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Author: DA Communications Group | 8 June 2020<\/p>\n
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Agriculture Secretary William Dar acknowledged the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) for partnering with the government in increasing the productivity and income of farmers through the use of high-yielding disease-resistant resilient and sturdy crop varieties.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompetitiveness is the name of the game. We need more varieties that are more resilient, drought-resistant, and varieties that can properly and efficiently use the inputs. This is one challenge I would post the breeders to consider looking at every opportunity using crop improvement or newer tools of science to reduce cost but at the same time having to increase the yield per unit area,\u201d Secretary Dar said during \u201c45th Founding Anniversary of IPB\u201d on June 5, 2020 at the University of the Philippines Los Ba\u00f1os (UPLB), College, Laguna.<\/p>\n
IPB, created under Presidential Decree 729 in 1975, has developed more than 170 varieties approved by the National Seed Industry Council and the IPB Germplasm and Technology Registration and Release Office. These varieties of various crops\u2014from fruits, vegetables, and legumes to cereals and herbals\u2014have been planted by farmers and growers nationwide and used in the national program for increased crop production.<\/p>\n
With IPB\u2019s anniversary theme, \u201cIPB @45: Agham at Teknolohiya, Ani at Kita, Sagot sa Pandemya,\u201d Secretary Dar disclosed that harnessing the power of science and technology and many other strategies, the Philippine Agricultural Food Development Framework has just approved by the IATF.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vision has now broadened\u2014a food secure and resilient Philippines with prosperous farmers and fishers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to the secretary, the Philippine agriculture currently faces an immense challenge of feeding a growing population in the face of diminishing land and water resources, worsening impact of climate change, and rising costs of producing food. Rural incomes must also increase to enable farmers improve their standard of living.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we are turning these challenges into opportunities. This time around, while surviving we need to start planning for the rebooting of this sector,\u201d Secretary Dar said.<\/p>\n
He added that now is not the time to rest on past laurels. As such, he encouraged the management of IPB to expand strategic partnerships with sectors and groups such as agribusiness companies and local government units to bankroll R&D initiatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt kami naman sa Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka ay patuloy na aagapay sa inyo, sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng kaukulang pondo at iba pang tulong. Kabilang dyan ang mga nakaplano nating proyekto na magtayo ng Seed Technology Park,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n
The Department of Agriculture (DA) implemented the urban agriculture program so that the household can produce their own vegetables and fruit requirements during this pandemic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that the war against Covid-19 is not yet over. We are just in the middle of this war. We are investing P0.5 billion to support this urban agriculture-backyard gardening including that of backyard livestock and poultry raising,\u201d the DA chief explained.<\/p>\n
According to him, the DA will support initiatives on massive seed and seedling production of the varieties of crops that can be promoted in various provinces all over the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may have to do it in tandem with other universities or research institutions in the country. I am also mobilizing the research stations and outreach stations of the DA to do the same,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dar added that the Department is always open to receive ideas or proposals that will continue and intensify the Institute\u2019s breeding and crop improvement efforts.<\/p>\n