WVSU puts up Seeds Center
The West Visayas State University (WVSU) is set to operationalize its Seeds Center based in WVSU-Calinog campus to boost the poverty alleviation and food security programs of the Arroyo administration.
WVSU President Dr. Pablo Subong said the Seeds Center was established during his term as Campus Administrator of the WVSU-Calinog, with financial support from Congressman Arthur Defensor.
Subong said they have recently forged partnership with PhilRice, IRRI and the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office which will maximize the center's operation for Hybrid Rice and Corn production.
When operationalized, Subong said, the 10 hectare-area to be used for certified seeds, will benefit about 2,000 farmers in the third district and more or less 3,000 farmers in the fifth district of Iloilo province.
He also said that the WVSU partners will train personnel, faculty and potential farmers aimed at improving and disseminating technology for higher production.
"With hybrid certified seeds, farmers can produce about 180 cavans per hectare while only 60 cavans per hectare for non-certified seeds," Subong said.
Along with the Seeds Center is the construction of a Feedmill Processing Center where farmers working in it can augment their income, with corn as raw product.
Subong said further that they have already submitted to President Arroyo a proposal for action regarding Promotion of Economic Development and Poverty Alleviation, which is a commitment of state universities.
He said he considered the Department of Agriculture (DA)-SUC collaboration, with other partners and the local government units, as key to addressing effectively the current rice situation and in encouraging more sectoral involvement in agricultural progress.
Subong said his bias for agricultural productivity is a product of long years of study and extension work.(PIA 6/ESS)