Jardine inks five-year deal with SeedWorks for new hybrid rice seeds

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Jardine is introducing quality hybrid rice seeds such as TH-82, US-88, and Quadro Alas in its deal with SeedWorks,

Taking part in the Philippines’ bid to strengthen its rice sufficiency, Jardine Distribution Inc. (JDI) inked a five-year distributorship agreement with SeedWorks for its US Agriseeds hybrid rice seeds last January 18 at the SeedWorks office in Singapore.

Jardine Distribution, Inc. currently has in its portfolio quality hybrid rice seeds such as TH-82, US-88, and Quadro Alas – all aimed at boosting the government’s efforts to make the Philippines a top rice exporter in the world once again. This significant move will likewise help local farmers produce substantially better rice and provide a hedge against abnormal weather patterns such as the lingering El Niño in the country right now.

Jardine inks a five-year distributorship agreement with SeedWorks for its US Agriseeds hybrid rice seeds to help the country improve its rice sufficiency.

Present at the contact signing were Edwin Hernandez, JDI president; Carlos Saplala, SeedWorks Philippines general manager; Dr. Balaji Nukal, managing director of SeedWorks International Pvt. Ltd.; Wilson Kwong, JEC chief executive officer; and Roberto Luis Littaua, JDI’s marketing manager.

“Jardine acknowledges both the importance of rice production in the country and its impact on the Philippine economy. The company is thus doing its part in improving local rice production by providing quality hybrid rice seeds that will help our farmers attain optimum harvest and minimize losses,” JDI president Edwin Fernandez averred.

While in Singapore, the JDI team ensured the quality of the seeds they are bringing into the country by visiting the biotechnology facilities of SeedWorks—a state-of-the-art technology center that serves the biotech requirements of the company as well as those of other seed companies.

A featured product in the JDI and SeedWorks partnership is Quadro Alas, a type of hybrid seed that is perfect for Philippine weather, can be planted all year round, and is highly resistant to rice diseases. The Quadro Alas also promises high-quality long-grain rice.

Jardine Distribution, Inc., a member company of the Jardine Matheson Group, represents a number of leading brands in crop protection, local and foreign-made pesticides, plant growth regulators, plant nutrition, hybrid rice seeds, and vegetable seeds.

For more information, please visit www.jardinedistribution.com. 

DOTC Pursues 3-Year Program to Reduce Domestic Shipping Cost for Inclusive Growth

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The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is beginning a three (3)-year program aimed at generating growth for the country’s agribusiness trade, directly benefitting workers in the agricultural and fisheries sectors across the country, in line with President Benigno S. Aquino III’s push for inclusive growth.

Last Wednesday (May 8, 2013) the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) secured the cooperation of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on a program to pursue reforms various policy and regulatory reforms in the Philippine shipping sector in order to improve our farmers’ market access and integration by reducing the cost of domestic shipping over the next three years.

From L-R: (seated) DOTC Undersecretary for Planning Rene K. Limcaoco, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, IFC Resident Representative Jesse Ang; (standing) Narcisa Rivera of CIDA, MARINA Director Myrna Clemeno, PPA official Amy Aquino, and IFC Senior Program Manager Hans Schrader.

The project will involve a diagnostic review by the IFC to identify areas where pro-competitive practices will help meet these goals. The DOTC will work together with its frontline agencies, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), in reviewing the results of the study and implementing the recommendations of the IFC from 2013 to 2016.

“This partnership with the IFC is a very welcome development. It will have a major impact on our economy, especially for farmers and fisherfolk who stand to realize the most gains from our policy reforms,” said the Transport Department.

The DOTC explained further that, by reducing domestic shipping costs, the prices of commodities will also go down. According to a study prepared by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in 2005, 24.2% to 43.8% of the wholesale price of food products is on account of transport and logistics costs. 

“By making it cheaper to move agricultural goods from farms to markets, the prices of these commodities will also be reduced, making them more affordable to consumers,” remarked the DOTC. “These benefits are the reason why the DOTC, MARINA, and PPA – all of whom share the President’s vision of inclusive growth – look forward to this project.”

This effort is partly funded by the Canadian International Cooperation Agency (CIDA), and will require no cost on the part of the Philippine government. It is also part of the IFC’s Philippine Agribusiness Trade Logistics program.

According to IFC Resident Representative Jesse Ang, this agreement demonstrates the IFC’s confidence in the DOTC, MARINA, and PPA’s efforts to undertake shipping and port reforms.