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Archives (2000)

New program for speedy access of seeds by Dr. Saturnina Halos and Ms. Cecilia Baquireza

January-March 2000 Volume 2 No. 1

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has designed a seed delivery system that can ensure a continued access of genetically improved seeds to the majority of Filipino farmers. To efficiently supply genetically improved seeds in the most cost-effective manner, the system promotes private sector initiatives in seed delivery and ensures that farmers benefit at the same time.

The Seeds System Action Program promises to provide valuable service to help farmers increase their yields and profitability. Many studies have shown that the right variety of seeds could increase yields from 10% to more than 100%.

Being the most critical technology in agricultural production, the seed contains information on its growth limits, reaction to biotic and abiotic stress, and how to best produce the crop. This is the reason why efficient breeding and seed distribution programs are needed.

The DA Seed Action Program specifically aims to do the following:

• Promote a competitive seed industry through a strong private sector role and competitive pricing of seeds;
  
• Ensure access to improved seeds and planting stocks by all farmers;
  
• Ensure that the seed is disease-free and protected from pest;
  
• Promote equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources;
  
• Enhance active participation of LGUs, POs, and NGOs in agricultural development; and
  
• Strengthen individual capabilities and working relationships among the DA family.

With these objectives, several problems associated with genetically improved seeds can be addressed. These include problems of adoption such as the low usage of certified seeds due to high price, inaccessibility, low supply and dubious quality, and unstable market of certified seeds. Moreover, the Seeds Action Program can ensure a speedier and more effective delivery of services by DA units and render genetically improved seeds readily available.

The Seeds Action Program will target the following commodities: rice, corn, peanuts, mungbean, vegetable, high value commercial crops like rubber, cacao, mango, durian etc., citrus, bananas, orchids, potato, coconut, tobacco, abaca, sugarcane, and cotton. Additional features include specific seed production programs on rice, corn, and other high value commercial crops.

All activities of DA units as well as research related to the program shall be funded by the DA from AFMA funds and eventually as regular funds for the units concerned.

More Articles:

Vol. 2 No. 1 January-March 2000

»» Bar to support IPB's corn and veg research in CMU and BSU
»» DA targets P750 M R&D allocation for Mindanao
»» Gensan farmers clamor for more Bt crops
»» External review team to evaluate IDP proposals
»» The agri trade liberalization in focus
»» Reg VI, VII & VIII interface fisheries RDE programs
»» Philippine ricefields: assessing its ecological impacts
»» New program for speedy access of seeds
»» When biosafety goes overboard
»» Frequently asked questions about GMOs
»» RIFRCs' IT situation analyzed

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