P2.7M seed storage to rise in Marilog
THE Department of Agriculture 11 (DA 11) is constructing a P2.7 million worth corn seed storage facility in Davao Regional Upland Agriculture Research Station (Daruars) in Marilog District, Davao City.
The facility will be utilized for seed production of white corn varieties, which will be distributed to corn farmers across the region, and also for conducting varietal trial studies.
During the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, Martinet Roble, DA 11 Corn Program Coordinator said the corn seed storage aims to supply the needs of about 20 percent for the rice deficiency in the country.
Data from the University of the Philippines revealed that supply strategies should be complemented by remedies from the demand side to achieve rice self-sufficiency. One solution is promoting the consumption of alternative staples like corn that will help reduce rice intake.
“It would also produce good quality performance variety and develop a 20-hectare corn farm with an equivalent minimum production of 2,000 to 2,500 sacks seed capacity,” Roble said.
According to the data of DA 11 Regional Agriculture Engineering Division (Raed), the facility which has a total area of 120 sq.m wide will be functional in December this year.
The facility would also support the initiative of DA in pushing for a healthier Filipino through the Rice and Corn blend.