Capas, Tarlac—A 50-hectare lot on the New Clark City here will be developed into an agro business corridor by the Department of Agriculture and the Bases Conversion Development Authority following the launching of the National Seed Techo Park Friday.
The project will depend on the success of the seed techno park that will serve as a home to laboratory, incubation hubs, a machinery shed, soil and water chemistry and other support facilities, said Mayor Rey Catacutan.
He said the BCDA would develop the second phase of NSTP covering 43 hectares dedicated to agribusiness developments, including downstream and upstream linkages in the agricultural value chains.
Part of the event was the planting of about 500 indigenous and endemic trees onsite to ensure the biodiversity and sustainability principles of NCC are met.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the activity, including the unveiling of the project billboard and the ceremonial distribution of seeds to Central Luzon farmers who stand to benefit from the NSTP.
“When I took over as the Secretary of Agriculture, we had to thoroughly examine how the Philippines can transform agriculture from a sleeping giant to something that will be considered as a big contributor to the economy. That’s when the vision for NSTP was born. BCDA is one important partner that is making us realize this agricultural industrialization,” said Dar.
BCDA President and chief executive Vince Dizon said agriculture sustainability is high on New Clark City’s priority list to help the economy “bounce back better” in the time of crisis.
“Today, we plant the seeds for the future, so Filipinos may finally realize the vision of making the country agriculturally sustainable and resilient. The establishment of NSTP is important more than ever, with agriculture being a major driver for the Philippine economy’s recovery from the pandemic,” Dizon said.
The DA and BCDA in December last year signed a memorandum of agreement on the so-called New Clark City Agro-Industrial Business Corridor and NSTP, which are envisioned to lay the foundation for the future of Philippine agriculture.
The NSTP will be at the core of the Philippines’ modern crop industry, taking the country one step toward industrialization and modernization of the agriculture sector.
The seeds for cuture campaign, anchored on the concept of “creating an industry for every commodity,” kicks off the development of NSTP.
The campaign aims to encourage strong partnerships among public and private organizations and the local communities that will lead to the production, promotion, and availability of quality seed stock both for farming and commercial plantation.
It also seeks to bring in multi-stakeholder partnerships through capacity-building, access to modern laboratory services, and connectivity in the seed value chain for local and export markets.
