Philippines, January 2024–Most recently, an initiative established by the Philippine and Dutch governments known as the National Seed Technology Park Project’s Knowledge Transfer Unit, organized a 3-day workshop to update and strengthen the technical capabilities of seed and plant quarantine inspectors through ‘Training of Trainers’ sessions. This was organised in collaboration with the Bureau of Plant Industry which falls under the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the non-profit Philippine Seed Industry Association, Dutch Inspection Service for Horticulture Naktuinbouw, and East-West Seed Philippines. The event took place January 9-12, 2024 at the facilities of East-West Seed Philippines in San Rafael, Bulacan.
Recognizing the vital role of quality plant propagating materials in agriculture, the course emphasized the importance of well-trained inspectors with a comprehensive understanding of the Seed Act, rules, and relevant notifications in their region or country. The training focused on technical aspects such as knowledge of agricultural and horticultural crop species and varieties, field familiarity, and field and seed standards.
The course also covered important principles and procedures in seed processing such as bagging, sampling, submission and handling of samples, sample preparation, sampling, division and submission of samples, knowledge of seed testing laboratory procedures and reporting of results of the laboratory analysis.
Six inspectors from the Plant Quarantine Service Division, six inspectors from the National Seed Quality Control Service Division, and two seed quality inspectors from EWS-PH attended the training.
Facilitated by Peter van Enckevort and Leon van der Heijden from Naktuinbouw, supported by five BPI trainers and by Irene Sion, EWS-PH Head of Seed Operations, the training held lectures, session activities/exercises, and field practicum. In attendance during the closing program was Ruel Geismundo, Bureau Plant Initiative BPI Assistant Director for Regulations, and Dr. Mary Ann Sayoc, Philippine Seed Industry Association President and East-West Seed Group Head for Partnerships and Alliances, highlighting the significance of public-private partnerships and the collaboration between government and the private seed sector.
