BCP launches children’s book on agricultural biotechnology

The Biotech Coalition of the Philippines (BCP) recently launched a kiddie book titled Lina’s Town Rises Again which tells the true and inspiring story of how agricultural biotechnology positively transformed a lady farmer’s life and made her farming community recover from the aftermath of a devastating typhoon.
Consolacion Reyes’ life turned upside down when Typhoon Pablo not only destroyed her house and crops but also her entire community. She and her neighbors were forced to take shelter at an evacuation center when the entire municipality of Lambayong went under water. Upon coming back, they saw that the super typhoon did not spare them anything.
Seeing her difficulty, a good samaritan lent her money which she used to buy Bt corn seeds. Her harvest was tremendous so that after some time she was already back on her feet. A few more harvests and she started to earn serious money. Now, she is among the prosperous farmers in her town.
Written by Chat Garrido-Ocampo who has previously authored two children’s books, Lina’s Town Rises Again follows a writing style that is highly informative without losing its entertainment value. The book keeps the interest of its young readers high while conveying technical information. Ocampo said that by writing this book, she is able to do her share in keeping the young generation interested in matters related to agriculture. “The need to feed a growing populace is compelling and if the next generation does not give agriculture the appropriate attention, how do we expect to provide adequate food for everyone?” Ocampo said.
BCP Executive Director Abraham Manalo said the book “helps young readers understand that safe and responsible use of agricultural biotechnology can make farming a lucrative activity. Farmers do not have to exist at subsistence level especially when they have access to and are able to use technology that can help them achieve better yield and therefore have higher income.”
The book launching at Project 6 Elementary School in Quezon City was attended by more than 200 elementary school children ages 8-10, their teachers and members of the media and the biotech seed industry.