Philippines Seed Industry News

2023 News

Q4

Ilocos Norte Office Worker Succeeds in Agribusiness: 24 Nov: Macon Marcelino Dawey, a former financial worker, has successfully transitioned to agriculture, establishing the Dawey Integrated Farm in Ilocos Norte, Philippines. Initially facing challenges in hog breeding and vegetable production, Dawey adapted her business to focus on producing quality seedlings for local farmers and plant enthusiasts producing hundreds of seedlings of papaya, eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, okra, and other lowland vegetables. With support from the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies, she has expanded her market reach by joining trade fairs and pop-up bazaars. Source

Sugar Crop Stocks Lower Than Expected: 23 Nov: The Philippines is projected to close the 2023-2024 sugar crop year with a lower stock than initially expected, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The country's sugar stock is estimated to be 1.322 million metric tons, down from the 1.358 million metric tons projected in May and lower than the previous year's 1.465 million metric tons. This decrease is attributed to flat sugar production, expected to reach 1.8 million metric tons this year, coupled with increasing demand. The Philippine Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has allocated all sugar production for domestic consumption, with exports estimated to remain at zero, and consumption for the year is estimated at 2.2 million metric tons. Source

Rice Importation Remains Steady: 2 Nov: Despite global supply challenges and the threat of El Niño, rice importation in the Philippines has remained steady, according to the Bureau of Customs (BOC). BOC Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla reported consistent volumes of rice imports, even with export bans in some countries and potential reduced volumes due to El Niño. The BOC has been actively monitoring rice storage and addressing issues of smuggling and hoarding. Additionally, rice import tariffs have generated significant revenue, exceeding the annual P10 billion target, which funds various agricultural programs and assistance for rice farmers. Source

Farmers Trained in Smart Rice Agriculture in Caraga Region: 18 Oct: A total of 1,629 farmers have recently graduated from the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program led by the Agricultural Training Institute in the Caraga Region. These trained farmers will be instrumental in spreading information on Smart Rice Agriculture (SRA) across the region. The 16-week SOA program, conducted over radio, covered topics such as climate-resilient rice varieties and coconut production. The initiative aims to equip farmers with the skills and knowledge to adapt to changing climate conditions. Source

Philippines Begins Avocado Exports to South Korea: 01 Oct: The Philippines has successfully shipped its first batch of "Hass" avocados to South Korea, with an estimated value of USD 48,433. This milestone comes after a historic agreement between the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) of the Philippines and the Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) of South Korea, which took effect on September 8, 2023. Source

Q3

Philippines Hybrid Rice Impresses: 28 Sep: A field study tour organized by the Asia-Pacific Seeds Association (APSA) concluded on September 23, 2023, leaving its members impressed with the Philippines' achievements in hybrid rice seed production. The tour also highlighted the effective collaboration among various stakeholders in the sector. Frisco Malabanan, a current APSA executive committee member and part of the government's Masagana Rice Industry Development Program, initiated the first such field study tour in the Philippines. Source

Audit reveals undistributed rice seeds and farm equipment: August 20: The Commission on Audit (COA) raised concerns over the Department of Agriculture's (DA) alleged failure to distribute 855,493 bags of rice seeds intended for farmers under the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF). The Philippine Rice Research Institute clarified that the COA's report timing led to discrepancies between fiscal year reports and cropping season data. Non-distribution of seeds and equipment deprived farmers of assistance, contradicting the objectives of Republic Act No. 11203 (Rice Tariffication Law). Out of 22,520 procured equipment, 2,088 remained undistributed. Additionally, 14,192 bags of rice seeds were damaged, 83,114 bags were donated, and 750,000 bags are inventoried for the next cropping season. Source.

Searca and East-West Seed partner to train ‘Agripreneurs’: August 17: The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) and East-West Seed Philippines (EWPH) have signed an agreement to educate young farmers in vegetable farming and agri-entrepreneurship. The project, titled "Yabong" (Young Agripreneurs Building Opportunities, Nurturing Growth Bootcamp), aims to inspire youth engagement in vegetable farming through showcasing success stories of young agri-entrepreneurs. The memorandum of agreement (MoA) was signed by Searca Director Glenn Gregorio and East-West Seed General Manager Jose Marie "Jay" Lopez at the East-West Seed Hortanova Research Center in Lipa City, Batangas. The bootcamp will employ a hybrid approach, combining online and hands-on sessions, to teach vegetable production and entrepreneurship by industry experts. Source.

East-West Seed Philippines honors veg farmers in August: August 10: East-West Seed (EWS) Philippines designates August as Vegetable Farmers' Month, celebrating smallholder vegetable farmers under the theme "Bida magsasaka" (farmer hero). General Manager Jay Lopez underscores the pivotal role of these farmers in ensuring food security and nutrition. EWS's nationwide celebration involves a caravan, offering farmers up to P1,000 worth of discount coupons for purchasing a variety of seeds. The company also showcases the inspiring stories of Filipino vegetable farmers through the #BidaMagsasaka social media campaign. Source.

Seed distribution for typhoon-damaged areas: August 10: The Department of Agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) is poised to provide replacement seeds for crops damaged by Super Typhoon Egay. Initial plans encompass corn, rice, and high-value crops. Aida Pagtan of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Service (RAFIS) highlighted that 3,266 bags of corn seeds are reserved for affected farmers in various regions. Flood and landslide damage necessitates farm revival before seed distribution. To address rehabilitation, efforts include restoring farm beds, barriers, and rocks. Hybrid rice and assorted vegetable seeds have been distributed to aid recovery. The regional office is accelerating damage assessment for a prompt rehabilitation plan. Cordillera incurred over PHP1.1 billion ($20.9 million) in agricultural damage, impacting nearly 44,000 farmers and fisherfolk. Source.

Super Typhoon "Egay" Leaves Death and Destruction Across 13 Regions in the Philippines: July 30: Super Typhoon "Egay" (international name: Doksuri) has exited the Philippines, but its impact is evident in at least 13 regions of the country. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that the typhoon caused significant damage, with estimated losses tot he tune of 833.9 million pesos s in agriculture and nearly 1.2 billion pesos in infrastructure. At the peak of the typhoon, 155 roads, bridges, schools, and government facilities were reported to have been damaged. The tragic loss of life stands at 14 fatalities, with six confirmed and eight still under validation. Additionally, 13 people were injured, and 20 individuals remain missing as of the latest update. Northern Luzon, especially Cagayan Valley, bore the brunt of the typhoon's devastating impact. Source. According to a Manila Times report, the typhoon wreaked most of its damage in he  Northern Luzon, particularly in the Cagayan Valley area. That report cited effects for 76,093 farmers and fisherfolk, in addition to 91,651.56 hectares of agricultural land. According to another July 27 report by the Philippines News Agency, citing the Department of Agriculture, most planting  damage “incurred at seedling, newly planted, and vegetative stages of rice” Assistance provided to farmers has been in the form of “rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds; drugs and biologics for livestock and poultr. 

