On September 25, 2024, the Seed Homecoming Ceremony brought together scientists, academicians, researchers, and community members at the IPB Seminar Room, UP Los Baños. The event celebrated the rich history and agricultural legacy of seeds, drawing participants passionate about preserving seed diversity and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The initiative behind the ceremony involved the safety duplication of germplasm with international gene banks—a strategic effort demonstrating the community’s foresight and commitment to protecting the nation’s agricultural heritage for future generations.
The ceremony formally began with opening remarks from Mr. Elmer E. Enicola, Director of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB). This was followed by a brief but meaningful recollection from Dr. Liwayway M. Engle, former head of the Genetic Resources and Seed Unit at the World Vegetable Center (WVC), who provided the historical background of this initiative. Her insights highlighted the deep, symbolic relationship between farmers, the land, and the seeds they nurture.
Key messages were also delivered by notable figures, including UP Los Baños Chancellor Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., former WVC Director Dr. Emil O. Javier, and Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Assistant Director for Research, Development, and Production Support Services at the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Dr. Maarten van Zonneveld, Head of Genetic Resources at WVC, presented an overview of the Taiwan Asia Vegetable Initiative (TAsVI). He emphasized the initiative’s goal of strengthening international collaboration to rescue and safeguard vegetable biodiversity in Asia, ensuring climate-resilient and healthy food systems. The initiative also aims to reintroduce unique vegetable species that have disappeared from their native countries, using seed samples collected and preserved by international agricultural research institutes over the past three decades.
Through TAsVi, 2,225 seed accessions of unique and lost vegetable varieties, collected in the 1990s and 2000s were conserved at the World Vegetable Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory and were successfully repatriated to Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The event continued with remarks from Minister Dustin Teng-shi Yang, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, followed by the ceremonial seed turnover led by Dr. van Zonneveld, Minister Ten-shi Yang, Dr. Gabertan, and Dr. Camacho. This symbolic gesture underscored the importance of collaboration within the Philippines and with international partners in safeguarding agricultural biodiversity.
The Seed Homecoming Ceremony highlighted the unwavering commitment of stakeholders to conserving and nurturing plant genetic resources. These collaborative efforts are vital in ensuring that the genetic wealth of plant resources is not only preserved but also fully utilized to address climate change, pest challenges, diseases, and the evolving agricultural landscape and market demands.
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