The formal seed sector only meets a small proportion of farmers’rice seed requirements in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. To cope with the growing demands, far mers have organized themselves in seed clubs to produce and supply the needed seeds themselves. This study assesses the status of rice seed production and proposes a  model of how to ensure adequate seed supply in the Mekong Delta.  Data of total seed production, distribution, prices, and used varieties of each crop season was collected from 19 seed stations and 309 seed clubs in all the 13 provinces of the Delta for the whole year of 2008. One hundred sixty none far mers were interviewed about seed demand and supply. Effective demand of seed in the Mekong Delta was about 0.55 million tons/year.  The formal seed system met 3.5% and the infor mal seed system supplied more 16% of needed amounts. The infor mal system had significantly lower seed prices, but more diversity of rice varieties than the formal seed system. Both seed systems supplied seeds of rice varieties that had not yet been certified by the for mal sector. Thus, new varieties were of high demand. Socialization of seed production was recommended to ensure the local seed supply systems for developing  sustainable agriculture in the future. Results of this study indicate status of seed demands and supply to improve and link developing among seed systems in the Mekong Delta. [To download the full article, please click here]

Civil society and cultural groups urged the Department of Agriculture to stop the field trial of Genetically-Modified Organism (GMO) eggplant in the Philippines until the government is able to ascertain its safety for human and animal consumption, and a credible risk assessment is available, appropriate to the actual conditions of the local environment and biodiversity of the Philippines.

Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives on Community Empowerment (SEARICE) hosted the dinner of the participants of the EarthDance Festival today at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani through a boodle attack of the organic eggplant.

“The boodle intends to dramatize the people’s conviction to protect organic agriculture against contamination from GMOs and to amplify the potential threat of genetic engineering to the environment and eventually to the Filipinos’ food on the table,” said Jean Lugasip, SEARICE Policy Officer. 

EarthDance Manila led the EarthDance Festival that started on September 18 and lasted until the morning of September 19. The festival, simultaneously held with the other events worldwide, featured organic products in the Green Market and cultural presentations from different cultural and indigenous groups around the Philippines. The latter did rituals and dances to pray for peace and healing of the earth.

Creative Recipes, Safe and Healthy Food

This is a recipe book to show the many ways that the talong can be prepared. The recipes here include common and modified, not genetically, combinations of ingredients for a delectable culinary experience. This publication is intended to increase our appreciation for the talong, which is cholesterol-free and contains important phytonutrients (known as nasumin, an antioxidant), phenolic compounds and flavonoids that are helpful in reducing toxins inside the body.

DAGUPAN, PANGASINAN – For fear of possible contamination of the organic farms and the potential threat on the health of the people and the environment, farmers, consumers and civil society groups protested the field trial of GMO eggplant in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan, in a public forum held at the Lyceum Northwestern University in this city.

“We call on Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino Jr .and the administration of Pangasinan State University (PSU) to listen to the people’s opposition as the field trial of Bt Eggplant may pose potential danger to the other vegetable plants nearby and contaminate the food of the people,” said Dr. Celeste Castro, National President of the National Federation of Centers of Human Rights Education and Head of the Community Extension Center and Human Rights Education at the Lyceum Northwestern University in Dagupan.

Regional NGO South East Asian Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE), Consumer Rights for Safe Food (CRSF) and Greenpeace spoke during the public forum and raised the alarm as the PSU is set to commence the second field trial of Bt Eggplant at the 1,000 square meter property of Gen. Marcelo Brando in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan in October. The first testing was held during the dry season last April.