On the 62nd anniversary of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), farmers have called for the revocation of Golden Rice’s biosafety permit in the country.
Golden Rice is a type of rice that is genetically modified to produce beta-carotene that is not commonly found in ordinary rice.
Beta-carotene, in turn becomes Vitamin A which helps health, particularly the immune system.
July 2021, when the Philippines became the first country to approve its use for commercial growth.
Farmers continue to oppose its use due to its alleged negative impact on health and agrobiodiversity.
It will also be a way for corporations to control rice farming and agriculture.
“Like the IRRI, Golden Rice will further undermine our domestic rice production and rice farmers,” said Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.
KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos added that Golden Rice and IRRI had not solved the malnutrition, so it should be shut down.
Some experts from Japan also expressed support against Golden Rice.
“We stand with you, and we understand in the Philippines, the cultivation of GMO yellow rice is being pushed forward. This is a direct threat to biodiversity and food security,” said Martin Frid ng Consumers Union of Japan.
Farmers decry low onion price
The farm gate price of onion is just playing at P8 to P14 per kilo, depending on the quality.
According to the farmers, they are already at a loss in investment due to the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides.
Aside from falling prices, farmers also complain that no one buys their crops.
More than 9,000 onion farmers were affected by the price fall.
Also, due to the absence of a buyer, the onions have rotted and been thrown away.
According to the provincial agriculture office of Occidental Mindoro, the damaged onions have reached 900 metric tons.
The office made sure that they were looking for an onion crop to prevent losses to the farmers.
The agriculture office explained that the supply of onions is excessive due to the number of planters in northern Luzon and Mindoro.
It is said that the entry of imported onions also coincided.
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