Lawmaker Urges Climate, crop collaboration; with University Researchers: July 17: Rep. Wilbert Lee of the AGRI Party-list called on the government to strengthen its collaboration with researchers from the University of the Philippines (UP) to develop climate-resilient crops. With the threat of El Niño and projected extreme weather events, Lee emphasized the crucial role of state scientists in safeguarding farmers from the impact of prolonged droughts. Previous El Niño episodes in 2016 caused over P15.2 billion in damages across more than 500,000 hectares of farmland. To mitigate the impact of dry spells on farmers, Lee proposed tapping the expertise and resources of state educational institutions and science centers, such as UP, to advance agricultural genomics research. He highlighted a recent partnership between UP and the Korean government to establish the UPLB Agricultural Genomics Research Center, aiming to bolster science and technology adaptation in agriculture and promote bilateral ties between the two nations. The UPLB-AGRC project will span six years and contribute to developing drought and flood-resilient crop strains, securing food security amidst climatic uncertainties. Source.

President Marcos Orders Investigation into Smuggling and Price Fixing of Agricultural Products: July 5: President Marcos has directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate cases of smuggling, hoarding, and price fixing of agricultural commodities, particularly onions. Describing these acts as tantamount to economic sabotage, Marcos, who also serves as agriculture secretary, cited the findings from House hearings conducted by Rep. Stella Quimbo. Quimbo's investigations revealed evidence pointing to the existence of an onion cartel, primarily operating through the Philippine VIEVA Group of Companies Inc. The cartel is suspected of engaging in various activities, including farming, importation, local trading, warehousing, and logistics. Despite modest shortages in onion supply, sharp price increases reaching 87 percent last year raised suspicions of price-fixing through manipulation of stocks and control over cold storage facilities. The investigation aims to bring those responsible to justice, following the President's firm stance against economic sabotage. Source.

Q2

RCEP opposing forces point to lapsed conditionalities: May 27: A deadline for the Executive Branch to submit a comprehensive strategy and plan to meet the conditionalities of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement passed on May 21, with local media reporting limited progress made in fulfilling critical RCEP conditionalities, such as restoring private sector DA budget monitoring at the local levels and reestablishing the public-private anti-smuggling committee. The Senate of the Philippines ratified the RCEP agreement on February 21. Senators Miguel Zubiri and Loren Legarda outlined conditionalities for the agreement's effective implementation. The Senate stated that it may recommend withdrawal from the agreement if these conditionalities and objectives are not met.The conditionalities, proposed by the Agriculture Alliance and the International Trade Committee of the Philippine Council of Agriculture and Fisheries, are aimed at addressing issues related to corruption, waste, and smuggling in the agricultural sector. Source:

World Bank green lights $100mn ag project in Mindanao: May 27: The World Bank has approved the Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) in the southern Philippines, worth $100 million. The project aims to increase agricultural productivity, resilience, and services while protecting natural resources in selected ancestral domains in Mindanao. Approximately 120,000 farmers and fisherfolk in Mindanao are expected to benefit from the project. Despite Mindanao's significant contribution to the country's agricultural production, a considerable amount of agricultural land in ancestral domains remains unused or under subsistence cultivation by indigenous peoples. The project will address barriers to development in ancestral domains by funding infrastructure investments, including road rehabilitation, agricultural tramline systems, and small-scale and solar-powered irrigation systems. It will also provide potable water systems and post-harvest facilities. The project aims to improve the living conditions of the population in Mindanao, which is home to a significant portion of the country's poor. It will support the development of agriculture and fishery enterprises, integrating natural resource management and climate-smart agriculture practices while incorporating indigenous knowledge and practices to ensure sustainability and build climate resilience. The project will involve 26 ancestral domains, focusing on communities that are among the poorest and most vulnerable in the country. The Philippines' Department of Agriculture will manage and implement the project.

Urban hydroponics training: May 25: The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA RFO)-10 in the Philippines, led by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, organized a Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) Hydroponics Training in Cagayan de Oro City. The training aimed to promote urban agriculture practices and ensure food availability. Thirty persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory Training participated in the event, facilitated by the department's High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP). The participants were briefed on SNAP hydroponics, a sustainable vegetable production system that utilizes mineral nutrient solutions in water. The training highlighted the benefits of hydroponics in urban settings, including high-quality produce and low maintenance requirements. Senior Jail Officer 3 Aldous S. Ybañez expressed their intention to continue adopting the hydroponics system, emphasizing the benefits for the PDLs in terms of earning opportunities and future application upon their release. Source

Funding for traditional rice, indigenous vegetables and other crops: May 12: The Standing Committee on the Funding Strategy and Resource Mobilization of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has approved two projects in the Philippines. The first project titled "Supporting and Promoting Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Farming Communities in the Philippines through Participatory Approaches, Traditional Variety Reintroduction, Capacity Building, Market Innovation and Digital Communication." The project focuses on traditional rice varieties and indigenous vegetables. The project will be administered by the Institute of Crop Science. A funding request of $199,972 has been allocated for a period of 36 months.The second project  approved is titled "Philippines Engendering Access for Smallholder Farmers to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for Conservation and Sustainable Use." The project focuses on traditional rice, corn, sweet potato, potato, cocoyam, kayos (dioscorea hispida), banana, cassava, and vegetables (eggplant, squash, stringbean, winged bean). The Southeast Asia Regional Initiatives for Community Empowerment (SEARICE) will administer the project. A funding request of $250,000.00 has been allocated for a period of 24 months. Source

Department of Agriculture provides free potato seed tubers: March 22: The Department of Agriculture - Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO 2) has provided free potato seed tubers to farmers in Nueva Vizcaya to boost potato production in the province. The seed tubers, which are certified disease-free, were imported from Canada. The initiative aims to encourage farmers to plant potatoes using high-quality seed materials to improve the livelihoods of local farmers and enhance the region's potato industry. Source

Hybrid rice touted for increased production: February 22: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his support for the use of hybrid rice to increase crop production for local farmers. This was discussed during a meeting with farmers from Central Luzon and SL Agritech Corporation's CEO Henry Lim Bon Liong. Liong proposed to convert 1.9 million hectares of certified seeds to hybrid seeds in four years to increase farmers' income and promote rice sufficiency in the country. Marcos, who is also the Agriculture secretary, plans to encourage farmers to shift by providing subsidies and loans. However, an industry association spokesperson commented that the government should focus on developing certified and inbred seeds because farmers prefer inbred seeds due to their lower production cost compared to hybrid seeds. Source

Farmers urged to grow market-driven crops: March 16: Speaking at the Pampanga State Agricultural University in Magalang, Senator Imee Marcos urged farmers to grow crops that are in demand in the market in order to increase their income and improve their standard of living. She encouraged farmers to switch from low-priced vegetables including eggplant, okra, and squash to higher-priced vegetables namely cauliflower and bell pepper. Senator Marcos was pleased to see young farmers engaging in hydroponics and growing high-demand crops such as lettuce. The senator met with program beneficiaries of the Young Farmers Challenge and Enhanced KADIWA to assess their progress and address any concerns. The programs provide capital to farmers’ groups and youth who wish to engage in agriculture. Source

Q1

High-Quality Seeds Now More Accessible to Farmers in Bicol and Eastern Visayas: January 30: The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) has accredited four new seed grower cooperatives and associations as certified seed suppliers under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. The cooperatives underwent training on inbred rice seed production and organizational management. These SGC/As have committed to supply 498,000 bags of certified seeds, providing more than 200,000 farmers covering 229,000 hectares access to high-quality seeds, promoting high-quality rice production and improving competitiveness of Filipino rice farmers. The program is part of Republic Act 11203 or Rice Tariffication Law and receives P3 billion funding annually, witht the aim to develop, propagate and promote high-quality rice seeds to help improve the competitiveness of the Filipino rice farmers. Read original story here

