variety,” she adds. When the Philippine government approved the commercialization of Bt corn in 2003, Rosalie became one of the pioneer adaptors of the GM crop in the country. From just over one hectare of land in 2011, she now harvests corn from more than 10 hectares of farmland. Apart from Rosalie, other farmers in San Jacinto, Pangasinan have also found success in planting Bt corn.

“We saw that Bt corn produced better yield than the conventional variety.” – Rosalie Ellasus, Bt corn farmer, Philippines

Rosalie has enjoyed a multifaceted career over the years. On top of being a farmer, she also became a municipal councilor for nine years. She’s currently the Municipal Risk Reduction and Management Officer of her town. “I did not give up farming because I still wanted to provide livelihood to the farm workers that tend to my field,” she says.

She has also become one of the champions of biotech crops in the country. “Because of the positive outcome of the demo trial, I got invited to different gatherings in other towns to share my experience with the crop. That’s where my advocacy started. I want other farmers, big or small, to know that they, too, can have a better life with Bt corn,” Rosalie states. She admits that it’s rare for a farmer like her to be given the opportunity to travel, so it was a pleasure sharing her biotech experience with farmers in other countries such as Mexico, Peru, and Bangladesh.

In 2016, the Department of Agriculture- Biotechnology Program Office named her as one of the “Filipino Faces of Biotechnology” for her contributions to the country’s agribiotech sector. 

SHIFTING TO BT FOR GOOD

It has been 15 years since Zosimo Gonzales started planting Bt corn and he has no plans of turning back. Now 70 years old, he first knew of Bt corn when Rosalie introduced it in their area during the demo trial. “When we tried planting it ourselves, we were convinced that Bt corn was better since it was high yielding. The corn borers were also gone so we did not have to spend much on insecticides, unlike the conventional varieties where we had to apply large amounts of insecticides but still had less yield compared to Bt corn,” he explains.

With this additional income from Bt corn and a small rice field, he was able to build a house and buy farm equipment such as a tractor and water pump. Both his children were also able to finish their studies. “Recently, we harvested 15 tons of corn on my 1.7-hectare farm,” he adds.

“When we tried planting it ourselves, we were convinced that Bt corn was better since it was high yielding. The corn borers were also gone so we did not have to spend much on insecticides, unlike the conventional varieties where we had to apply large amounts of insecticides but still had less yield compared to Bt corn,” – Zosimo Gonzales, Bt corn farmer, Philippines

Husband and wife Trinidad and Saturnino Velasco, Sr., are also long-time Bt corn farmers from the area. Similar to Zosimo, the couple shifted to Bt corn after seeing its benefits. “We noticed an improvement in our farming methods. We used to spend a lot on insecticides, but now, we only spray it when needed.” Trinidad further clarifies, “there is no corn borer infestation anymore but sometimes, we still need to apply insecticides to eliminate other insects such as armyworms, fruit flies, and leafhoppers.”

“There are times that we are able to harvest 9.6 tons of corn per hectare. We will never get tired of planting Bt corn,” – Mr. & Mrs. Trinidad Velasco

“There are times that we are able to harvest 9.6 tons of corn per hectare. We will never get tired of planting Bt corn,” she happily shares. Saturnino continues, “we were able to send our five children to school and now, they all have good careers. We bought land and farm equipment. We were also able to buy a car with our income.”

Now in their sixties, the couple is still actively involved in managing their farm and they’ve hired other farmers to tend to their corn field. “We are glad to see fellow farmers such as Rosalie succeed because we are also encouraged to produce better crops. It’s like a friendly competition,” says Trinidad.

Another farmer in the area, Romeo Velasco, echoes similar sentiments. “Aside from higher income and improved farming practices, I can confidently say that Bt corn is safe for humans. I’ve been planting it for almost 10 years, and I haven’t experienced any negative side effects. It’s also safer than the conventional varieties since we use fewer insecticides,” he shares. With 25 hectares of land dedicated to Bt corn, Romeo shares that he has been able to help a lot of his fellow farmers in the area. “They have regular jobs because of farming, and they use this to pay for their children’s schooling and to support the other needs of their families.” His farm income also goes into the expansion of his agriculture supplies business.

“Aside from higher income and improved farming practices, I can confidently say that Bt corn is safe for humans. I’ve been planting it for almost 10 years, and I haven’t experienced any negative side effects. It’s also safer than the conventional varieties since we use fewer insecticides,” – Romeo Velasco, Bt corn farmer, Philippines

“Corn farming used to be labor-intensive,” Rosalie recalls. Before, there were many activities involved during the planting season (i.e., plowing, fertilization, weeding, de-tasseling, watering, insecticide spraying, etc.) which were also costly. With Bt corn, this tedious process has been simplified. “The farmer just needs to focus on fertilization, watering, and manpower. We spray Glyphosate to get rid of the weeds, but the overall production cost has been reduced. Now, we can easily sell our corn to feed millers and traders since it’s not infested by corn borers,” she elaborates. Rosalie also attests to the safety of Bt corn. “We have been feeding Bt corn to our livestock for years and there have been no adverse effects.”

“More importantly, my children were able to finish university, which was my main concern when I became a single parent. I am now helping with the education of my grandchildren. I was also able to establish other businesses and buy farm equipment. Our life has certainly improved because of Bt corn,” she beams.

AGTECH IS THE FUTURE

Zosimo recalls that he was not frightened to try the technology when it was first introduced. “I have no regrets with planting Bt corn. Why would I be afraid of it? Farmers need to open their minds to modern technologies. These won’t be introduced to us if it will just cause more damage to our crops.” He also hopes that their experience will help convince farmers to plant Bt corn.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Saturnino feel fortunate that they discovered Bt corn and enjoy its benefits. “If given the chance, we will still choose to plant Bt corn. It’s more profitable than the conventional ones,” they add.

Romeo shared his aspirations and hopes that the GM corn variety in the country will be further improved so that more farmers will be encouraged to plant it. “I also plan to expand my farm so I can employ more corn farmers in my area. That way, I can help them provide for their families,” he says.

Similarly, Rosalie expressed the need to advance technologies and biotech products in the country. She mentioned that farmers also need climate-resilient crops to cope with agricultural challenges. She expounds, “we need to invest in smart agriculture and biotechnology, otherwise, the Philippines will be left behind. Agriculture and technology should go hand in hand.”

For such an accomplished farming career, Rosalie plans to carry on with her biotech advocacy. “I still want to inspire other farmers especially the younger ones, to venture into agriculture, particularly GM crops. I can also explore other opportunities so that I can continue being of service to the people of San Jacinto and perhaps even beyond!”

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