19 FCAs take part in Plant Nursery Accreditation, Certification, PhilGAP in Baler

Around 19 Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs) took part in the training on Plant Nursery Accreditation, Plant Material Certification, and Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) in the town of Baler, Aurora on 22 September 2026.

The Regulatory Division of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office III (DA-RFO III) conducted the two-day training. Regulatory Division Chief Dr. Xandre D. Baccay and Assistant Division Chief Marilyn G. Velarde led the training, along with resource speakers from the Bureau of Plant Industry–National Seed Quality Control Services (BPI-NSQCS).

The training aims to broaden the knowledge and skills of the FCAs in proper establishment and organization of the plant nursery, production of quality planting materials, and following the standards of the PhilGAP.

During the first day, speakers discussed the rules and processes for the Plant Nursery Accreditation and Plant Material Certification.

BPI-NSQCS Senior Agriculturist and Plant Material Certification Section Head Aurora L. De Guzman discussed the Department Circular No. 1, Series of 2020 or the Guidelines for Plant Nursery Accreditation.

She also discussed the Department Circular No. 2, Series of 2020 or the Guidelines on Plant Material Certification, including the important standards and processes of the certification of planting materials.

Regulatory Division Agriculturist II Roel R. Rubion shared the important information regarding Plant Nursery Establishment and Management. The discussion focused on proper planning, establishment, organization, and maintenance of plant nurseries to ensure the proper production of quality planting materials.

The training also focused on the Introduction to PhilGAP, wherein Rubion discussed the four main purposes: food safety; product quality; environmental protection; and safety and welfare of the workers.

A field visitation and practicum by an accredited plant nursery was conducted in Aurora during the second day. Thru actual demonstration, participants were given a chance to learn and conduct some of the processes in the propagation of fruit trees, including grafting.

An actual discussion was held regarding proper distance in farming, choosing the proper varieties, and the use of quality planting materials-some of the important considerations for the planned establishment and registration of their nurseries.