Farmers oppose “golden rice”

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Militant farmers, belonging to the Hugpong sa Mag-uumang Bol-anon or HUMABOL, an affiliate of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, have opposed to the genetically modified “golden rice.”

Danilo Olayvar, HUMABOL chair, told a radio program recently that, based on research, “golden rice” is harmful to humans, animals and plants.

Instead of the Department of Agriculture’s endorsement of  “golden rice” to farmers, it would be better for the government to encourage the planting of local varieties of root crops, fruits and vegetables that are rich in Vitamin A.

These local varieties of crops are more sustainable than the genetically-modified rice, which has been promoted also as containing Vitamin A, Olayvar said.

“We will oppose it,” said Olayvar, adding that should “golden rice” becomes commercially available it could spur grain price changes or increases because this matter is all about business.

Olayvar claimed the government appeared not looking for the benefit of the consumers but to the businesses, adding that it was not immediately known if the “golden rice” has already penetrated discreetly in Bohol.

Earlier, the provincial government, through the Provincial Board, has enacted an ordinance banning the entry and field testing of genetically-modified-organism plants or seeds. Monitoring and vigilance activities had been conducted, but these efforts have been allegedly abandoned for unknown reasons. — Ric V. Obedencio (FREEMAN)