Rice farmers across SOCCSKSARGEN are set to reap the benefits of a more reliable local source of high-grade planting materials after the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office XII’s (DA-RFO XII) Tupi Research and Experiment Station (RES) officially earned national accreditation as an Inbred Rice Seed Producer.
Conferred by the DA – Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) through the National Seed Quality Control Services (NSQCS), the accreditation certifies that Tupi RES strictly adheres to national quality standards. For Mr. Ronnie M. Muyco, Agricultural Center Chief III of Tupi TRES, this recognition is the culmination of years spent refining and elevating the station’s seed production systems.
“This is a major milestone for our station,” Muyco shared. “It means we can now give rice farmers the firm assurance that the seeds we hand them are reliable, dependable, and built for performance.”
Real Impact for the Field
For local farming communities, the milestone translates directly to food security and higher incomes. With official authorization to produce certified inbred seeds, Tupi RES gives Region XII farmers easier access to locally grown, government-backed planting materials boasting superior germination rates, varietal purity, and stronger yield potential than uncertified alternatives.
Beyond seed production, Tupi RES is transforming into an experiential learning hub. The station plans to establish demonstration farms and learning sites where growers can see modern agricultural technologies in action.
“We aren’t just handing out seeds; we want to show farmers how to nurture them,” explained Muyco. “By demonstrating recommended crop management techniques firsthand, we empower them to boost their yields and optimize their harvests.”
Institutional Support
Reaching national accreditation standards required overcoming significant operational hurdles, including limited machinery, constrained warehouse space, and irrigation challenges. Muyco emphasized that the achievement would not have been possible without steadfast institutional backing.
He extended special appreciation to DA-RFO XII Regional Executive Director John B. Pascual for his proactive leadership, relentless motivation, and constant resource support throughout the rigorous accreditation process.
“We owe a deep debt of gratitude to Director John Pascual,” Muyco noted. “His leadership pushed us to raise our standards, and his unwavering support gave our team the drive and resources needed to overcome every obstacle along the way.”
Strengthening Regional Resilience
The national accreditation unlocks access to breeder seeds from the Philippine Rice Research Institute – the critical foundation for certified seed production. This strategic positioning allows Tupi RES to bolster the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund Seed Program and build a resilient seed reserve for the region, especially during natural disasters and agricultural crises.
“Having our own secure source of quality seeds in Region XII allows us to respond rapidly during emergencies,” Muyco added. “Ultimately, it lays the groundwork for establishing a dedicated regional seed bank.”
Behind the administrative achievement lies months of hard labor, technical upgrades, and sacrifices made by the station’s workforce. Personnel logged long hours refining seed storage, undergoing specialized technical training, and safeguarding trial plots by hand.
“There were countless weekends when our team was still out in the field, guarding the crops against birds just to protect the harvest,” Muyco recalled. “It wasn’t easy, but every bit of sweat was worth it because we knew who we were doing it for: our farmers.”
As Tupi RES steps into its expanded role, the goal remains rooted in service of providing certified seeds and practical knowledge so every farmer in SOCCSKSARGEN can grow with confidence.
“At the end of the day, we want our farmers to feel that they have a government research station they can truly rely on,” Muyco concluded. “When they get their seeds from us, they should know it’s top quality – designed to increase their yields, raise their incomes, and secure their livelihoods.” (LSLapiña)
The DA-Tupi Research and Experiment Station has officially earned its Certificate of Accreditation as an Inbred Rice Seed Producer from the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry – National Seed Quality Control Services.
Valid through July 2029, this milestone reaffirms the agency’s dedication to providing top-quality rice seeds for SOCCSKSARGEN farmers.