Tag: transgenic

Transgenic fish 21st century solution to decreased fish farming productivity

Fish, seaweed and shellfish farming are traditional practices in the Philippines. Farming bangus, oyster and tahong cultures are probably the older practices as compared to tilapia farming which was introduced only in the 1950s, and prawn and seaweed farming in the late-1970s. Farming other fish and shellfish started only recently. Fish farming or aquaculture needs to grow in order to feed a rapidly growing population. And the continuing decrease in fish catches from both fresh and saltwater sources makes this need all the more urgent. This concern is felt not only in the Philippines but in the whole world. In the US alone, aquaculture production has grown 5-10% annually in the past decade. From 1984-1998 , global aquaculture production more than doubled. The UN said world aquaculture production must increase seven times in the next 25 to 30 years just to maintain current levels of consumption.

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GMO Cabbage

GMO Cabbage:

One Component of Sustainable Pest Control

 

Bacillus thurengiensis (BT) is a natural bacterium that is widely used as a safe and effective pesticide.

 

Current approaches used by farmers to control pests in cabbage crops are failing. More pests are emerging, pesticide abuse is rampant, and pesticide residues are often detected on cabbage at the market. In response, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) called a meeting to discuss innovative and sustainable approaches to cabbage pest control. Representatives from environmental, regulatory, research and consumer communities in India attended.

            Dr. O.P. Dubey of ICAR presented the background to the issues faced. He reported that the number of pests attacking cabbage in India has increased from 10 to 38 since 1920. This is despite the use of pesticides, pheromone traps, trap crops, pest-resistant varieties, and other pest management strategies. Although the volume of pesticides used in India has declined from 75,000 MT in 1990-91 to 43,600 MT in 2001-01, pesticide abuse is rampant and pesticide residues persist as a major problem (12% of vegetables at the market have unacceptable levels of residues).

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