Untapped inheritance?

Can BBM complete father's legacy for farmers?

- By JUNEP OCAMPO

On Sept. 11, 1982, his 65th birthday, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. unveiled one of the most ambitious scientific projects of his administration: a national biotechnology center at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB).

Funded by the Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Foundation, the center was launched not merely as a research hub, but as a symbol of his deep belief that science and technology were essential to national development.

At the entrance of the building, a plaque still bears his words: "Science and technology are indispensable instruments for national development. No nation in this century can hope to grow and develop without the aid" of its scientists and technicians." Four decades later, one of the most promising products to emerge from that vision is still waiting to be fully recognized.

It is called Bio N. It is a microbial inoculant developed by Filipino scientists, designed to help farmers grow healthier crops while reducing their dependence on costly synthetic fertilizers. And it may now have a second chance to change Philippine agriculture, with the son of its original champion at the helm of government.

Born of crisis, built on science The roots of Bio N stretch back to 1979, when Marcos Sr. sought solutions to the global oil crisis and its impact on agriculture. Fertilizer prices were rising, and the Philippines needed to become more selfsufficient in food production.

Working with National Scientist Emil Javier and other agricultural leaders, Marcos pushed for the establishment of a biotechnology program focused on Filipino-led innovations.