Adoption of Biotech Crops in the Developing World: Case Studies of Farmers from China, India and the Philippines

Of the developing countries in Asia that grow biotech crops, China, India, and the Philippines have had the most extensive experience. They represent an unmatched wealth of critical information and insights towards a better understanding of the social environment that favors biotech crop adoption. Developing countries can learn from their experiences by knowing the adoptors of biotech crops, what factors influenced their adoption, and what significant changes have occurred in farmers’ lives.  

The JohnTempleton Foundation, International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), the National Academy of Science And Technology (NAST Philippines ) and the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project II (ABSPII) are co-organizing a conference to present key findings of a research project Adoption and Uptake Pathways of GM/Biotech Crops by Small-scale, Resource-poor Asian Farmers in China, India, and the Philippines and their implications to biotech adoption particularly in developing countries.

Key researchers and farmers from each of the three countries will discuss highlights of the research results and share experiences in growing Bt Corn (in the Philippines) and Bt Cotton (in China and India). Discussants from other developing countries will provide their insights to validate the Asian experience. A workshop will solicit policy recommendations to enhance biotech adoption in developing countries. The conference will also link stakeholders through a network to encourage interaction even after the event. In addition, participants will visit a biotech corn farm in Concepcion, Tarlac to enable them to interact with farmers.

Conference participants will be stakeholders in the agriculture arena represented by policy makers, scientists and researchers, media practitioners, extension workers, and farmers from the developing countries.

A limited number of participants will be provided support to attend the conference. Other interested delegates may attend the conference as fee-based participants. The conference will charge US$200 for registration (inclusive of meals and conference kit).  Participants requiring hotel accommodation will be charged a package rate of US$1,100 for single room or US$850 for a twin room. The deadline for registration is March 20, 2013.