Seed alliance benefits national food security: January 26: Reinforced by an alliance between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), the Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will develop the National Seed Industry Development Program to improve the country's farm production. The latest undertaking aims to provide “swift action and immediate relief for both farmers and consumers as the country grapples with converging prices . . . " Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban was quoted as saying. Panganiban noted that the alliance has benefited 1.6 million rice farmers, 692 corn growers and 100,000 individual farmers, while also helping granary research, and increased agricultural production and income of farmers. According to Manila Times, the seed program aims to “strengthen the NSIC five fundamental goals including the improvement of varieties that are suitable for low and high output; multiply and distribute sufficient supply of good quality seeds of high yielding varieties that are resistant to disease and pests; promote farmers acceptance on improved varieties of seeds; support the development of public and private sector through research and training; and provide special finance services to Filipino farmers and promote appropriate technology by providing training and technical support in seed production nationwide.” Source. 

2022 News

Q4 news

Philippines confirms release of properly-packed SPS compliant seeds: The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) on September 20 circulated a memorandum to confirm interim measures to allow certain seeds to be released for distribution without insecticide treatment were evaluated and deemed sufficient. 

Titled “Importation of Pre-Packed Seeds” the memo was signed by the BPI Officer in Charge, Dr. Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, the memo (BPI-QMS-KMT·Fl) and effective from September 15. 

The initial decision to allow seeds to be released was reached during a meeting on April 8 this year between BPI and seed industry stakeholders (see details below) to address concerns about strict pre- and post-entry seed treatment requirements that were in contradiction to international guidance and thus unnecessarily restricting seed movements.  

The latest memo reads:

“This is in view of the interim agreement during the April 8, 2022 meeting with the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) wherein imported seeds that are vacuum packed, in airtight containers, tin cans and canisters arriving with compliance to phytosanitary requirements except for the insecticide treatment shall be allowed for release without phytosanitary treatments upon entry while evaluation of the industry's submitted pest management measures implemented to imported pre-packed seeds is on-going. 

In this regard, please be informed that such evaluation has already been completed and measures provided are found sufficient to address phytosanitary concerns on pre-packed seeds. Thus, the following revision on the pre-shipment 

1. Seeds should be free from seedborne plant diseases, storage insect pests, and weed seeds.
2.  Seeds in bulk shall be treated with appropriate fungicide and insecticide at recommended rate. Such treatment must be stated in the accompanying Phytosanitary Certificate.
3. Seeds that are vacuum packed, In airtight containers, tin cans and canisters that are pre­treated with any pesticide are allowed, provided such treatment must be stated In the accompanying Phytosanitary Cerificate.
4. Seeds should be properly packed.
5. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) number should be stated in the accompanying Phytosanitary Certificate.

The above mentioned requirements shall be reflected in the Plant Quarantine Clearance (PQC) or Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) and imposed to strengthen the existing phytosanitary measures for the said commodities requirements shall be implemented and reflected in Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearances (SPSIC) to be issued by this Bureau for seed importations: This memorandum shall take effect immediately and shall cover pre-packed seed importation with previously approved SPSlCs.”

Attending the April meeting on behalf of the Philippines and international seed industry were representatives of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), as well as APSA and CropLife Asia. 

Following that meeting, the BPI engaged concerned NPPOs and seed companies, gathering information on pest management practices in the seed production area at the country of origin, packaging and storage of incoming shipments, as well as proposed equivalent treatments, which was a part of the evaluation that was finalized in September. 

Q3 news

P130 million farm damage assessment in Maguindanao floods: August 24: Heavy rain-induced flooding in the upland has destroyed 130-million-peso (US$2.3 million) worth of crops and farm products, displacing thousands of families of farmers in Maguindanao province, including in the towns of Datu Montawal, Pagalungan, Sultan Sa Barongis, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Datu Piang, Northern Kabuntalan, Mother Kabuntalan and General Salipada K. Pendatun. An assessment found that rice farms were most affected,.followed by corn farms and vegetable farms/ At least 1,472 farmers are affected  Source.

Study highlights gene-editing opportunity for root plasticity in rice: August 25: A collaborative study of selected rice germplasm in the Philippines, conducted by researchers from PhilRice, DA-Crop Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC), and UP Los Baños (UPLB), has identified genetic variations correlated to root plasticity, a trait vital for drought resistance. Root plasticity has implications for drought resilience. The study, titled “Genome-wide Association Mapping for the Identification of SNPs Controlling Lateral Root Plasticity in Selected Rice Germplasms of the Philippines,” was published in the Philippine Journal of Science. Source.

New subspecies of Begonia identified in the Philippines: August 23: Begonia bangsamoro subp. Bagasa is the newest subspecies of bangamoro, recently identified in ongoing taxonomic studies of the genus Begonia in the island of Mindanao, carried out by researchers from the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and their collaborators. Their results were published in Phytotaxa.Source.

RCEF certified seeds broadcast to farmers: August 3:  As an initiative of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) more than 10 million bags of certified seeds are bound for about one million farmers in 42 target provinces .The RCEF seeds are anticipated to be planted on up to 1.5 million hectares yearly, though as of July, 630,000 farmers in 731 cities and municipalities were distributed 1.57 million bags, which would coverage an estimated 720,000 hectares for planting during the 2022 wet cropping season. Source.

Golden rice at transplanting stage: August 2: Golden rice was reported to be at the transplanting stage for 40 hectares. Planted for this wet cropping season, the GM-crops are expected to be harvested in October, and yield 5 tons/ha. Source.

Hybrid rice firm says subsidies will be key: July 31: SL Agritech Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Henry Lim Bon Liong said in an online interview that subsidies for farmers will be critical in the first few years of the new administration, referring to the recent election of Bongbong Marcos.. SL Agritech is a leading hybrid rice seed company in the Philippines. Source.

PhilRice, BPI launch digital rice info hub launched: July 27: The  Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) have launched an information system that will speed up rice seed-related transactions and processes.The system covers “production planning, field data collection, documentation, and geotagging; monitoring, inventory, and distribution of seed reserve; seed source tracing; application and approval of accreditation and seed certifications; and report generation, among other modules and apps.” Source. 

Department of Agriculture to review subsidy priorities: July 21: In response to pressure from agriculture groups to prioritize food production subsidies over Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) projects to reduce the burden of rising costs impacting agricultural productivity, Department of Agriculture Undersecretary, Kristine Evangelista, announced that the agency will focus on increasing agricultural production and mobilizing agricultural commodities at consumer-friendly prices. The department also plans on boosting production of rice, corn, vegetables, fisheries, livestock, high value crops and other agricultural products. Source

Food sufficiency a top priority of new president / ag secretary: July 21:A priority of the administration of Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, who assumed presidency of the Philippines on June 30, is ensuring food security in the face of persisting supply chain challenges and food import dependency. According to data cited in a report, rice production alone in the first semester was projected to have decreased by 6.8 percent, linked to reduced fertilizer usage in the face of soaring prices. In the first half of 202, the Department of Agriculture kept domestic prices in check through ramping up imports of meat, fish and sugar, a policy which was subject to wide criticism, even though in 2021, DA policies enabled the country to achieve new record-high production of palay (unhusked rice) at 19.96 million metric tons (MT). Former Agriculture Secretary William Dar had warned the Philippines would feel the strain of the global food crisis the most in the last quarter of 2022. Source. Replacing Dar in this role is the president himself who announced he would act as Agriculture Secretary initially due to its great importance for the country. Source.

