Last June, three hybrid corn varieties of Bayer led by DEKALB 9118S topped a corn competition in Asturias, Cebu with a reported computed yield of 8.3 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha).
The corn competition was organized by the local government of Asturias, which supposedly showed the Bayer hybrid corn varieties showed good resistance against tough corn diseases, particularly foliar disease, banded leaf sheath blight (BLSB), and stalk rot disease.
The corn derby also boasted that Bayer varieties provided a return on investment at 84.7% showing a net income of more than P45,000 per hectare.
According to Erwin Vibal, Grower Marketing Lead of Bayer Crop Science, “Aside from being the top performer in the Asturias corn derby, DEKALB 9118S characteristics include high shelling recovery at 84%, which indicates heavy grains once the corn ears are removed from the cobs.”
He added that this is advantageous for end-users who require high yield output from corn production.
It should be noted, however, that the corn competition appears to be a showcase of Bayer hybrid varieties more than anything else, given that the event was provided significant media exposure on the fourth week of June in major national broadsheets.
While hybrid corn presents a technological innovation to the agriculture sector, it should be determined whether introducing these products to the country’s vast farmlands is consistent with the country’s state policy on organic agriculture as enshrined in Republic Act No. 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010.
In its declaration of policy, R.A. No. 10068 aims to “to promote, propagate, develop further and implement the practice of organic agriculture in the Philippines that will cumulatively condition and enrich the fertility of the soil, increase farm productivity, reduce pollution and destruction of the environment, prevent the depletion of natural resources, further protect the health of farmers, consumers, and the general public, and save on imported farm inputs.”
Further, the organic agriculture law advocates “the promotion of community-based organic agriculture systems which include, among others, farmer-produced purely organic fertilizers such as compost, pesticides and other farm inputs, together with a nationwide educational and promotional campaign for their use and processing as well as adoption of organic agriculture system as a viable alternative.”
As can be gleaned from the above-quoted state policy, it is the intention of government not only to increase farm productivity, but also to: (a) improve the fertility of the soil, (b) reduce pollution and environment destruction, (c) prevent the depletion of natural resources, (d) improve the health of farmers, consumers and the general public, and (e) save on imported farm inputs.
It is very useful http://cute-n-tiny.com/tag/cat-toy/ get viagra no prescription in general debility, impotence and also provides strong erection during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil, bulk tadalafil so both these medicines are equally effective. This type of buy generic sildenafil has no open ad and the amount spent for appointing medical representatives increase the cost of branded medicines treatments is very high, most people now opt for cheaper options like kamagra, which works exactly like the original levitra by relaxing blood vessels, pumping enough blood flow to the penile region and eventually leading to powerful erections in bed. You can order levitra online sales any of the disorder and make sure to get through it as and when you get to know they are going through this disorder.It is our position that nothing in the results of the hybrid corn competition refers to these other important aspects of state policy on agriculture, as the competition has only highlighted farm productivity and specific characteristics of the winning corn varieties.
There have been no reports on whether these corn varieties serve to improve the fertility of the soil, reduce pollution and environment destruction.
More importantly, there are no reports on whether these corn hybrids pose no threats to the health of farmers, consumers or the general public. In fact, this should have been the major focus of the corn competition, as there is no point having massive profits if the short- and long-term health of the public will be compromised.
It has also been noted that since these corn hybrids are produced by a foreign corporation, farmers will certainly not save on imported farm inputs, contrary to the intended policy of the organic agriculture act.
Furthermore, it should also be disclosed whether these hybrid corns are true hybrids, and not genetically modified organisms (GMO). It has been noted that several agricultural products of Bayer include plant-incorporated protectant products such as Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2 insecticidal proteins, among others. Certainly, it should be determined whether these corn hybrid winners include the same modifications.
This is important to significantly apprise farmers and the public that despite eleven years of the organic agriculture law, GMOs in the agriculture sector continue to be marketed and sold in the country.
While under certain conditions, GMOs have been beneficial to the world, Philippine law has made exceptions in its use in the agricultural sector. It is the role of government to enforce specific restrictions or regulations in its use in our farmlands and agricultural products.
With the coronavirus pandemic constituting a major economic strain on the country’s agricultural output, the government and the public should be wary of agricultural products which may take advantage of the limitations our agricultural sector, particularly the absence of well-developed, domestic agri-chemicals and biotechnology sector.
As multinationals continue their overtures into agricultural sector, government should be steadfast in ensuring that their products fully comply with with existing agricultural laws and regulations.