Seed firms partner with DA in Region 2

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya: At least seven seed companies have partnered with the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with the signing of an agreement that is expected to boost the Rice Hybridization Program (RHP) in the region.

Narciso Edillo, DA- Region 2 executive directorL said the RHP is one of the strategies of the DA Central Office to increase production through the provision of hybrid seeds adaptable in the region, thus the agreement between his office and the seed companies.

The companies include bayer Crop Science Inc., SL Agritech

Corp., Pioneer Hi- bred Philippines Inc./Corteva Agri ScienceL bioseed Research Philippines Inc.L Seedworks Philippines Inc., Longping Tropical Rice Development Inc. and Syngenta Philippines Inc.

He said the partnership …ill ensure the successful implementation of the RHP in the region that comprises the provinces of

Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and QuirinoL including the island province of batanes.

“The Cagayan Valley region is no… ready to implement the program in partnership … ith the private sector and the local government units (LGUs) with a total target of 69,508 hectares to be planted with hybrid rice for this …et seasonL” Edillo said.

“Please help us prove that using hybrid during wet season is a productive endeavor of our farmers as per research resultsL” he added.

Edillo explained the agreement …as in compliance …ith the directives of DA Central Office and Rice Productivity Advocacy Inc. (Rice board) that all seed companies participating in the Rice Resiliency

Project (RRP) shall provide technical assistance to farmers from planting to harvesting as their social responsibility.

He added the DA Central Office envisions attaining food security and improve farmers’ productivity and income in the near future with the battlecry Masaganang Ani, Mataas na Kita (good harvestL high income) through the leadership of Agriculture Secretary William Dar.

Roberto Busania, DA-Region 2 operations technical directorL said the RHP is a component of the RRP to be implemented this wet season all over Cagayan Valley.

“We are looking for…ard that this forged alliance …ith the private sector …ill help solve the lo… level of adoption of hybrid seeds despite the government’s intervention on seed subsidy to farmers,” busania said.

Under the agreementL the companies …ill have to ensure that seeds delivered have passed the seed standardL replace those …ith poor germination based on laboratory test results conducted by the bureau of Plant and IndustryL and ensure the availability of seeds on time as per purchase order.

The companies …ill also provide technical assistance in the implementation of the program by monitoring seed distribution, conducting technical briefing on the package of technologyL monitoring crop establishment from seed so…ing to harvestingL conducting baseline profiling of farmers, and establishing a production learning center.

On the other handL the DA …ill procure hybrid rice seeds, allocate the seeds to various municipalities based on farmer’s preference, and assign staff to assist in the implementation of the program in partnership with the LGU and the private sector.

Marvin Luis, the RRP regional coordinatorL said the purpose of the agreement between DA-Region 2 and hybrid rice seed suppliers to jointly implement the RHP is to make rice farmers in the region harvest and earn more.

“Through this collaborative effortL …e can improve implementation especially at the ground levelL” Luis said.