The Department of Agriculture (DA) is setting aside P200-million to bankroll the establishment of a National Seed Technology Park make high quality and certified seeds more accessible to farmers.

During his keynote speech at the 2019 National Seed Summit on Monday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said this new initiative is projected to help increase the country’s agricultural production.

“We have been doing research all these years. However, if we compare our total factor productivity with other ASEAN countries, we are there in the middle,” Dar said.

According to him, the National Seed Technology Park will gather the key players in the seed industry in a location that should have at least 50 hectares.

“We will invite all the key players in the seed industry, be it private, multinational, or local. This will be in one area, maybe national center in Luzon with branches in Visayas and Mindanao,” Dar said.

“They can set up not only research there, but even facilities for drying, processing, and packaging. Complete value chain, that’s the whole idea,” he added.

The project will be supported by the Bureau of Plant Industry, National Seed Industry Council, and the Philippine Seed Industry Association Inc.

Inspired by the Andhra Pradesh State Mega Seed Park in India, Dar considers the seed technology park to be a business proposition or an inclusive agribusiness opportunity that is not limited to research or educational purposes only.

With ongoing talks with potential partners, Dar said the project will kickstart next year.