The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) marked another milestone in its pursuit of agricultural excellence with the blessing and inauguration of the National Seed Quality Control Services NSQCS–BARMM Building located at the Integrated Agricultural Research Center (BARMMIARC) Compound, Nuling, Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte on October 15, 2025.

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Ms. Omara M. Kempa, Chief of BPI-NSQCS for BARMM and Region XII, described the inauguration of the new NSQCS building as a chapter of triumph. She expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture, the BPI, and the Bangsamoro government for their strong support in realizing this long-awaited facility.

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BPI Assistant Director for Regulatory Services and concurrent Chief of the NSQCS Ruel C. Gesmundo said that the laboratory, equipped with advanced facilities and skilled personnel, stands ready to serve BPI stakeholders through quality seed testing and certification.

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BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D. described the 2-storey facility as a symbol of BPI’s commitment to farmers, emphasizing that quality seeds are the foundation of a productive and resilient agriculture sector. He highlighted that the new NSQCS building embodies the Bureau’s goal to ensure the availability of high-quality, science-based, and certified seeds in the region.

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Undersecretary Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, CESO I Undersecretary for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Undersecretary for Mindanao Concerns called the building a seed of autonomy and heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving heirloom and traditional varieties that embody the identity of the Bangsamoro people. The building will serve as a repository for heirloom seeds and a center for producing pure, viable, and high-yielding varieties, empowering the region’s farmers toward sustainability and self-sufficiency.

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Director Sailila E. Abdula, Ph.D., of the DA-PhilRice Midsayap expressed optimism that the new facility will open up more opportunities for seed growers, improve rice productivity, and strengthen food security in the BARMM. He also emphasized PhilRice’s partnership with MAFAR in testing new rice varieties adaptable to the region’s diverse agricultural environments, including marshlands that need targeted interventions.

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MAFAR-BARMM’s Director Tong Abas of the Research, Development and Extension and the regional seed coordinator stressed the importance of seed quality in increasing regional production. With around 30% of BARMM’s rice production area being irrigated, he called for maximizing the use of certified seeds and expanding the number of accredited seed growers to meet local demand.

Equipped with laboratories for seed testing, germination, and varietal purity analysis, the NSQCS–BARMM Building ensures that farmers have access to quality-assured seeds vital to boosting yield and profitability.

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