The planting of genetically modified organisms such as the Bacillus Thuringiensis of Bt corn is banned in Negros Oriental, provincial agriculturist Gregorio Paltinca reiterated yesterday.

He said the ban is in line with the agreement of the province with the Negros Island Sustainable and Rural Agricultural Development in promoting organic farming technology.

Earlier, the Department of Agriculture has announced that the Bt corn will be included in the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani program of the government.

Paltinca, however, said using GMO's for corn and palay seeds will affect the native variety and will contradict the campaign for organic farming.

Negros Oriental has 50,000 hectares of corn areas.

The NISARD program was approved in 2005 but the ban on GMO's in the province started only last year 2006.

The Provincial Agriculture Office is distributing organic fertilizers from vermie culture using African night crawler earthworms. A liquid organic pesticide technology is also propagated and spread to the different farmer organizations, the PAO added.*MA

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