April 11, 2013

US Agriseeds to expand corn breeding facility in Philippines

 

Agrotechnology firm US Agriseeds intends to expand its operations in the Philippines by putting up a breeding facility for hybrid yellow corn seeds in Mindanao, through its local arm SeedWorks.

SeedWorks Philippines, Inc. is a new player in the hybrid agriculture commodity business in the country. SeedWorks Philippines currently markets mainly hybrid rice varieties in the Philippines.

Carlos Saplala, US Agriseeds general manager for Southeast Asia, said the prospective 5-10 hectares corn breeding facility in South Cotabato may be put up this year or next year. "South Cotabato is a good place to breed (hybrid corn seeds) because of high disease prevalence in the province," Saplala said.

Yellow corn is primarily used as a component of animal feeds.