Biotech Crops to Reduce Hunger in the Philippines

Dr. Rhodora Aldemita, senior program officer of the International Service for the Acquisition of AgriBiotech Applications (ISAAA), is pushing for the propagation of biotechnology crops in the country to help reduce the incidents of hunger and malnutrition.

Aldemita said that biotechnology is the most viable alternative system to boost yields of crops that have been genetically enhanced to provide consumers with adequate nutrients.

In addition, agricultural biotechnology increases yields while reducing dependence on chemical-based fertilizers, pesticides, nematicides, and herbicides. It also increases the nutritional value of a crop and helps ensure that the crops reach more people in their best state through the introduction of delayed ripening characteristics.