Villar cites innovations in seed technology

Sen. Cynthia Villar was keynote speaker and guest of honor during a field day showcasing the latest in seed technology and cultivation techniques, which was attended by 80 foreign delegates from 49 countries.

Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture and Food, commended East-West Seed for its work to help small-hold vegetable farmers grow better crops and higher yield.

With the theme “Better Seeds for a Better World,” the field day took place at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite. It is a post-Congress tour of the 25th Asian Seed Congress held last November 12-16.

The activity attracted farmers and agricultural stakeholders as well as delegates from the seed industry in the Asia-Pacific Region.

“We are very happy that we have partners in the private sector that also make it their life’s mission to help small farmers increase their incomes.

With the legislation we are pushing in the Senate, we are not only training farmers plant quality crops, we also want them to become seed growers engaged in seed production and trade,” Villar said.

Among the new products showcased in the activity are tropical lowland heat-tolerant tomato, new highly pungent pepper with good aroma, new tropical butternut pumpkin, and waxy-sweet corn.

East-West Seed is one of the largest vegetable seed companies in the world. It has been a partner of the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (Villar SIPAG), in providing free trainings on modern farming techniques to farmers.

Under the rice tariffication bill passed on Third Reading by the Senate last Wednesday, among the programs which will be funded by the P10-billion Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund, is the development, propagation and promotion of inbred rice seeds. This will be implemented by the Philippine Rice Institute.