The 15th Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program was held on October 18-22, 2021. Farmers, scientists, communicators and industry experts shared their knowledge and experiences on different topics including overview of modern biotechnology and GMO’s, biosafety regulations, science communication, commercial growing of biotech crops, and the importance of gene bank and seed processing. Experts from Japan and Philippines also showed how Golden rice and GABA tomato was approved for commercialization. More than 450 participants comprising of farmers, scientists, teachers, students, regulators, government, media and industry personnel from Bangladesh, Canada, Cambodia, China, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, US and Vietnam.
The event was organized by CropLife Asia, CropLife Philippines and the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines (BCP).
Below are the links to the recorded videos of each presentation during the 5-day webinar. Please click the topic you are interested in:
Day 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Welcome Remarks by Dr. Siang Hee Tan
Welcome Message by Ms. Veronica Tiburcio
Overview of Modern Biotechnology and GMO’s by Dr. Rhodora Aldemita
Day 3: Biotech Communication
Communicating Science by Mr. Jerome Barradas
Indonesia: Experience in Communicating Agricultural Biotechnology by Professor Antonius Suwanto
India: Writing on Agri-biotech – Experiences of a Reporter by KV Kurmanath
China: Experiences in Communicating Agricultural Biotechnology by Ms Jinli Hao
Open Forum with Prof. Suwanto, Dr. Kumagai, Mr. Kurmanath and Ms Hao
Day 4: Experiences in Commercial Growing of Biotech crops
ASEAN Farmer Sustainability & Resilience Study by Ms. Kueh Ai Chen
Bangladesh Farmers’ Experience in Growing Bt Eggplant
Philippine Farmer Experience in Growing GM Corn by Mr. Emerson Agno
Vietnam Farmers’ Experience in Growing GM Corn by Ms. Vu Thi Tinh and Mr. Ho Cong Bay
Pakistan Farmer Experience in Growing Bt Cotton by Mr. Bilal Israel Khan
Open Forum with the Biotech Crop Farmers – Mr. Haq, Mr. Agno, Ms. Tinh, Mr. Bay and Mr. Khan
Day 5: Crop Improvement and Seed Quality: Virtual Tour to Gene Bank and Seed Processing Plant
Importance of Seed Quality and Virtual Tour to Corteva Agriscience Seed Processing Plant