Central Visayas - One of the major goals of the Department of Agriculture is to have a continuous and reliable supply of high-quality inbred rice seeds for positive long-term impacts on seed security, farm productivity and these directly contribute to attaining rice sufficiency in the country. Seed growers play a vital role in attaining this goal for the distribution and production of high-quality inbred rice seeds.

Under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) program, 30 potential seed growers from Bohol and Negros Oriental attended the five-day Training Course on Inbred Rice Seed Production and Certification for Seed Growers on 26 – 30 July 2021. The RCEF program seeks to ensure food security and to make the country’s agriculture sector viable, efficient and globally competitive.

The training was conducted through a blended approach where 18 participants were gathered in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental while 12 participants joined the training virtually through Google Meet.

The training aims to enable and develop prospective farmers to become accredited seed growers. In the course of the five-days training, participants learned: status of implementation of Rice Program and buffer stocking in the region; the mechanics, policies and guidelines on seed testing and certification for rice; varietal selection and characteristics of the approved NSIC varieties; to differentiate the insect pest management, integrated nutrient management, and integrated cultural management for rice seed production; harvest and post-harvest technology for rice seed production; seed testing procedures and standards; and how to conduct field inspection and rouging, seed sampling, bagging and tagging.

The training was made possible through the coordination and collaboration with , Bureau of Plant Industry - National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS) Region 7 headed by Ms. Marcheta C. Brina, and with the support from the local government unit of Bayawan City, Negros Oriental through the City Agriculture Office headed by Engr. Kenneth S. Artes and DA-RFO 7.

Experts from Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC) Region 7, Bureau of Plant Industry - National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS) Region 7, Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) Region 7, Philippine Rice Reseach Institute (PhilRice Negros), Local Government Unit of Bayawan City, TOT graduates and from academe were tapped as resource persons during the training.

The training was facilitated by Jonathan O. Sumagang of ATI RTC 7, Charlou Ampit and Angelie B. Mencede. People who have shared their expertise include Jonathan O. Sumagang from ATI RTC 7; Josephine T. Cemini from Holy Name University in Bohol; Alvin D. Palanog from PhilRice; Edgar S. Tenefrancia from Bayawan City Agriculture’s Office; Marcheta C. Brina, and Christine D. Calamba from BPI-NSQCS; and Rico Rommel A. Varquez, Wilfreda C. Malayao, Felix N. Tubiano from DA RFO 7.

“As a seed grower, all I can say is that we have to continue our pursuit in producing quality seeds, for us to support this program from the government. This will be a big help to the farmers here in Negros Oriental. We can do this together; producing quality seeds," said Anita J. Mandalupe - one of the training participants.

Should there be any clarifications or inquiries around this training, you may contact Jonathan O. Sumagang, Project Officer, through his email at jsumagang16@gmail.com.