The Ministry of Agriculture (DA) says it expects to achieve at least 90% of self-servicefiBy 2028, seed efficiency in all crops isolating agriculture from supply chain shocks.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Roger V.
Each province sets a goal of 90% self-servicefiHe said during a Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI) event that all crops in the region are seed efficient.
Mr Navarro said that self-sufficiency in seeds has the potential to reduce production and transportation costs.
He touted the seeds produced at home and adapted to local conditions.
Timely use of seeds also ensures optimal planting for farmers.
Julius Barcelona, vice president of the Philippine Seed Industry Association, said the private sector, including private growers and breeders, remains the main driver of seed innovation, with most seed companies “cultivating” 30%-40% of 30%-40%, accounting for products developing new seed varieties.
He also pointed out that domestic seed companies are active in the promotion and capacity-building plans of small farmers.
However, Mr Barcelona noted that seed companies are still reluctant to invest in varieties that are not ProfiTables or demand is low.
In Asia – PatchfiC, The demand for seeds is in vegetables and rice. Beans are often “underrepresented” in corporate portfolios throughout the region.
He said many seed companies restrict their activities to sales and are not engaged in promotional services.
Mr Navarro said DA is not only for harvesting crops, but also for refrigeration facilities for seeds.
He added that it plans to build a central and regional gene bank managed by BPI.
He said the government also hopes state universities and universities will improve courses around plant breeding, plant variety improvement and seed health. – Kyle Aristopher T. Atienza
