BPI Organic Agriculture Program

What is Organic Agriculture?

Organic Agriculture is defined by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) as a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and
people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic Agriculture combines
tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

What is the role of BPI?

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) plays a mandated role in seed development for the country. In the Republic Act No. 7308 or known as Seed Industry Development Act of 1992,
the DA-BPI shall have the direct responsibility for the production, distribution, regulation of breeder, foundation, and registered seeds including but not limited to the management of
the existing research stations and seed farms, seed testing laboratories, and certification services under the self-reliant management scheme. In 2010, R.A. No. 10068 otherwise
known as Organic Act of 2010 was enacted. The Law expanded the role of the BPI to ensure the supply of high quality organic seeds.

BPI and the Organic Seed System

To fulfill its role in developing the organic seed system, the BPI is implementing the program entitled Development of the National Organic Rice Seed Production Systems with
Informal Sector supported by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).
The project generally aims to establish national seed production systems by setting-up organic rice seed production areas in partnership with the private sector, broadening the
science-based knowledge on organic rice seed production technologies. Specifically, the project aims:
To establish partnership and provide initial support to identified organic stakeholders for participatory organic rice seed production;
To document the growth and yield performance of selected National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) approved rice varieties grown under participatory organic rice seed
production;
To produce certified organic rice seed from the identified organic collaborators for the distribution to organic stakeholders;
To generate, package and disseminate organic rice seed production technologies;
To upgrade the existing seed production facilities and equipment at BPI-Crop production Division to support and strengthen services of the organic seed stakeholders;
To formulate and develop guidelines on organic seed production certification for NSIC registration; and,
To conduct training on organic rice seed production.

Organic Rice Seed Production

Organic rice production is currently on-going in the following areas:
For Luzon
Kahariam Realty and Farms, Inc.
Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Inc.
Ramon Magsaysay Center for Agricultural Resource and Environmental Studies
For Visayas
Negros Island Initiatives for Rural Development (Formerly Negros Oriental Institute for Rural Development, Inc)
For Mindanao
Don Bosco Multi-purpose Cooperative (formerly known as Bios Dynamis)

Production Practices of Certified Organic Collaborators

Bureau of Plant Industry | 692 San Andres Street Malate, Manila

Tel. (02) 525-7857 or 525-7909| Fax.(02) 521-7650
Email: bpiorganicprojects@yahoo.com
Bureau of Plant Industry | All rights reserved 2013