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Philippines


The Philippines is one of 11 developing countries — and one of the first countries in Asia — to provide genetically modified (GM) crops to their farmers.  In 2003, commercial planting of insect-protected (Bt) corn was an immediate success with farmers who witnessed perhaps the most significant benefits to date due to better control of persistently high infestations levels of Asian corn borers in this tropical climate.  With 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) of plant biotechnology in the Philippines and new traits set to come to market, Filipino farmers with typical land holdings of 2.5—12.5 acres (1—5 hectares) are now enjoying the benefits of higher incomes and reduced pesticide applications.
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Grower Profiles


Seferino Cosme
In 2006, 100,000 Filipino farmers planted 0.5 million acres of GM crops – an impressive increase of 100 percent over 2005 plantings. After 40 years of farming, Seferino Cosme describes the benefits he and his family have experienced since adopting genetically modified corn, including increased income and an improvement in their livelihood.
Length: 2:02
Jesus Gavino
Since the introduction of plant biotechnology in the Philippines in 2003, insect-protected corn has enabled farmers to increase their incomes and reduce pesticide applications.  Corn grower Jesus Gavino explains how he uses increased income from GM crops to improve his family’s standard of living, while enjoying more free time with his wife and five children.
Length: 1:59
Jerry Due
Corn growers in the Philippines face persistently high levels of Asian corn borers that infest the crops and negatively impact yields.  Corn and rice farmer Jerry Due shares his experience with plant biotechnology in the Philippines — describing how GM corn benefits the environment and how increased yields of 20-30 percent are allowing him to save money for his son’s education.
Length: 2:02
Roman Bernal
Approximately one-third of Filipino farmers rely on corn production as their major source of income.  The average net income for Filipino farmers who planted genetically modified organism (GMO) corn increased 34 percent in 2003.  Roman and Adelaida Bernal share how plant biotechnology in the Philippines has improved their family’s quality of life through less intense labor practices, increased yields and reduced pesticide applications.
Length: 1:49

Video Transcripts



Jesus Gavino
Yes, to us farmers, biotech is really important because it has benefited us with bigger harvests.  With bigger harvests, we get higher incomes. … since corn farming is no longer as laborious with YieldGard, I now have time to take my wife to school and back.  Same thing with my children.

Jerry Due
I told my son to … well to talk seriously about educations. … He’s just three years old now, but I could put some money in the bank from the harvest from the Bt corn.  So, that by the time he go to school, he got already money in the bank to stay in the school.

Seferino Cosme
When I was using the conventional method of planting corn, we yielded 60 cavans from a hectare.  So, I only got a little.  Then after seeing this biotechnology, I decided to try it myself. … When I planted 1 hectare, it yielded 150 cavans — which is more than double what I harvested before. … That’s when our livelihood became stable, and we were able to save and build our new house. … What is important for me is what YieldGard has done to our livelihood. … I don’t want to benefit from it alone.  I want my co-farmers and all the other farmers in the country to experience the good life, just as we are.

Roman Bernal
Before I planted YieldGard, I’d be so tired I could not even bring myself to give her a hug — especially after spraying.  Now there’s no problem like that … I can even kiss her now.

Adelaida Bernal
I thought it was impossible to build a big house.  But with biotech, we got what we have been dreaming for, for so long.

Roman Bernal
So before I die, when I die, my grandchildren can proudly say I left them a legacy from my corn farming.  That is my dream.


Editor’s Notes:

  • YieldGard ® corn contains a protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that protects corn plants from specific lepidopteron insect pests.YieldGard® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
  • 20 cavans = 1 metric ton
  • 1 hectare = 2.5 acres
  • Pesticides registered by the U.S. EPA will not cause unreasonable adverse effects on man or the environment, when used in accordance with label directions.

© 2005 Monsanto Company.  All rights reserved.  The copyright holder consents to the use of this material and the images in the published context only and solely for the purpose of promoting the benefits of agricultural biotechnology.