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Plant Genetic Resources Center established in Calabarzon

by Saul Pa-a  July 27, 2019 CALABARZON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES CENTER. (Photo courtesy of DA4A) LIPA CITY, Batangas – A cutting-edge...

by Saul Pa-a
 July 27, 2019

CALABARZON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES CENTER. (Photo courtesy of DA4A)


LIPA CITY, Batangas – A cutting-edge Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) Center in Calabarzon is now operational, ensuring high quality seeds and planting materials are kept in a secure facility that is conducive to long-term storage, at the Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural Research Center (STIARC) compound in this city.

Department of Agriculture (DA)-Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Arnel V. de Mesa and Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Assistant Director Digna L. Sandoval, along with DA regional officials inaugurated the facility last July 19.

The PGR Center houses various high-grade seeds and other sensitive farm inputs.

“This new facility will also protect the high-quality seeds and planting materials from external factors and deterioration,” de Mesa said.

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Funded at the cost of PHP 3million through the DA-BAR, the establishment of the PGR Center in the region is crucial to prolong the germplasm viability and quality of agricultural crops, ensuring that superior seeds are preserved.

“This state-of-the-art research facility in Southern Luzon is the second to be established in the country and promotes exploration, collection, conservation, and utilization of the genetic diversity of agricultural crops in the region,” de Mesa said.

The new agricultural genetic resources hub stores high quality seeds and planting materials like rice, vegetables, legumes, and corn, among others which could be used in the agriculture department’s research and experiment stations (RESes).

The center's materials and farm inputs could also benefit farmers, plant breeders, and other researchers.

The DA regional officials said the facility is equipped with a modular cold storage room for seed viability, oven and dehumidifier for desiccation, and upright freezer for preservation of seeds of up to 20 years.

They also expressed optimism that the new facility is seen to benefit not only the current agricultural undertakings but also for future research and development activities. (PNA)

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