Food production strategies discussed: July 18: President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. and key officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) met on July 18, 2022 to discuss the Department of Agriculture’s operational plan for priority commodities and programs including rice, corn, livestock, fisheries, urban and peri-urban agriculture, and Kadiwa.. Source. During the meeting, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista prioritized increasing yields of rice and high-value crops while balancing it with the demand requirements of consumers, including bolstering support for livestock, eggs, and vegetables. Also present were former Agriculture Secretaries Domingo Panganiban and Leo Sebastian, as well as officials from the Department of Budget and Management since the budget for the agriculture sector, was also discussed. Source.

Flood crop damage update: July 16: The latest damage assessments from recent floods have tallied some 37.68 million pesos worth of agricultural losses, reports The Department of Agriculture (DA). Floods in Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, and a flood-induced mudslide in Ifugao “have collectively affected at least 1,559 Filipino farmers and destroyed 882 metric tons of crops in 1,770 hectares of agricultural land”. Of this, rice losses were valued at P25.4 million, and other high-value crop damage mounted to P10.11 million. Source.

Corn, rice productivity falls after Super Typhoon: June 26: At least 42,454 metric tons of crops were destroyed as a result of Super Typhoon Odette, which struck Cebu and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao on December 16, 2021. The latest assessment from this disaster was provided during a presentation on June 23 by Maria Teresa Alambra, secretary of the Development Administration Committee (DAC) of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7), who noted that following the typhoon, corn and rice production had dropped in the first quarter of 2022, by 31.9 and 28.1 %, respectively,. Source.

Tomato processing plant in Ilocos Norte to be revived: July 7: A budget of USD 1.8 million has been approved by the Department of Agriculture to revive a tomato paste processing plant in Ilocos Norte. Tomato is one of the high-value crops of Ilocos Norte with a ready market, including food chains, fish canners, and tomato sauce manufacturers in the country, making up 13% of the 30,000 metric tonnes consumed annually throughout the Philippines. However, after the closure of the plant, many tomato farmers have switched to producing other crops. The Ilocos Norte provincial government has been working alongside the Department of Agriculture to find investors to take over the tomato processing plant under new management. Source

Soaring sugar prices amid shortage: June 22: The Philippines is reeling from a shortage of sugar as prices continue to rise, which is now up 23% from the same time last year. The government had already been struggling to control food inflation when sugar production began to fall due to crop damage as a result of flooding and high fertilizer prices. Source

Q2 news

Potato supply crunch, reduced planting: May 25: The Department of Agriculture (DA) has confirmed that there is a global shortage of the type of potato or potato that are used to produce french fries. For this reasons some local restaurants and fast-food chains have limited or removed this item from menus. It was also noted that due to surging fuel and input prices, some farmers have stopped planting vegetables, which has also led to a supply crunch and increase in prices. The price of local potatoes at the Benguet Trading Post was quoted at P43/kilo and as much as P70/kilo in Metro Manila. Source.

Agriculture Secretary warns of looming food crisis: May 19: Agriculture Secretary William Dar warned of the impending food crisis exasperated by the persisting effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a press briefing, Dar assured that the Department of Agriculture has a plan in place to address the food crisis, though said more funds are needed to increase planting efforts, as well as for distribution of fertilizer, promoting urban agriculture, enhancing feed production, food mobilization and aquaculture extension. Noting that the the price of fertilizer has tripled, Dar said that everyone should be prepared for the crisis to persist through to the second half of the year. Source.

DA warns against selling its free rice seeds: May 18: The Cauayan City Agriculture Office has warned against the sale of rice seeds that were distributed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) in response to allegations that free rice seeds from the Department of Agriculture were being sold at a cheaper price than seeds sold by farm input suppliers. The City Agriculture Office is currently distributing rice hybrid seeds to farmers in Cauayan City for this year's wet season. Source.

Push for rice price stabilization bill: May 17: There is a push by some politicians for the passage of House Bill 477 which aims to stabilize farm gate prices of rice at P20-P25/kilo. Under the proposed bill, P495 billion wouldl be allocated over three years to "concrete" price stabilization and achieve food security. If enacted, HB 477 would also ensure procurement of rice from farmers at P20/kilo, and repeal the controversial Rice Liberalization Law (RA 11203). Source. In related news, a farmers group said that the proposed price point would not be possible unless subsidies were provided. Source.

PSIA and BPI reach interim solution for seed shipment treatment requirements: April 20: The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) and the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, Philippines (BPI) have reached an interim solution to allow certain seeds to be released for distribution without insecticide treatments. The solution was reached  following a meeting on April 8, which was held to address recently reported concerns about strict pre- and post-entry seed treatment requirements imposed. In addition to members of PSIA, reps from APSA and CropLife Asia joined the meeting as observers. In summary, the agreed  interim solution is that BPI, which is the Philippines’ NPPO, will permit seed shipments arriving in vacuum-sealed, air-tight containers, tin cans or canisters to be released without the insecticide treatment, granted they have already undergone “equivalent” pest management measures as prescribed by ISPM 38. Seeds arriving to the Philippines in bulk, cartons/boxes, ordinary non-air-tight plastics and sacks that have not been treated with insecticide will be subject to treatment upon arrival. Furthermore, the BPI is requesting for seed companies to submit information on pest management practices in the seed production area at the country of origin, as well as packaging and storage of their incoming shipments. Continuous communication will be conducted between BPI and concerned seed companies and the NPPOs of the country of origin, specifically regarding proposed equivalent treatments. In addition, BPI’s National Plant Quarantine Service Division clarified that there is no need to re-apply for import permits that have been issued already–”just follow these new steps in terms of description and advance notification of expected arrival” This is still an interim measure, and any formal amendment to the requirements will be contingent upon formal agreements made between and among NPPOs of concerned countries.

Pest List updates for corn, eggplant and watermelon: April: As reported previously, the Department of Agriculture updated its quarantine pest lists for seeds of several crops, in response to a request by CropLife Philippines for the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) – the Philppines NPPO –  to review the current list of quarantine pest of concern for corn, eggplant and watermelon seeds for sowing, to be based on the scientific evidence specifically addressing whether or not sowing seed is a pathway for transmission’ of concerned pests, and in accordance with the principles of ISPM38. After the review and findings of the Philippines’ DA-BPI  Pest Risk Analysis team, a total of the following 14 specific pests of corn, eggplant, and watermelon were removed from the pest category list. The pests removed from the list will not be reflected in the import condition of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Quarantine Clearance/Plant Quarantine clearance.

