DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), led by OIC-director Joell Lales, met with  Senator Cynthia Villar’s chief of staff Atty. Rhaegee Tamana, DA assistant secretary for Operations Arnel de Mesa, Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, DA Corn Program’s technical adviser, Dr. Candido Damo, and DA Cagayan Valley officials and researchers led by regional technical director for research and regulations Rose Mary Aquino, to discuss the corn R4D and seed breeding initiatives of the DA Cagayan Valley Region on 26 January 2023 at DA-BAR, Quezon City. The meeting highlights the corn breeding efforts and the production data and analysis in Cagayan Valley Region, as well as the possible interventions and ways to further improve and empower the corn industry in the Philippines.

The discussion also included the strengthening of R4D in the corn industry, specifically the continuous improvement of the existing corn varieties of highest farmers’ preference and coming up with comprehensive plans and programs for the corn industry. ###

{galllery}05 [ DA officials, meeting on corn R4D and seed breeding initiatives]{/gallery}