Talks are ongoing between DA-PhilRice and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) on the renewal of a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will support the national rice program.
Dr. Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, chairperson of the Institute’s Technical Working Group, said that the proposed MOU will cover collaborative projects on variety development, digital agriculture tools, and new knowledge and information.
The collaboration will also cover enhanced resource-sharing of land, field experiments, research facilities, library, computer networks, workforce expertise, and project funds. Human resource development and exchange of faculty and research staff will also be stipulated in the MOU.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jose V. Camacho Jr., UPLB chancellor, said that the framework for the new MOU is anchored on raising the gears on rice research in the country in support of both institutions’ commitments to ensuring food security and alleviating poverty.
The two institutions are currently developing thermosensitive genetic male-sterile (TGMS) lines and TGMS-based two-line hybrid rice; producing nucleus and breeder seeds; implementing the National Cooperative Tests for rice; conserving and managing rice germplasm; and screening CMS and TGMS parentals, breeding lines, and promising hybrids for grain quality and resistance to major insect pests and diseases.
