DOST joins new global studies for resilient seeds

The Italy-based Alliance of Bioversity International and the Department of Science and Technology will be developing climate-resilient seeds for various crops and information technologies.

In a statement emailed to The Daily Tribune on Wednesday, DOST said it signed a memorandum of understanding with the foreign group to expand genetic research and development of seeds resistant to climate change and require less resources.

The United Nations' International Center for Tropical Agriculture is also a signatory of the memorandum and studies 65,000 crop varieties.

To kick-start efforts for their goal, DOST said its department secretary Renato Solidum recently visited the Alliance of Bioversity International's seed bank and laboratory in Palmira, Colombia where he met scientists studying cassava, rice, and other tropical crops.

"At the core of it all, all we want is a better future for our people and the environment. In line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, we wish to end hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture," Solidum said.

DOST said its partners will also explore agricultural uses of technologies for data-gathering and analyses, such as artificial intelligence, internet, blockchain and drones.

"This allows us to build on our existing portfolio and at the same time, respond to arising needs to achieve development outcomes in the agriculture and environment sectors through science and technology," Stephan Weise, managing director for Asia of the Alliance Bioversity International, said.

Philippine agricultural productivity might decrease by 9 percent to 21 percent by 2050 if climate change is not addressed, research by the World Bank revealed.

It added climate change-induced typhoons and drought destroyed 84 percent of local rice production from 1970 to 1990.