Recognizing the importance of integrating research, effective communication and science-based regulatory frameworks in harnessing the full potential of agri-biotechnology to fuel sustainable agricultural development, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) partnered with the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Malaysian Biotechnology Information Center and Monash University in organizing the Asian Short Course on Agri-biotechnology, Biosafety Regulation and Communication.
Now on its second year, the program aims to enable participants to have a better understanding of the entire value chain of living modified organisms (LMOs), as well as national and international legal instruments regarding LMOs.
It also aims to discuss effective communication of agri-biotechnology and biosafety regulation.
In his opening message, SEARCA Director and National Academician Glenn B. Gregorio, highlighted SEARCA's important role in advancing science-based innovations to address poverty and food security.
"We stand behind products of agri-biotechnology that increase agricultural productivity to feed a growing population in the midst of dwindling natural resources and erratic changes in climate," Gregorio said.
"Due attention must be given to our resource-poor farmers by providing them access to information, best practices and new technologies that gives them a fighting chance to cope with the many challenges they face and to open up better opportunities for them and their families so that they can have better quality lives," he adds.
According to Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan, ISAAA Global coordinator, "We organized this training program to bring our Asian stakeholders updated information and hands-on experience on agri-biotechnology, exercises on food/feed safety assessment, and tips on strategic communication, and risk management and communication."
This year's Asian Short Course on Agri-biotechnology gathers 25 participants from both public and private sectors of eight countries. These are China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.