Beyond the Misinformation: A Farmer's Stand

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:03:01 GMT

By Adriel Dave “AD” Alvarez: San Francisco, (Camotes Islands), Cebu, Philippines

One of the challenges we as farmers have to deal with in this day and age is the bulk of misinformation that comes out in the information super hi-way: the internet. Along with these are groups and strong advocates on the opposing side of agriculture innovations. Personally, I welcome a learning discourse, but when the other side does not listen to logic and begin misrepresenting, that is where I would make a stand.

Activists are plenty, too, in the Philippines. When these activists perform their stunts, everyone loses—especially farmers, who have the most to gain from fact-based exchanges about the benefits of technology.

Unfortunately, that’s how things often go here in the Philippines. Farmers like me are needed to join the conversation about agricultural innovations. Professional protest groups seek to silence us through intimidation.

I was invited to join a meeting by the Department of Agriculture as a resource speaker and corn farmer. The meeting’s focus was to raise awareness and share perspective from the ground in relation to “Plant Variety Protection” and how farmers like me decide where to source seeds we use for our crops. The meeting was jointly organized by Naktuinbuow and the Bureau of Plant and Industry – Department of Agriculture.

Activists showed up in the meeting and staged a lightning protest in the middle of the meeting. It was rude and disruptive. They managed to do it since some of the organizations they represent were cordially invited to attend the meeting as participants. Their behavior was done in bad faith.

I witnessed the protest. They are a collection of quasi-farmer militants and the intention was to disrupt the meeting. Perhaps one of their targets is the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants, better known as UPOV . The Swiss-based organization describes its mission on its website: “to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection, with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.” The activists’ protest does not resonate as a “pro-farmer” stand nor were they interested in a sensible conversation. After they had taken a photo, they all left the meeting before it even completed.

UPOV’s goal is simple and compelling—and anyone interested in food security should embrace it.

The world needs more plants varieties. As researchers breed improved and more resilient crops, farmers will grow more food on less land and in more sustainable ways, as they contend with the traditional threats of weeds, pests, and disease plus the growing menace of climate change.

UPOV is a vital partner, especially because it aims to defend the intellectual property rights that make so many technological advances possible.

The meeting I attended was entitled “Raising Awareness Seminar” on August 22 in Quezon City, near Manila, in conjunction with my government’s Department of Agriculture, which would like to become a formal member of UPOV, so that the seed industry in the Philippines can prosper.

I was invited to speak at the meeting, to provide the perspective of a corn farmer relating to seeds, plant varieties, their trade and protection. I made the long journey from the Camotes Islands, where I’ve been using and demonstrating to other farmers cutting-edge seeds to boost my production and serve as an agriculture extension service for other farmers to benefit. I have a great story to tell about how technology can help farmers flourish, even in remote areas and in difficult conditions.

This is not just about exhibiting bad manners, though, because now they’re spreading lies. They’re using their photo for propaganda, claiming that farmers oppose technologies such as Golden Rice and BT eggplant.

This is anti-science and anti-farmer nonsense. I’m on the record as a farmer who supports both of these technologies as well as the seeds that make them possible. Golden Rice is an option to effectively fight malnutrition and reduce a scourge of childhood blindness caused by vitamin-A deficiency. Bt eggplant , improves production by defeating pests.

These are amazing and safe innovations that will allow farmers to thrive. They will serve consumers, too, by improving their health and enhancing their food security.

We need opportunities to discuss all of these matters, especially because agricultural technologies are now under legal attack in the Philippines. We also must address the proliferation of unlicensed seeds by those who want to ignore patents and escape paying for the intellectual property of others.

Through forums such as UPOV’s “Raising Awareness Seminar,” we can have rational conversations among scientists, seed producers, farmers, government and the public.

I’m willing to engage with anyone, including skeptics of agricultural technology. I’m ready to listen to their concerns and happy to take their questions. We may not agree on everything, but we can talk and try to find common ground.

This is how we move forward.

Sadly, the protestors want to move backward. They want to muzzle farmers like me and spread misinformation about what we really believe.

I aspire to raise awareness. They intend to lower it.

They will fail because so many farmers support and want access to crop technologies such as Golden Rice and Bt eggplant as well as the sensible regulations that enable agricultural technology.

We refuse to be silent.

Our truth will beat their lies.

AD Alvarez raised corn by using and demonstrating modern agriculture technology on his 8-ha farm in Cebu, Philippines. Today they also produce squash and eggplant. Trained as a minister, AD has been recognized as the Most Outstanding Corn Farmer in Cebu and is a member of the Global Farmer Network. www.globalfarmernetwork.org

Clinton Griffiths: Life Lessons from the Gifting Shelf

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:10:45 GMT

Every year around Christmas, post-meal and before the next yuletide western begins, someone starts yelling “It’s time! It’s time!” The family scoots and shuffles around the living room at my parent’s place in New Mexico.

There’s always a measure of unbridled excitement, a few grumbles, dutiful chair scooting and a reference to “Clark” at least twice before the group fully assembles.

It’s a collage of generations now 15 people strong.

THE THOUGHT COUNTS

We always try to do a gift exchange. It’s never big or extravagant but truly the thought that counts. Each year as the paper and packages fly open there are plenty of oohs and aahs to go around. There’s often a pair of work gloves, a warm sweatshirt or sweater in school colors, a holiday knick-knack and something covered in chocolate.

I’ve found over time that buying for an agricultural proprietor (my folks) is harder than beating Yellowstone’s Rip in a fist fight.
What do you get someone whose wish list starts at $15K? Fencing pliers rarely wear out, cordless tools are plentiful, and tax time business expenses are already bought.

There have been plenty of rain gauges through the years. Iron yard art is common. A hat with ear flaps. I’ve tried a litany of gifts, and I always know how I’ve done by whether it ends up on the “gifting shelf.”

MY GIFTING GOAL

A 4’x5' metal shelf in the barn, the gifting shelf that holds a myriad of dusty presents from Christmas past. Like markers of time, the gifts leave the house and are carefully placed there for future use. Only they never leave or get used.

When I was younger (in my 20s) it used to frustrate me. I grumbled and mumbled whenever stumbling across a hard-thought holiday handout sitting in its unused dusty glory. Now, it’s a challenge. It’s a goal.

Can I give something of worth in the coming year? Now older, I didn’t say much older, I know the thoughts are what matter. It’s the moments of ooh and aah, the excitement of discovery and the time laughing and sharing these memories together that matter.

The gifts are the passenger, not the purpose. Presents, while never perfect, are perfectly appreciated.

This holiday season may you enjoy time with family enough that the gifts gather dust in perpetuity on your very own gifting shelf.

Clinton Griffiths is a TV newsman, turned magazine editor, with a passion for good stories. He believes the best life lessons can be found down a dirt road.

Produce Education

Beyond the Misinformation: A Farmer's Stand

Clinton Griffiths: Life Lessons from the Gifting Shelf

THE THOUGHT COUNTS

MY GIFTING GOAL