Philippines : the development of the rice and corn seed industry

The strategy recommended is particularly relevant to the rice and corn seed industry. It consists of active interaction between private entrepreneurs and representatives of the related official institutions at all levels of decisionmaking in policies and actions related to parental seed allocations, production, processing, marketing, and quality control. The legal framework and organization of government services recommended are oriented toward a private sector leadership, which would assume principal responsibility for the production and marketing of rice and corn seeds. The formation of a strong National Seed Industry Association to serve as an umbrella for the specialized seed production and import sectors and to render the required services and representations in the legal, technical, training, and communications areas is recommended to assume the leadership role. A six-member follow-up task force with equal representation from the public and the private sectors is recommended to consider and implement the proposed strategy. (Author abstract)