1.     Acanthosecelides obstectus (Say)

2.     Delia platura (Meigen)

3.     Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (1912)

4.     Fusarium sporotrichioides Sherb. (1915)

5.     Diaporthe phaseolorum var. caulivora Athow & Caldwel

6.     Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. (1947)

7.     Pyricularia setariae Y. Nisik.

8.     Strawberry latent ringspotvirus

9.     Anguina tritici (Steinbuch, 1799) Chitwood, 1935

10.  Aphelencoides fragariae Ritzema Bos, 1891) Christie, 1932

Eggplant

11.  Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk. & Ravenel) Thaxt., (1903)

12.  Colletotrichum capsici Syd.) E.J. Butler & Bisby, (1931)

13.  Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. (1947)

Watermelon

14.  Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. (1947)

Q1 news

Customs intercepts undeclared seeds in sports shoes: March 22: Customs officials seized flowers seeds, misdeclared as shoes. The seeds, which were reportedly smuggled from Indonesia, were confiscated by personnel of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Cebu-Subport of Mactan, as they did not accompany the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry. A total of 41 sachets of seeds, which weighed 1.5 kilograms, were discovered hidden in a pair of sports shoes, detected via an X-ray inspection. The deliberate misdeclaration of the flower seeds was noted to be a violation of Section 1113 (F), (I), and (L-3, 4,  and 5) in relation to Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act and BPI Quarantine Administrative Order No. 2, series of 2008. Source.

Philippines SPS update: BPI considers removal of 14 pests from list: March 2022: APSA has learned from CropLife Asia that the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry Pest Risk Analysis team has made consideration to remove 14 pests – 10 for corn, 3 for egg plant and one for watermelon. The pests and their respective categories are as follows:

More details to be confirmed.

Revised biotechnology regulations to speed up approvals: March 9: The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) has reported on revised biotechnology regulations, which “aim to improve the bureaucratic process and speed up the approval of biotech products that impact food security”. The ISAAA reported that the  amendments –  which were outlined in the Joint Department Circular No. 01 of 2021 by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) – were completed last year, “after careful review of the JDC of 2016 that replaced the DA Administrative Order No. 8. One of the major changes in the new JDC is the compliance to the Republic Act No. 11032 or the “Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018”. Thus, the revisions include simplified requirements and procedures and shortened processing time of applications. These amendments will reduce the red tape and expedite the approval process for products of modern biotechnology. Download a copy of the Circular from the BPI website. biotech.da.gov.ph/upload/JDC1_s2021.pdf  and read ISAAA article here: Philippine Government Updates Biotech Regulations to Speed Up Approvals- Crop Biotech Update (March 9, 2022) | ISAAA.org

Restrictive seed treatment policy in Philippines creates bottlenecks

Strict enforcement of both pre-shipment and post-entry seed requirements has led to delays in deliveries and shipments

APSA’s Standing Committee on International Trade and Quarantine was informed by its members and through the Philippine Seed Industry Association of bottlenecks, which stem from policies outlined in a memorandum circulated by the Philippines’ Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) since 10 May last year.

Titled “Importation of Orchids, Ornamental and Seed for propagation and resale purposes” the memo mandated for inbound seed lots to be “inspected by a Plant Quarantine Officer at the Port of Entry for verification of documents and for presence of quarantine pests . . .” as well as to be “subject to post entry monitoring and observation on the declared final destination.”  More information covered in Asian Seed Volume 27, Quarter 1 issue.

WFP assistance update following super Typhoon Rai: February 25: According to a report from the WFP, 50kg of rice per family has been distributed to 36,560 individuals in Dinagat and Siargao Islands this month, and preparations for cash-based transfers/vouchers in Caraga, Bohol, and Southern Leyte are ongoing. Shelter kits, solar lamps, tents, and hygiene kits have also been distributed across affected areas. Original story here

Typhoon Rai latest figures: February 11: According to government figures published seven weeks after making landfall in landfall in Siargao Island, northern Mindanao, Typhoon Rai affected a total of 10.8 million people across eleven regions, resulting in 405 deaths and thousands of injuries, and displacing nearly 3 million people. More than 133,000 people remain displaced with 77,000 people still in evacuation centers. A total of 1.9 million houses have been damaged, out of which 427,000 were destroyed. A National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report showed that 10 million hectares of crop area were destroyed, over 120,000 livestock and poultry lost, while the cost of damages to fisheries is estimated at over USD 39 million. Read original story here

ISAAA Director in farm to fork podcast: February: Marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Dr Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Executive Director, ISAAA was interviewed in the Farm to Fork podcast, in which she provided essential advice to young women exploring a career in science along with her views on the adoption of modern agriculture. Dr Rhodora also discussed how the different forms of agricultural technology can help to improve the lives of farmers and the food supply chain, particularly in Asia. Listen to podcast here.

Philippines to begin mass production of golden rice seeds: February 2: The Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar was quoted as saying that 2022 will see the “start of massive production of Golden Rice seeds” for the benefit of provinces deemed to be vitamin A-deficient. Dar said the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) will map out programs for the massive production of the seeds, while the “National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) has adopted a unified policy for the varietal registration of all genetically modified crops, which paves the way for a streamlined deployment timeline for Golden Rice,” See full article here.

Scaling up GM maize adoption: The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) in December 2021 published  “A Policy Paper on Scaling Up the Adoption of GM Maize in Emerging Economies: Economic and Policy Lessons from the Philippines”. The paper “... highlights the importance of GM maize in food security and livelihood with increased income for farmers specially for the developing countries. It discusses the challenges for large scale adoption of the GM maize and the much-needed policies, approaches, awareness campaigns and communication strategies to mitigate the challenges. It also strongly brings forth the need for bringing diverse stake holders, be it the policy makers or the academicians or researchers, to work in unison to harvest the fruits of biotechnological interventions. Download, read the full paper on APAARI’s website here. 

Q4 News

Super Typhoon Rai causes widespread crop damage: December 28: According to data from the Department of Agriculture, super typhoon Rai has wreaked nearly USD 117.5 million in damages affecting around 70,177 hectares and over 100,000 metric tons of food. Due to the early warning given to farmers, at least 38,000 metric tons were harvested before the typhoon hit. Assistance is being given to farmers affected by the typhoon at around USD 235 per farmer, together with a total of USD 6 million in rice seeds, USD 2.5 million in corn seeds, and USD 1.1 million in assorted vegetable seeds. Read full story here.

Promoting indigenous vegetables that are slowly disappearing: December 23: The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) have launched a project to document and promote indigenous vegetables such as Kamantulan (Senna tora (L.) Roxb.), known locally as balatong aso or munggo-munggohan, which is often thought of as a weed more than as food; Lasona gulay (Allium cepa L. cv Aggregatum), a type of bulb; Olasiman (Portulaca oleracea L.) Purslane, or olasiman another weedy vegetable that is used in some soups and stews; Tapilan (Vigna umbellata) also known as rice bean, is a legume that is a good source of protein. Read full story here.

Golden Rice passes taste test: Several government and PR ‘stakeholders’ participating in a “taste test” of golden rice — paddy engineered to contain Beta carontine -- all agreed that it tastes just like “ordinary white rice”, assuring the public that they now prefer to consume the orange-yellow colored grain for its its health benefits. The ceremonial tasting event was recently held in Muñoz, Nueva Ecijaas as part of the inauguration of the Department of Agriculture’s Crops Biotechnology Center (DA-CBC), and featured Agriculture Secretary William Dar, Representative Maricel Natividad Nagaño, of the 4th District of Nueva Ecija, who is an ophthalmologist by profession, and US Agricultural Attaché Ryan Bedford, Dr. Marissa Romero, co-lead of the Healthier Rice Project, who all echoed eachother in the effort to promote the product in order to address “high malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency. See coverage on PSIA website here.

