The Department of Agriculture (DA) Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) celebrates its 91st anniversary this year with the theme, “BPI-Los Baños: Siyamnapu’t Isang Taong Nagbabahagi ng Kaalaman at Teknolohiya Tungo sa Paglago at Pag-unlad ng Paghahalaman.”
During the celebration on November 23, 2022, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban commended the Center for its achievements and service to the Filipino farmers and consumers in the last nine decades.
“It has stood firm in its commitment to generate and promote relevant technologies for lowland vegetables, produce quality seeds and plant materials, and transfer generated technologies to improve farmers’ productivity and achieve national food security,” he said.
Through the years, the Center implemented various crop improvement programs on solanaceous vegetable and field legumes that developed numerous varieties that are adaptable to different regions for sustainable vegetable production.
The BPI-LBNCRDPSC also continuously demonstrates its vital functions through the revitalization of plant genetic resources, crop protection, culture and management, and various technology transfer and promotions.
Through a video message, Senate Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Cynthia Villar also recognized the BPI-LBNCRDPSC’s important role for the agriculture sector.
“I’m confident that this location is celebrated to inspire you of the importance of your job in government and to look forward to take the challenges of the future and the opportunity it may bring,” she said.
Senator Villar also expressed her hope for the Center to continue to lead in generating and promoting relevant technologies through varietal improvement, control and management of pest and diseases, and the production of high-quality seeds and planting materials.
“We in government can help move our communities forward to attain food security, competitiveness, and better lives in agricultural crops production by supporting them attain it if our hearts are in the right place,” the Senator added.
On the other hand, Undersecretary Panganiban reminded the BPI-LBNCRDPSC of the DA’s task to help the farmers become more competitive and for them to thrive and succeed on a global platform.
“As we celebrate BPI-Los Baños at 91, we are also taking on the challenge of self-sustainability and food security in agriculture. One that I am confident the BPI-Los Baños will take on with the same amount of hard work and dedication it has displayed for the last 91 years,” he said. ### (Gumamela Celes Bejarin, DA-AFID)
