CropLife Philippines Hosts Day 3 of the 15th Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program Focused on Biotech Communication

The 15th Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program, hosted by CropLife Philippines in collaboration with CropLife Asia and the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines, continued its third day on October 20, 2021. This five-day virtual event, held from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM, brought together farmers, experts, and industry leaders to discuss key issues in agricultural biotechnology. Day 3, moderated by Dr. Rhodora Aldemita from ISAAA, focused on "Biotech Communication," highlighting the importance of effective communication in advancing agricultural biotechnology.

Dr. Aldemita opened the session with a quick recap of the previous days and introduced the topic for Day 3. The session began with an "Overview on Science Communication," delivered by Jerome Barradas, Project Coordinator II at SEARCA's Agriculture and Natural Resources Knowledge Platform. Barradas discussed strategies for making scientific knowledge accessible and the critical role of science communication in shaping public perception of biotechnology.

Following the presentation, a brief poll and Q&A segment allowed participants to engage with the speaker and further explore key concepts in science communication.

The session continued with presentations from experts sharing their experiences in communicating agricultural biotechnology. Jinli Hao from Beijing Guokr Interactive Technology Media Co., Ltd., discussed a new model connecting the public, enterprises, and regulators in communicating GMO-related information in China. Mr. Kanchi Kurmanath, Senior Deputy Editor of The Hindu Business Line in India, provided insights into how media can influence public understanding of GMOs. Prof. Antonius Suwanto from Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia shared his experience in addressing common misconceptions about agricultural biotechnology.

Yoshiharu Kumagai, Secretary General of the Council for Biotechnology Information in Japan, wrapped up the panel by discussing consumer acceptance of GMOs in Japan, emphasizing the importance of transparency and trust-building in biotechnology communication.

The session concluded with a general poll, a Q&A segment, and closing remarks, allowing participants to interact with the speakers and reflect on the day's discussions. Dr. Aldemita closed the session by underscoring the significance of clear and effective communication in promoting a deeper understanding of biotechnology and fostering acceptance among stakeholders.

The 15th Pan-Asia Farmers Exchange Program will continue through October 22, 2021, providing valuable insights on agricultural biotechnology to farmers and industry professionals across the region. The event is streamed live via Zoom and the recordings are available on CropLife Philippines' Facebook and YouTube channels.