GMO crops gaining groundhome/Business/Agri business/GMO crops gaining groundDespite the campaigns against Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) crops, hundreds of millions of farmers, including smallholders, have placed their trust on such crops, reaping numerous benefits like not having to rely largely on chemicals to control pests. On the contrary, using Bt crops provided positive benefits, as reduced use of chemical pesticides is definitely good for our health and the environment. It further said that using Bt crops and reducing pesticide use have a “halo” effect “that also benefits farmers who do not use the modified crops.”That is good news to those who have opened their minds to using biotech crops or genetically modified organism (GMO) crops. More funding to support research for development of GMO/biotech crops in the Philippines can also make the country the center for such crops, at least in Southeast Asia. But let me state again, that GMO/biotech crops should not be treated as the Holy Grail for increasing food supply amid dwindling water and soil resources.

Source: Manila Times May 22, 2019 16:07 UTC