EXTRACT: In summary, the study shows [with genetically modified Roundup Ready] RR corn farmers incurred, high cost of production (seeds, fertilizers & herbicides), lower yield & net income, cycle of indebtedness and loss of control over the technology and high health risk with the use of Roundup herbicide.
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Farmers reveal: The truth about GM corn
Adam Jesus B. Bering
The News Today, Updated May 11 2009
http://www.thenewstoday.info/2009/05/11/farmers.reveal.the.truth.about.gm.corn.h tml
ROXAS CITY A forum on the case study on the socio-economic impact of Genetically Modified (GM) Corn or RR Corn in Capiz was held last April 30, 2009 at the Roblee Hall, Filamer Christian College sponsored by the Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG) Visayas in partnership with the FCC-National Service Training Program (NSTP).
The half-day forum was attended by farmer-leaders from Negros, Antique, Iloilo and Capiz; LGU representatives from Maayon and Dumarao; the academe represented by the students of Filamer Christian College and PAFCI-Capiz.
MASIPAG-Visayas conducted the economic study on the cultivation of Hybrid & Round-Up Ready (RR) Corn in two selected major corn planting areas in two municipalities of Capiz, namely Dumarao and Maayon for the first cropping (May-September 2007) and second cropping (November-March 2008) of 2007. The over-all objective of the study was to determine the cost and benefit of GM corn production in Capiz. The results of the study will serve also as a guide for farmers and LGUs who look for sustainable alternatives to address the problems of food security and safety.
Ms. Eloisa Bosito, MASIPAG-National Secretariat presented & discussed the results of the socio-economic study which shows that almost all of the farmers in both municipalities are dependent with the local financiers in the area, with 57% of the corn farmers in Dumarao are paying an interest of 7% per month. In Maayon, most of the farmers are paying as high as 10% per month. On the health aspect, most farmers do not wear protective gears while planting and spraying pesticides thus the results showed that some of the RR corn farmers suffered eye & skin irritation, dizziness and respiratory problems. In summary, the study shows RR corn farmers incurred, high cost of production (seeds, fertilizers & herbicides), lower yield & net income, cycle of indebtedness and loss of control over the technology and high health risk with the use of Roundup herbicide.
MASIPAG-Visayas has recommended among others to intensify awareness-raising among the farmers and the general public, conduct lobbying among the LGUs on the entry of GMOs and/or protect the farmers and the environment, call the government through DA to suspend further GMO releases and address the issues on health, environment and livelihood and strengthen Sustainable Agriculture practices in the community especially regarding traditional corn production. Replication of the study in other areas and conduct of a political-economic study to determine the impact of the GM technology on farmers' control over seeds and resources were further recommended by MASIPAG-Visayas.
As recalled, the city government of Bacolod supports the campaign of the province against the entry of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) products through city ordinance no. 07, series of 2007 which bans the entry of all GMO products in order to institute "stringent measures towards the protection of biodiversity and attainment of the status of Negros as an Organic Food Island in Asia". It is hoped that the province of Capiz will also be like Bacolod City in Negros in promoting GMO-free province in Panay Island.