Call Prefix : PR-M

Call Suffix : 2002

Call Cutter : BIC411

Location : SEARCA Library

Format : Printed

Publication Date : March 2002

Summary : CVARRD organized an advocacy awareness campaign to counteract wrong information fed to the grassroots by providing them timely, factual and science-based information. Its objectives were: 1) to provide science-based information on agricultural biotechnology using appropriate formats and channels to various stakeholders; 2) to sensitize the local government officials, the farmers, technicians, and general public on the pros and cons and the biosafety considerations of modern biotechnology in agriculture; 3) to train field technicians and media practitioners on the dissemination and communication of information on biotechnology; and 4) to institutionalize a biotechnology information and resource center to sustain promotion and adoption in Isabela. Topics discussed: 1) Trends and status of biotechnology; overview of CVARRD; 2) Biotechnology advocacy and awareness campaign; 3) SEARCA-BIC and ISAAA biotechnology programs; 4) Biotechnology: basics and concepts and prospects in agriculture; 5) Issues and concerns on biotechnology; 6) The Bt corn field trial protocol and significant results; 7) Regulatory approaches on biotechnology; 8) Communication approaches: how to be an effective biotechnology communicator.