February 14, 2013

Philippines may put up germplasm laboratories by 2015

In order to preserve and develop corn varieties in the country, the Philippine's Department of Agriculture may put up two germplasm laboratories by 2015.
 

"This project will make sure that all our corn varieties are preserved and maintained for breeding purposes," National Corn Programme (NCP) Coordinator Edilberto M. De Luna said in a telephone interview last February 5.

Two germplasm laboratories will be established: one in University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and one in Bukidnon, Mindanao. The laboratories will serve as a repository for the genetic materials of corn varieties which will be collected from across the country.

"Aside from conservation, this project will make sure that we have the materials to work with if we want to develop and improve existing corn varieties," De Luna explained.

The project has three stages: preparation or planning stage this year; construction of facilities and training of corn experts next year; as well as implementation of the collection and preservation process in 2015.

De Luna said the department plans to spend PHP10 million (US$246,000) this year for the preparation stage.

"We will start the construction of the facilities needed and training of the corn experts in 2014," De Luna said.

He said that Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala has formed a project technical committee, headed by Bureau of Plant Industry Director Clarito M. Barron and composed of representatives of UPLB and Central Mindanao University (CMU). "This technical committee will take care of the technical aspects of this project," De Luna said.

Each laboratory will be managed and operated by corn experts from UPLB and CMU. UPLB has already identified a facility which will be transformed into a germplasm laboratory, while CMU is still ascertaining if it has such a facility.

"By 2015, we want to start the collection and preservation process," De Luna said, adding that the project aims to collect varieties from other countries as well.

"We also want to develop climate change-resilient varieties, but this will come after the collection and preservation stage."