DA-BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D., emphasized the critical role of seeds in agriculture, stating, “Seeds are not merely agricultural inputs; they are the very foundation of productivity, resilience, and food security.”
He also added how the bureau’s initiative forms congruence with the objectives of the summit, specifically stating the strengthening of seed certification and varietal registration processes to ensure they are transparent, high-quality, and responsive to the needs of farmers.
He highlighted the efforts of the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and its Technical Working Groups in streamlining the varietal registration process, promoting inclusivity for public institutions, private breeders, and farmer-bred traditional varieties alike.
Recognizing the importance of grassroots innovation and collaboration, Director Panganiban champions expanded support for regional seed production systems, in partnership with LGUs, seed cooperatives, and community-based producers. He also advocates for digital transformation through improved data systems for seed inventory, source mapping, and registration platforms, which lay the groundwork for a more modern, efficient, and farmer-centered seed sector.
#SeedSummit
#MasaganangBagongPilipinas
#BagongPilipinas
(052925-45)
The High Value Crop (HVC) industry faces several key challenges as identified by DA Under Secretary for High-Value Crops Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, MTM. These include limited access to high-quality, locally adapted seeds; issues related to climate resilience and disease resistance; fragmented seed supply chains; high production costs; gaps in research and development; and barriers in regulatory and market access.
To support the HVC, she added that the Seed System Development initiative focuses on five main areas: making quality seeds and planting materials more accessible, advancing research and breeding programs, helping local seed producers through training and community efforts, improving seed certification and monitoring systems, and connecting producers to markets through better value chain integration.
As of now, the innovations for HVCs include the sourcing of clean garlic seeds from Batanes, the establishment of an onion research and extension hub in Bongabon, the expansion of banana plantations through tissue culture and export, GI recognition and export for Guimaras mango, and sustainable varietal trials for potato production.
#SeedSummit
#MasaganangBagongPilipinas
#BagongPilipinas
(052925-45)
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