Q3 News

Better yields of white and yellow maize in Guimaras: August 30: Corn production in the island province of Guimaras  during the first quarter of 2021 increased by 32.3% year on year. Data from the quarterly Corn Production Survey (CPS) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) revealed that a total of 131 metric tons (MT) was harvested in the first three months of 2021. This is compared to the 99 MT harvested in Q1 2020. The increase was credited to higher yields of both the white and yellow varieties of corn, which included 67 MT of the former, and 64 MT of the latter. Original story here. 

Ag growth target revised as palay production on track for doubling: Aug 11:  Target growth of the agricultural sector has been revised by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to be 2%, half a percentage point lower than the previously set target. Quoted during the virtual forum of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the adjustment was made due to affects from Covid-19 and African swine fever (ASF). According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Philippine agriculture contracted in the second quarter of 2021 by a tenth of a percentage point., signalling recovery.  Dar expressed his hope that the rice crop would double this year. Palay production during the first half of the year reached a record 8.8 million metric tons (MT), 4.9 % higher than the same period in 2020. The crops sub-sector represented 56% of total agriculture output for the second quarter (Q2) of the year, with palay and corn growing by 1.2% and 6.3%,, respectively. Original news here. 

Rice, corn and other cash crops suffer typhoon wrath: July 24: Based on data from July 24 from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Typhoon Fabian has caused no less than ₱12.38 million in damages, impacting the livelihoods of some 885 farmers in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas. Damage assessments confirmed  losses for 893 hectares of rice crop, including in Bataan and Zambales. Corn crops and swine were ost in Quezon Province, while loss of  so called high value crops (HVC) were reported in Cavite, Laguna and Bataan. To assist farmers, a total of 104,471 bags of rice seeds, 11,390 bags of corn seeds, and 1,949 kilograms of assorted vegetables were being prepared for distribution. News here. It is understood that the typhoon had affected farmers and residents from July 22-24, across the Ilocos Region,  Abra,  Benguet,  Zambales,  Bataan,  Occidental Mindoro and the  northern portion of Palawan (including Calamian Islands), before moving on towards Japan and China.

Golden Rice gets biosafety approval for commercial propagation: July 23: The Philippines became the first country in the world where biosafety approval has been given for the commercial production of “Golden Rice”, a genetically-engineered cultivar of rice biofortified with beta-carotene. The Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) issued a biosafety permit on July 21, stipulating that the transgenic Golden Rice event or GR2E, has “undergone satisfactory biosafety assessment pursuant to Department of Science and Technology, DA, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Department of Interior and Local Government Joint Department Circular No.1, Series of 2016”. DA-PhilRice executive director  Dr. John C. de Leon said in a news release that “apart from meeting the rigorous standards of biosafety regulation, Golden Rice development follows the standard process of rice breeding, which usually takes 10-12 years before a variety reaches the consumers.”

With this permit, De Leon said that Golden Rice can now be planted for commercial production as per the terms and conditions specified by the DA- Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), which will also be subject to varietal registration protocol through the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC). This biosafety approval represents the first such of authorization for commercial propagation of a genetically engineered rice in South and Southeast Asia, and, according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)  -- who partnered with DA-PhilRice on the R&D of GR2E -- has already received food safety approvals from regulators in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States of America. It is also undergoing final regulatory review in Bangladesh.  IRRI and DA-PhilRice developed the GR2E to contain additional levels of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. According to IRRI, about one in five children from the poorest communities in the Philippines suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which affects an estimated 190 million children worldwide. “We are committed to ensuring the highest quality of seed for farmers and a safe and nutritious food supply for all Filipinos,” said Dr. John de Leon, Executive Director of DA-PhilRice. “A comprehensive quality assurance and stewardship program for Golden Rice will be set in place, covering the entire value chain from seed production, to post-harvest processing, to marketing.”

Bt Eggplant approved for direct use as food, feed or processing: July 23: The Philippine Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) has approved Bt eggplant for direct use as food, feed, or for processing (FFP). The approval follows a rigorous biosafety assessment process, which concluded it was as safe as conventional eggplant. The biosafety permit has been sent to the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). According to an announcement by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Bt eggplant contains a natural protein from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which makes it resistant to eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB). The Philippines joins Bangladesh as the only two countries that have certified the safety of Bt eggplant for FFP purposes. Read full details from ISAAA here. Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo, study leader of the UPLB’s Bt eggplant project clarified that  commercial propagation approval is still required to complete the biosafety regulatory process, and thus made available to the public. “Ex-ante impact assessments of Bt eggplant adoption revealed that the commercialization of Bt eggplant will increase marketable yield by 192 percent and reduce pesticide application per hectare by 48 percent. When it is approved for commercial release, both the seeds of Bt eggplant open-pollinated and hybrid varieties will be made available to Filipino farmers,” she was quoted as saying in an article by the Philippines news agency.

Iowa State reinforces ag biotech, seed systems in PHI: July 21: Iowa State University’s Seed Science Center (ISU-SSC) will roll out a training program this year to develop seed systems and spur agricultural biotechnology applications in the Philippines.
Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA-FAS), the training program is aimed at enhancing the capacity of Filipino scientists, policymakers, senior technical officers, and middle-level managers of national seed and biotech authorities. Participants are expected to spearhead the incorporation of biotech and innovative breeding techniques into seed sector improvement initiatives, such as ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds to small-scale producers. The training program also will serve as a venue for the two countries to share ways by which plant and animal biotech can advance food security, and identify trade policies that ensure farmers’ access to biotech innovations and improved seeds.

    “Our training effort will provide more impetus for the Philippines to cement its status as a regional biotechnology leader, having been the first Asian country to allow the planting of a genetically engineered crop (Bt corn) in 2003. It is now moving forward on a regulatory framework for GE animals and other products of innovative biotechnologies,” said Manjit Misra, SSC Director. The Philippines demonstrated such regional leadership when it became the first in Asia to co-sponsor the International Statement on Agricultural Applications of Precision Biotechnology at the World Trade Organization in 2020. It is also the first country to approve the commercial production of genetically modified golden rice. This summer, the Philippines approved Bt eggplant for use as food, feed, and for processing. “We would like the country to maintain its momentum,” Misra added.

    Misra notes the urgent need for trained executives who will drive seed policy development and reforms in biotechnology research and development in Southeast Asia. “We also need scientists and researchers with a strong grasp of the role of biotechnology innovations in advancing seed production and trade. Prioritizing such a need recognizes that any effort to stave off food insecurity and malnutrition, two grand challenges of our time, begins with quality seeds,” Misra explained.  

    The Center will coordinate a pool of researchers and scientists at Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as well as external experts on the science and policy applied to plant and animal biotech innovations—from development to commercialization—and seed systems development. Efforts to formulate a curriculum for the training program began this Spring for the launching of the training’s online component in October 2021. The program’s in-person training aspect, to be conducted on the ISU campus in Ames, Iowa, is scheduled in 2022.  

