DA trains East
Visayas farmers on OPV corn seed production, certification
By Philippine Information
Agency (PIA 8)
April 22, 2013
BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – The
Department of Agriculture recently trained agricultural extension
workers and twenty farmer leaders on the production and certification
of Open Pollinated Variety of corn seeds in order to ensure the ready
and available corn seeds in the Region.
DA-8 Regional Executive
Director Antonio Gerundio said that the activity is in line with the
nationwide campaign of the department to increase the production of
high quality corn seeds.
The five (5) day intensive
training which was held on April 8-12, 2013 at the Agricultural
Training Institute, Regional Training Center 8 (ATI-RTC 8), Baybay
City, Leyte, was also part of the overall capability building efforts
for local extension workers to improve their delivery of adequate and
client-responsive corn extension services.
The training participants
were expected to gain knowledge and skills on the OPV corn seed
production such as its protocol, the different varieties,
characteristics and selection techniques, and the policies,
guidelines, procedures and techniques in crop production and
management for certification purposes.
Resource speakers who were
invited to enlighten the participants on the various topics included
Mr. Uldarico C. Amihan of the Regional Seed Quality Control Services (RSQCS),
Dr. Othello B. Capuno of the Visayas State University (VSU), Dr.
Benito S. Andaya of BPI-NSQCS, Dr. Daniel Leslie Tan of PhilRootcrops,
and DA-8 officials Mr. Fabian Aldiano, Mr. Juanito Baring, Ms Nemia
Israel, Engr. Melecia Gordillo, MsNilda Robin, Mr. Arturo Bacoy and Ms
Elvira Hipe, Mr. Francis Rosaroso, DA Information chief said.
After the
lecture-discussion, an action planning followed to operationalize the
learnings of the participants, Mr. Rosaroso said.
The participants also had a
tour to the DA-8’s Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center at
Babatngon, Leyte for their practicum on field inspection and rouging.
They were likewise exposed
to the procedures in seed certification being conducted by the
National Seed Quality Control Services laboratory.
Aside from the capability
building of program partners which contributes to increasing
performance of the sector, the Corn Program of the Department of
Agriculture also provides support for the production of quality corn
seeds and cassava seed pieces, management of technology-based
production systems, provision of pre- and postharvest facilities and
equipment, and strengthening of farmers’ organizations, Mr. Rosaroso
added.
Corn production in the
region for calendar year 2012 was 87,333 MT. This was 3.98% higher
than the 2011 level of 83,992 MT, the Department of Agriculture Region
8 said.