A region wide training on Nursery Establishment, Management and Accreditation was conducted on 18 – 19 November 2021 in Ubay, Bohol. Twenty-one (21) private and local government representative plant nursery operators from Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor were able to complete the two-day training. The training was conducted through a blended approach where participants from each province were gathered in one venue. Establishment of accredited nurseries is essential for quality seed sources and planting materials of known genetic identity.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) through the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS) is mandated to implement a Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification Program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) which are in line with DA’s thrust for the production and distribution of quality planting materials from accredited plant nurseries.

The training, which was implemented through the coordination and collaboration between ATI RTC 7, BPI- NSQCS and DA- RFO 7, aims to capacitate the nursery operators in plant nursery establishment, management and accreditation. In the course of the two-day training, participants learned the importance and process of plant nursery accreditation and plant material certification for quality planting materials; the protocols of accreditation of a nursery establishment; and the requirements of a plant nursery. Participants were also able to demonstrate the different plant propagation techniques such as grafting, budding and marcotting during the demonstration activity at Bohol Experimental Station (BES) nursery in Ubay, Mandaue Experimental Station (MES) nursery, in Cebu and municipal nursery in Valencia, Negros Oriental.

Marcheta C. Brina and Christine Calamba of BPI-NSQCS in Ubay, Bohol and Rosarita Crencia from BES of DA RFO 7 shared their expertise on the topics discussed as resource persons. Arnel S. Navarro, Mary Daphny Tumala, Maryjane Flor Patulilic-Bonilla, and Ryan Joshua Villena of ATI RTC 7 supported the training from different provinces and served as members of the training management team.

“I learned that there are laws which regulate nursery establishment. There is a need to obey these laws and regulations so that you will be accredited in establishing a nursery,” said Richard Godinez of Cebu – one of the training participants.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Joemelyn A. Sumagang, Project Officer, through her email at prettieblack8910@gmail.com.