    “Our trainees’ increased capacities to manage and conduct research and development initiatives, as well as drive and implement critical policy reforms, will consequently foster conditions that buttress food security in the Philippines and Southeast Asia,” said Lulu Rodriguez, SSC Global Programs Leader. “These include a vibrant seed sector able to produce quality seeds and make them available to small-scale farmers, biotech products to feed and nourish growing populations while sustaining the environment, and enhanced trade capacity.”

    “The SSC has an extensive history of global engagement and experience in this type of collaborative work,” Rodriguez said. “We have footprint in more than 80 countries over the past 20 years, helping to expand producers’ access to quality seed, facilitate seed trade, and promote the growth of national seed industries.”

PSIA members partae in launch of National Seed Technology Park: July 9: 

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) on Friday, July 9, kicked off the development of the Philippines’ first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP) at New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.

Attending the launch on behalf of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) were its President Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, and Executive Director Dr, Gabriel Romero, in addition to representatives from East-West Seed, Corteva,  Known-You, Ramgo, Harbest, Pilipinas Kaneko, KSHC, and DA-PhilRice.

During the launch, the PSIA company reps donated and distributed seeds, seedlings, other farm inputs, and knowledge products .

The event, which also marked the launch of the DA-led Seeds for the Future campaign, was highlighted by the planting of about 500 indigenous and endemic trees onsite to ensure that the biodiversity and sustainability principles of NCC are met. 3. 

Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the activity including the unveiling of the project billboard and the ceremonial distribution of seeds to Central Luzon farmers, who stand to benefit from the NTSP. Dar was joined at the launch by BCDA Senior Vice President Arrey Perez and Agriculture Undersecretary Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero.

“When I took over as the Secretary of Agriculture, we had to thoroughly examine how the Philippines can transform agriculture from a sleeping giant to something that will be considered as a big contributor to the economy. That’s when the vision for NSTP was born. BCDA is one important partner that is making us realize this agriculture industrialization.” said Dar. 

Click here for full story

Q2 News

DA to continue to support crop pest, disease management R&D: May 17: During the Philippines Los Baños’ National Crop Protection Center (UPLB-NCPC) 45th founding anniversary on May 17, Agriculture Secretary William Dar emphasized the importance of crop pests and diseases management, and commitment of the Department of Agriculture to continue to support research for development efforts to effectively control and manage transboundary crop pests and diseases that adversely impact Philippine agriculture. Original story here. 

Pres Duterte cuts tariff quota: May 16: Facing an uncertain domestic supply, mounting inflation, and rising global rice prices, President Duterte issued an executive order cutting the tariff of imported rice to maintain food security in the SE Asian country. The move by Duterte saw Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff rates reduced from 40% to 35% for in-quota purchases and 50% out-quota volume for 12 months. The Philippines is one of the world's biggest importers of rice and was expected to import 1.7 million tonnes in total this year, with 90% coming from Vietnam. Domestic rice output is targeted at 20.5 million tonnes in 2021, a projected increase from 19.3 million tonnes in 2020. The country is prone to tropical storms with more than 20 typhoons hitting the island nation each year, devastating crops such as rice and corn. Original story here

May 14: SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, May 14 (PIA) -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga has established a number of farming villages in Barangay Jubgan as model communities under the Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in Agriculture (AMIA) scheme, in hopes of inspiring other communities. Technological and institutional innovations are being introduced in the model villages, where various inputs, including vegetable and rice seeds, fertilizers and animal feed have also been distributed. See original news here. 

Realizing the full potential of Cagayan Valley: May 11: Various crops have been pitched as potential valuable sources of income for Cagayan Valley farmers and traders looking to tap into East Asian markets; so was the focus of discussions hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), in which the merits of Bananas, pineapples, mung beans, purple yam and citrus were considered by some 250 participants via Zoom and Facebook Live. Covered here, and here. 

Agricultural output up despite livestock drop thanks to increased crop production: May 10:  Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on May 10 shows that agricultural output decreased by 3.3% in Q1 of 2021, compared to a 1.7% decrease in Q1 2020. The lower production was largely due to the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has badly affected poultry and livestock in the nation. Livestock production, which accounts for 14.2% of the total agricultural output, contracted by 23.2%, with hogs decreasing by 25.8%, cattle by 10.2% and poultry by 7.4%. The PSA report showed that agricultural production decreased in all sub-sectors except crops and fisheries, which helped to increase the value of the nation's agricultural output by 8.2% YOY. Crop production grew by 3.3% and made up 58.8% of total agricultural output. Fisheries, which makes up 13.7% of agricultural output, recorded a growth of 0.6%. The Depart of Agriculture is targeting a production growth of 2.5% in 2021.  Original story here and here 

Syngenta drone chemicals approved for drone-powered pest control, surveillance: May 6: Syngenta’s Alika 247 ZC and Match 050 EC crop protection products have been given conditional registration green light from the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority. The Alika 247 ZC is an insecticide formula for paddy pests and Match 050 EC targets the fall armyworm. Both products have been developed for application by drone. Syngenta drones can also be used for crop monitoring, area mapping  and image capture of crops to “determine the plants’ status and health, which may not be readily apparent on the ground.” See news here.

Isabella inbred rice seed training: May 3: The Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI)  in Isabela Province is carrying out an intensive 12-training course for selected farm school facilitators and lecturers between April 26 and May 7. The training will focus on the PalayCheck System for transplanted irrigated lowland rice farming as well as farm mechanization. The course is part of the government's Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund - Rice Extension Service Program (RCEF-RESP). Course attendees will carry out agro-ecosystem analysis, seedbed preparation, minus-one element techniques, farm machines operation, and seed quality testing. Training will also be provided on social technologies such as extension delivery, communication and presentation skills, and training management. Original story here 

High yielding public rice hybrid: May 3: Running from September 2019 to March 2020 in the Province of Tarlac, the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF)-Seed Program has been declared a success by the Tarlac provincial government. The program has helped provide better access to certified seeds and increase yields for rice farmers in the province from 5.2 tons per hectare in 2019 to 5.48 tons per hectare in 2020. A total of 196,290 bags of certified inbred seeds were distributed over three seasons. Tarlac was also a testbed for the Binhi e-Padala initiative for digitally tracking seed distribution. Original story here 

High yielding public rice hybrid: May 2: Despite initial reluctance by farmers in Buenavista, Quezon Province, in adopting M20 hybrid rice, the variety has is now producing excellent results. Provided by the DA-Regional Field Office in 2018, the hybrid variety is producing yields as high as 8.3 tons per hectare compared to yields of 2.5-3 tons per hectare typically achieved in the area. M20 rice is gaining popularity among local farmers for producing a good yield, resistance to pests, diseases, and droughts, as well as having good grain quality. Farmers also prefer M20 rice due to its lower price compared to other hybrid rice varieties. However, since the seeds are imported from Mindanao, Buenavista Municipality has begun producing its own seeds of the hybrid rice variety. M2O rice is promoted by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute as part of its Hybrid Rice Program. Original story here 

Senator renews call for backyard gardens: April 29: Sen. Cynthia Villar renewed has once again appealed for locals to grow food in their backyards, community gardens and/or vacant land plots, which she has advocated as “a more sustainable and cost-effective way of providing daily supply of food or substance to community members”. The senator, who presided over the 2018 Asian Seed Congress in Manila, has advocated for the distribution vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers. See news here. The news follows a report on April 26, highlighting how the Senator gave praise to the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund (RCEF), which has helped rice farmers compete with the increased entry of cheaper rice imports related to the the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). See more details here. 

