Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center

Vision

Vibrant crop farming communities and the industry sector producing quality, accessible and globally competitive agricultural crops profitable for the Filipino.

Mission

Conserve and develop Philippine Plant Genetic Resources and ensure the protection and development of the plant industry.

History

The Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center, formerly known as the Davao Experiment Station located in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok District, Davao City was one of the first experimental stations operated by the defunct Fiber Division of the Bureau of Plant Industry. The station was charged mainly with the solution of the problems of the abaca industry in Mindanao.

In the pre-war years, the station was called the Bago Experimental Farm of the OTHA Development Company, a Japanese owned corporation with the idea of modernizing the cultivation of abaca in Davao. The project did not progress until the corporation established the Bago Experiment Station. The program of activities of the station gradually expanded. Experiments were not only focused on coconut, abaca and ramie but also to other crops such as citrus, pilinuts, durian, mabolo, rambutan, chico, marang, lychee, mangoes, star apple, Arabica coffee, African oil palm, blackpepper and rubber. The station received technical and financial aids from both the Ministry of Industry of Japan and the General’s Office of Formosa. The station was intended to become the center for the improvement of agricultural technology in Southeast Asia.

In 1947, the former Bureau of Plant Industry Director and the first station superintendent, Eugenio E. Cruz. succeeded in negotiating for the segregation of 46 hectares from the titled property of 1,004 hectares Japanese abaca plantation under the administration of the defunct National Abaca and other Fiber Corporation (NAFCO) for use by the BPI as an experimental station, hence the establishment of the Davao Experiment Station.

On March 25, 1952 NAFCO formally turned-over the whole 1,004 hectares to the Bureau of Plant Industry by virtue of Executive Order No. 372. Through the Executive Order No, 116 of President Corazon C. Aquino in January 1987, BPI was reorganized to become a staff bureau of the Department of Agriculture. As such, four (4) centers were retained all over the country. For Mindanao, the Davao Experiment Station was identified and was consequently renamed the Davao National Crop Research and Development Center (DNCRDC). In January 2015, it was again renamed as the Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (DNCRDPSC) under E.O. 366.

Mandate

The Davao National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center is mandated to generate and promote relevant technologies on tropical crops and the production of quality seeds and plant materials to enhance farmers’ productivity and food security for sustainable farming enterprise towards global competitiveness.

FUNCTIONS

Research and Development

  • Generation of improved and relevant technologies/information

Seed System Management

  • Production and distribution of quality seeds of Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) of corn and vegetables (Okra, Ampalaya, Pole Sitao, Bush Sitao, Cowpea and Indigenous Vegetable Crops)
  • Production and distribution of high quality planting materials of tropical fruit trees and plantation crops ( Durian, Pummelo, Rambutan, Lanzones, Mango, cacao and rubber) and other fruit crops with economic potential (Bread Fruit, Jackfruit, Abiu, Guayabano, Calamansi and some indigenous fruit crops).
  • Production and distribution of disease-free tissue cultured banana plantlets. Maintenance of foundation grove and budwood garden of NSIC registered varieties of tropical fruit trees and plantation crops.
  • Distribution of plant propagules of NSIC registered varieties of tropical fruit trees and plantation crops for mass propagation.

Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Development Activities

  • Collection, conservation, characterization, evaluation, utilization and maintenance of different species/accessions/varieties of fruits including indigenous fruit crops.

Promotion/Dissemination of Developed/Generated Technologies and Information

  • Techno-demonstration and distribution of IEC materials.

Research & Development Priorities

Identification, collection, maintenance and utilization of germplasm and indigenous genetic resources Selection, breeding and gene mapping Development of cultural management practices Crop protection management strategies Application of new pomological technologies.

Commodities

R & D priority or thrust commodities are focused on tropical fruit trees and plantation crop such as banana, durian, citrus, lanzones, papaya, mangosteen, rambutan, cacao and other special fruit crops that have economic potential.

SERVICES OFFERED

  • Inspection and evaluation of plant nurseries and facilitates submission of requirements for BPI accreditation.
  • Inspection and evaluation of tissue culture laboratories and facilitates submission of requirements for BPI accreditation.
  • Provide training/seminar on plant nursery accreditation guidelines
  • Cater farmer-clienteles’ need for cost-effective and eco-friendly control of plant pests and diseases.
  • Cater stakeholders’ need for high quality planting materials.
  • Cater plant nursery operators’ need for scion and budwood materials of NSIC registered varieties of tropical fruit trees and plantation crops.
  • Provide technical assistance through on-farm visitation, seminars/trainings, field demonstration, lectures and distribution of IEC materials.
  • Laboratory plant pests and diseases diagnosis or identification as per specimen submitted by farmer-clients.
  • Facilitate on-the-job-training students.