Author : Galvez, Joe

Summary : The farmer who capture the hearts and minds of the international farming community with his staunch defense of genetically engineered crops is now spearheading a movement in the countryside to ensure that biotechnology in crops, particularly the Bacillus thringiensis (Bt) corn, will be well within the reach of every Filipino farmer. Edwin Paraluman is a simple 47 -year old tiller from Barangay Lagao in General Santos City, South Cotabato. Although he holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree from the former Southern Island College (SIC), he preferred to work on his 2.5 hectare land, as did his father and forefathers before him. But because of his passion for experimenting with new crops, a twist of fate suddenly placed him in the spotlight of the international controversy over the Bt corn issue. Paraluman, the humble farmer from an obscure land in southern Mindanao, became the beacon of hope for corn farmers and scientists worldwide. he is now probably the most-traveled farmer advocate in the world in so short a span of time. Four years ago, when word of a new hybrid crop spread across Mindanao, Paraluman was quick to gather pertinent information regarding this new crop called Bt corn. he was awed by the testimonials of farmers from different countries regarding the potentials and rewards of Bt corn. He said that if the product is indeed true to its specs, then there is hope for lifting his family out of marginalized farming. He also added that if there are no farmers, we will all starve. People will die without the farmers. Definitely, biotechnology is the technology of this age and the future. It is the right technology that should be made available to the farmers. The farmer advocate never seems to tire when it comes to promoting Bt corn and modern technology.