From left: BPI Assistant Director for Regulatory Services Ruel Gesmundo, PSIA President Mary Ann Sayoc, PSIA Executive Director Gabriel Romero, and BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban
Sharing the common objective to promote crop diversification through vegetable production across the country, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Philippine Seed Industry Association, Inc. (PSIA) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that covers the project entitled “Tagumpay sa Gulay: Nationwide Vegetable Derby and Techno-Demo Showcase at BPI Centers,” on Dec. 11, 2023, at BPI Director’s Office Conference Room. Representing PSIA were President Mary Ann Sayoc and Executive Director Gabriel Romero while representing BPI were Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban and Assistant Director for Regulatory Services Ruel Gesmundo. Panganiban highlighted the importance of the project in achieving the current administration’s campaign to fight food insecurity. Sayoc agreed and underscored the importance of the whole-of-society approach. She also highlighted that the engagement of PSIA with BPI has always been smooth sailing since both parties share common goals. She expressed the importance of the derby, not only to focus on the farmer’s choice but also the consumer’s choice of vegetables.
Established in 1976, the PSIA is a non-stock, non-profit organization of private and public companies involved in developing, producing, and distributing high-quality vegetables and cereal seeds for Filipino farmers. With PSIA and BPI’s dedication to providing quality seeds and relevant technologies to farmers, the project aims to connect farmers with supporting institutions and businesses and to showcase and recognize high-performing vegetable seed varieties and existing technologies in seed production in the market.