Gift of seeds
Leigh Vial, head of IRRI’s experiment station, loads the first haul of rice seeds for multiplication in Babatngon, Leyte and eventual distribution in typhoon-affected areas in the Visayas. |
The initial lot of 1.6 tons of rice seeds was formally handed over to the DA on 9 December 2013 and will be planted at Babatngon, Leyte, for seed multiplication. The produce will then be shared among the provinces of Leyte, Samar, Capiz, and Aklan, and others yet to be identified by the DA.
Santiago Obien, senior technical adviser of the National Rice Program, said that the seed growers, as well as associations and cooperatives, need help to produce their own seeds in community seed banks so that there will be enough high-quality seeds available to our farmers in the next planting season. “We will work together with IRRI in setting up a monitoring system to ensure that these valuable seeds are planted and cared for,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala thanked IRRI for the seeds. IRRI is continually consulting with the DA about other ways through which it can help.
On behalf of its staff, IRRI will donate the funds intended for its headquarters’ year-end party to Yolanda survivors through the Catholic Relief Services (CRS). As one of the organizations working on the ground, CRS currently serves 40,000 families in Leyte and Samar, providing emergency shelter, water, sanitation and relief items. In January 2014, CRS will start a shelter recovery program as well as an agricultural recovery program which will work primarily with rice and coconut farmers in the most affected areas.
The redirection of the Christmas celebration money to typhoon-affected families was the consensus from a survey made by the Institute among its staff. IRRI management fully supports staff members’ intention to help.
Staff initiatives
IRRI staff also successfully conducted fundraising activities during the past weeks—the Yolanda Fund Drive and Dance for a Cause. The donation includes personal contributions made by IRRI employees. (http://irri-hr-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/staff-survey-resulted-to-cancellation.html, http://irri-hr-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/dance-for-cause-held-for-typhoon.html) These were earlier turned over to the Philippine National Red Cross.
Photo of turnover: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/sets/72157638500580704/
Related stories
IRRI offers rice seed aid for Leyte farmers
Yolanda survivors to get help from IRRI
Philippines: Yolanda fund drive continues
Staff survey resulted to cancellation of Institute year-end party
Dance for a cause held for typhoon Yolanda survivors
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