Philippines Department of Agriculture launches an information system that will hasten rice seed-related transactions and processes

With the importance of high-quality seed and its accessibility in achieving rice sufficiency, Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) recently launched an information system that will hasten rice seed-related transactions and processes.

The system, developed by Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), include production planning, field data collection, documentation, and geotagging; monitoring, inventory, and distribution of seed reserve; seed source tracing; application and approval of accreditation and seed certifications; and report generation, among other modules and apps.

In this launching, PhilRice also received its certificate of accreditation as government inbred seed producer from the National Seed Quality Control Services. The renewal of this certificate was conducted online through the system modules and apps.

Dennis Franco M. Layug, director of DA’s Information and Communication Technology Service, congratulated the implementers as the apps, he said, will improve operations and enhance work efficiencies.

Meanwhile, Anthony B. Obligado, an official from the Bureau of Agricultural Research – the agency that funds the project, said that the system does not only guide the seed growers, but also policymakers and implementers in crafting policies, planning, and implementation.

The system is expected to be fully deployed nationwide in 2023.