NATIONAL SEED TECHNOLOGY PARK. The country’s first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP) will soon be established at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) kicked off on Friday (July 9, 2021) the establishment of the NSTP to introduce innovative agricultural technology to farmers, and to provide them with access to quality seeds. (Contributed Photo)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The country’s first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP) will soon be established at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to modernize and industrialize the agriculture industry.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) kicked off on Friday the establishment of the NSTP which aims to introduce innovative agricultural technology to farmers and provide them with access to quality seeds.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the activity, including the planting of indigenous and endemic trees, the unveiling of the project billboard, and the distribution of seeds to the farmers in Central Luzon, who stand to benefit from the NTSP.
“When I took over as the Secretary of Agriculture, we had to thoroughly examine how the Philippines can transform agriculture from a sleeping giant to something that will be considered as a big contributor to the economy. That’s when the vision for NSTP was born. BCDA is one important partner that is making us realize this agriculture industrialization,” the Secretary said in a live-streamed event.
“Today, we plant the seeds for the future, so Filipinos may finally realize the vision of making the country agriculturally sustainable and resilient. The establishment of NSTP is important more than ever, with agriculture being a major driver for the Philippine economy’s recovery from the pandemic,” said BCDA Senior Vice President Arrey Perez, who spoke on behalf of BCDA president and CEO Vince Dizon.
DA regional executive director Crispulo Bautista said the project is a catalyst to improve the country’s agricultural sector.
“Sisikapin natin na ang binhing ibibigay sa ating mga magsasaka ay good quality para maasahan natin na magkaroon ng malaking ani at mataas na kita. So, I am enjoining all to support this project para maging matagumpay and at the end, para magkaroon nang pakinabang ang ating mga magsasaka (We will try that the seeds to be given to the farmers are of good quality so that we can expect a huge harvest and increase income. So, I am enjoining all to support this project in order to succeed and at the end, for our farmers to gain benefit)" he said.
First to rise on the 50-hectare Agro-Industrial Business Corridor at the New Clark City, the seed technopark will serve as a home for a seed laboratory, incubation hubs, machinery shed, soil, and water chemistry laboratory, and other support facilities. (PNA)
