Philippines: 'No need for genetically modified strawberries'

Benguet farmers do not need frost resistant varieties of strawberries yet. Leoncia Tandang, a professor from the College of Agriculture of Benguet State University, said while there are already genetically modified varieties of strawberries available abroad, strawberry farmers in the province do not need it.

This is because the volume of production is so far sufficient and the quality of strawberries is still the best in the country considering the taste and sizes, Tandang said.

While there is an existing challenge in the production during monsoon season or in times of cold weather in the province which causes frost in the plantations, she believes farmers will still be able to get good harvest.

Tandang added no GMO variety of strawberry is yet being used in the province although there are so-called "open pollinated varieties.

These open-pollinated varieties are imported from other countries which are only used for vegetative propagation.

She said seeds of these open-pollinated seeds varieties can be grown by the farmers in the province themselves.

The professor noted that they, in the university are trying to produce more open-pollinated varieties not only of strawberries but other highland vegetables.

"The open-pollinated varieties are comparable to hybrid pero yung generation niya is very slow," she said, noting the seeds may develop in three to five years."

Source: sunstar.com.ph