PSIA President, past APSA president knighted by Dutch government: April 26: The Philippine Seed Industry Association’s, Dr. Marry Ann Sayoc, has been knighted by the Dutch government in the Order of Orange-Nassa.   Her Excellency Saskia de Lang,  the ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Philippines bestowed the honor in recognition of Dr. Sayoc’s work in agriculture and dedication to promoting Dutch-Filipino relations, and for her efforts in transforming Philippine agriculture and boosting farmers' productivity. Thanks to her tireless efforts, the Philippines and the Netherlands have "developed strong ties in the agri-food sector in the areas of trade, investments, agricultural technology, and knowledge transfer." "It has pleased His Majesty King Willem Alexander to award a Knighthood on a leading personality of the Dutch Filipino community," a press release read. Dr. Mary Ann is a past president and currently active committee member of APSA.  More details here. 

DA lauds ABC, other companies for the Gulayan sa Syudad project success: April 14: The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, William Dar has commended Allied Botanical Corporation and other company members of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) for their efforts to showcase technology and promote urban agriculture. A new project,  Gulayan sa Syudad (Garden in the City) was launched on 12 March at the Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, with a ribbon ceremony presided over by Secretary Dar. The project, which is implemented under a tripartite agreement between the DA’s Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), PSIA, and National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), emphasizes the role of urban agriculture in alleviating poverty and addressing food supply insufficiency and promoting environment-friendly and innovative methods in farming. As the project also aims to underscore the significance of urban gardening amid a global pandemic, Dar said that the effort to produce food is as important as the fight against Covid-19. See article on PSIA website here.

Q1 News

New Plant Breeding Techniques Policy Resolution: Feb 10:  At a webinar held by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (NCBP), new breeding techniques (NBTs) were shared with scientists, regulatory agencies and other stakeholders.

During the webinar DOST Secretary and NCBP Chair Fortunato T. de la Peña, underscored the importance of Plant Breeding Innovations (PBIs) as key to improving the country’s agricultural sector through science and technology.

Also speaking at the event were Dr. Donald MacKenzie, Executive Director, Institute for International Crop Improvement (IICI) at Danforth Plant Science Center and Dr. Szabolcs Ruthner, Regulatory Affairs Manager of the International Seed Federation (ISF), who both highlighted the benefits of genome editing in agriculture.

Next to speak was Dr. Martin Lema, formerly Chair of the National Biosafety Commission, and Adjunct Professor, Quilmes National University in Argentina, who discussed regulatory systems in South America, and Dr. John McMurdy, Director for Emerging Markets and Development Partnerships, CropLife International (CLI), who spoke about the comparative policies on PBI/NBTs around the world.

Another topic of interest was the presentation on “Products being developed in the Philippines through the use of PBIs/NBTs delivered by Dr. Gabriel Romero, Executive Director of the Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA). He gave examples of studies/projects on gene editing conducted by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the Institute of Plant Breeding in UPLB (UPLB-IPB) and the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice).

Common themes among the speakers included the need for science and evidence-based regulatory frameworks, and that innovation in agricultural biotechnology and productivity should not compromise biosafety and biodiversity. See original story here.

PSIA in Manila edible garden launch: The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA), together with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry and National Parks Development Committee (NPDC) have developed an edible landscape at the Rizal Park, the biggest and most popular national park in the country. 

Underscoring the importance of enabling Filipinos, especially Metro Manila residents, to produce their own food during this pandemic period, Agriculture Secretary William Dar presided THE over opening of the Urban Garden at the Rizal Park, also known as Luneta Park, in Manila on March 12, 2021.

The DA-BPI, PSIA, and NPDC recognize the importance of promoting urban agriculture as a strategy to alleviate poverty, address the stability of food supply, foster social integration among communities, and protect the environment through eco-friendly and other alternative and innovative gardening methods.

Representing the PSIA were reps from Allied Botanical Corporation and Pilipinas Kaneko Seeds, which showcased various crops, including solanaceous, legumes, cucurbits, grasses and salad greens, while another member, Harbest Agribusiness Corp., constructed the drip-irrigation system in the garden.

In his message, Sec. Dar expressed his appreciation to the PSIA, NPDC and institutions that collaborate with the government in its efforts to bring Filipinos safe, nutritious and accessible food. 

Webinar discusses changes to organic law, climate change and GM seeds: The Philippine Seed Industry Association (PSIA) on February 18 organized the “Organic Law and Climate Change Webinar”. Held via Google Meet the full name of the webinar was “Policies on Organic Agriculture and Climate Change- Nationally Determined Contributions: Opportunities for the Private Sector” and featured as a speaker, Dr. Saturnina Halos, the president of the Biotechnology Coalition of the Philippines. The seminar follows the Philippines on 23 December 2020 amending Republic Act 11511, or Amendments to Organic Agriculture (OA) Act of 2010. One of the changes is the deletion of anti-GM/biotech language in the new law. The main takeaways from the webinar are as follows:

1. Accreditation of organic products is made simpler by the Revised Organic Agriculture Law through the Participatory Guarantee System. 

2. GM seeds may still be excluded from organic farms based on the Philippine National Standards of 2016. However, GM seeds will continue to be popular among farmers due to their realized benefits through the years.

3. Agriculture is both a cause and a victim of Climate Change. Carbon footprint of agriculture may be reduced by developing pest resistant and fast-growing climate resilient crops through plant breeding and biotechnology.

4. The Department of Agriculture has established the typhoon calendar throughout the country to help farmers avoid typhoons by adjusting planting schedules of rice so palay harvest will fall within months of no typhoon.

The webinar was organized by the Technology Development Committee chaired by PSIA Vice President Julius Barcelona of Harbest. It was attended by more than 25 participants including non-PSIA members. For more information about PSIA, see this page as well as their website here.

DA strengthens laboratory network for plant, animal disease capacity: January 2021:

The Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) is strengthening its laboratory network system to boost its capacity to detect and manage various infectious animal and plant diseases. Among the plant diseases in their radar is panama disease in banana, and fall armyworm  (FAW) in corn and onion. At the center of its strategy will be adopting an integrated 'OneDA' laboratory master plan that incorporates international bio-risk management standards and best practices on biosafety and biosecurity measures, regulations, and certifications. Read full story here.

Rice hybridization in Central Luzon: January 2021:
The Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office 3 in Pampanga will intensify the implementation of its rice hybridization program in Central Luzon this year. DA regional officials , together with representatives of different seed companies, held a meeting to discuss how best to successfully implement rice hybridization in the region. The focus will be on delivery and distribution of hybrid seeds to the local farmers, while seed companies were encouraged to conduct field demonstrations to showcase different rice varieties. Seed companies represented include Longping Tropical Rice Development Inc., SL Agritech Corporation, SeedWorks Philippines Inc., ALJAY Agro-Industrial Solutions Incorporated, Bayer Crop Science, Bioseed Research Philippines, Inc., Corteva Agriscience, and Syngenta. More details here. 

EU could surpass the Philippines in rice exports:
The European Union could out-import the Philippines’ as the top rice importer in the world. According to the USDA’s latest Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) report, “the Philippines is forecast to fall to the number two spot in 2021 as the largest global rice importer after the European Union” Read more coverage on this topic here, as well as here.