Exactly 11 years ago today, over 400 Filipino farmers and activists heroically uprooted and rejected Golden Rice in their community in Bicol after exhausting all legal dialogues and being criminally betrayed by the proponents of Golden Rice at that time. This historic uprooting marked the International Day of Action. Moreover, it sparked a renewed debate and inquiry on the safety, aptness, and relevance of GMO crops in our food system. For this year, the International Day of Action Against Golden Rice further strengthened by the recent court ruling win against Golden Rice, reaffirms the Filipino farmers’ collective resolve to pursue a food system that is truly sustainable, just, and reflective of our local needs and values.

From the day we decided to take this matter into our own hands eleven years ago, up to the day we achieved our victory in the court this year, there is no doubt in my mind that we Filipino farmers know what is best for our farms and food system. That is why when we say we reject Golden Rice, it means that we only want what is best for everyone - a transformative food and agriculture system that is sustainable and has inclusive growth for all. This is something that Golden Rice can and will never do” said Simon Chua, a Bicolano farmer from SIKWAL GMO.

Chua’s sentiments were echoed by Viriginia “Nay Virgie” Nazareno, MASIPAG farmer chairwoman and also one of the petitioners of the historic case against Golden Rice, who emphasized the critical role of farmers in forging a transformative food system. “For the longest time, we have reiterated that Golden Rice is not the solution to malnutrition and food security as our country has more than enough local and traditional crops that are naturally nutritious and thrive within our local environment.

Moreover, Golden Rice follows the same chemical and capital-intensive agriculture model that other countries have now been replacing with agroecology” said Nay Virgie.