One of the challenges we as farmers have to deal with in this day and age is the bulk of misinformation that comes out in the information super hi-way: the internet. Along with these are groups and strong advocates on the opposing side of agriculture innovations. Personally, I welcome a learning discourse, but when the other side does not listen to logic and begin misrepresenting, that is where I would make a stand.
Activists are plenty, too, in the Philippines. When these activists perform their stunts, everyone loses—especially farmers, who have the most to gain from fact-based exchanges about the benefits of technology.
Unfortunately, that’s how things often go here in the Philippines. Farmers like me are needed to join the conversation about agricultural innovations. Professional protest groups seek to silence us through intimidation.
I was invited to join a meeting by the Department of Agriculture as a resource speaker and corn farmer. The meeting’s focus was to raise awareness and share perspective from the ground in relation to “Plant Variety Protection” and how farmers like me decide where to source seeds we use for our crops. The meeting was jointly organized by Naktuinbuow and the Bureau of Plant and Industry – Department of Agriculture.
Activists showed up in the meeting and staged a lightning protest in the middle of the meeting. It was rude and disruptive. They managed to do it since some of the organizations they represent were cordially invited to attend the meeting as participants. Their behavior was done in bad faith.
I witnessed the protest. They are a collection of quasi-farmer militants and the intention was to disrupt the meeting. Perhaps one of their targets is the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, better known as UPOV. The Swiss-based organization describes its mission on its website: “to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.” The activists’ protest does not resonate as a “pro-farmer” stand nor were they interested in a sensible conversation. After they had taken a photo, they all left the meeting before it even completed.
UPOV’s goal is simple and compelling—and anyone interested in food security should embrace it.
The world needs more plants varieties. As researchers breed improved and more resilient crops, farmers will grow more food on less land and in more sustainable ways, as they contend with the traditional threats of weeds, pests, and disease plus the growing menace of climate change.
UPOV is a vital partner, especially because it aims to defend the intellectual property rights that make so many technological advances possible.
The meeting I attended was entitled “Raising Awareness Seminar” on August 22 in Quezon City, near Manila, in conjunction with my government’s Department of Agriculture, which would like to become a formal member of UPOV, so that the seed industry in the Philippines can prosper.
I was invited to speak at the meeting, to provide the perspective of a corn farmer relating to seeds, plant varieties, their trade and protection. I made the long journey from the Camotes Islands, where I’ve been using and demonstrating to other farmers cutting-edge seeds to boost my production and serve as an agriculture extension service for other farmers to benefit. I have a great story to tell about how technology can help farmers flourish, even in remote areas and in difficult conditions.
This is not just about exhibiting bad manners, though, because now they’re spreading lies. They’re using their photo for propaganda, claiming that farmers oppose technologies such as Golden Rice and BT eggplant.
This is anti-science and anti-farmer nonsense. I’m on the record as a farmer who supports both of these technologies as well as the seeds that make them possible. Golden Rice is an option to effectively fight malnutrition and reduce a scourge of childhood blindness caused by vitamin-A deficiency. Bt eggplant, improves production by defeating pests.
These are amazing and safe innovations that will allow farmers to thrive. They will serve consumers, too, by improving their health and enhancing their food security.
We need opportunities to discuss all of these matters, especially because agricultural technologies are now under legal attack in the Philippines. We also must address the proliferation of unlicensed seeds by those who want to ignore patents and escape paying for the intellectual property of others.
Through forums such as UPOV’s “Raising Awareness Seminar,” we can have rational conversations among scientists, seed producers, farmers, government and the public.
I’m willing to engage with anyone, including skeptics of agricultural technology. I’m ready to listen to their concerns and happy to take their questions. We may not agree on everything, but we can talk and try to find common ground.
This is how we move forward.
Sadly, the protestors want to move backward. They want to muzzle farmers like me and spread misinformation about what we really believe.
I aspire to raise awareness. They intend to lower it.
They will fail because so many farmers support and want access to crop technologies such as Golden Rice and Bt eggplant as well as the sensible regulations that enable agricultural technology.
We refuse to be silent.
Our truth will beat their lies.
