KMP is the principle host of the nationwide event in the Philippines between November 27-30 as it moves through the Northern Luzon region – involving farmers from Isabela, Nueva Viscaya and Nueve Ecija – and the Central Luzon region – involving farmers from Bicol, Camarines Sur, Quezon and Laguna. Activities will also start in Davao City, Mindanao travelling to Davao del Sur and General Santos City culminating in Manila.

According to Rafael Marino, Chairperson of KMP, the caravan expressed the international solidarity among farmers to resist the monopoly control of agrochemical transnational corporations (TNCs). "Just like our brothers and sisters in other countries, we, Philippines farmers are bled dry by these manufacturers of poison. They are reaping super profits at the expense of the farmers’ livelihood and everybody’s health," he said.

Sarojeni V. Rengam, Executive Director, PAN AP said: "We want land and food without poisons. Asian governments and governments all over the world have not protected the health of people and the environment. They have allowed dangerous pesticides to be used which have found their way into our food and water. We are challenging them to put the health of people first, not

profits."

Habibur Rahman, a farmer with Nayakrishi Andolon (New Agriculture Movement) and

Sunil Kumar Dev Roy, a community leader and farmer with SHISUK, Bangladesh and Ms. Albertina Hendrastutm, a farmer leader with the Women’s Farmers Group Network, Central Java, Indonesia, shared experiences from their countries on the reality of growing food without poisons and genetically engineered technologies.

Speaking on the challenges of pesticide exposure and poisoning faced by her local community, Ms. Deling Adela Pastidiom of Pumalag (Unity of Peasants), Laguna and the Alliance of Peasants, Workers and other Sectors passionately challenged government authorities to address these problems.

The caravan started today with fora and mobilisations sponsored by KMP chapters all over the country. In Munoz Nueva Ecija, farmers held discussions with representatives from PhilRice to register their opposition to the institution’s involvement in promoting genetically engineered rice.

Thousands of farmers will travel to Quezon City on November 28 to share their experiences during a "Safe Food Festival" and vigil in front of the Department of Agriculture. They will picket in front of the office of the giant agrochemical TNC, Monsanto on November 29 and proceed to the United States Embassy to commemorate "One Year Since Seattle".

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