DA leads inauguration of new breeding laboratories in Central Luzon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Agriculture secretary William Dar together with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian inaugurated new breeding laboratories inside the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology (PhilSCAT) in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija province over the weekend.
The three laboratories of the PhilSCAT aim to produce high-yielding and quality rice varieties by improving the country's agricultural promotion, production, and research.
"China is ready to cooperate with the Philippines to promote the development of more than agricultural sciences and technology to make a great country's solution to food security and improve our people's living standards," Ambassador Huang Xilian stated during his handing message.
The current collaboration includes a coldwater irrigation system and seed multiplication of the Thermogenic Male Sterile (TGMS) to develop TGMS-based or two-line hybrid rice. Secretary Dar thanked and appreciated the contributions of the Chinese Embassy and PhilSCAT for their relentless efforts in helping and assisting the agriculture sector in the country.
"This PhilSCAT is a part of the legacy of friendship, cooperation, and collaboration. If you have to ask me whether we are interested in having a TCP IV, I will say we will strongly support TCP IV. I hope I can pursue this before the end of my term," the agri chief said.
He believed that the Technical Cooperation Program IV is important and must focus on smart agriculture and smart rice production.
In 2000, the Chinese and Philippine governments established the PhilSCAT, which symbolizes their alliance and strengthens the partnership in achieving communication and technical cooperation in agriculture and other sect or s.