The National Seed Quality Control Services Division (NSQCSD), as mandated by the Seed Industry Act of 1992 (Republic Act 7308), supports the major thrusts of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Plant Industry through the provision of quality assurance and control services for seed and planting material production, processing, storage and distribution, seed research and seed training in seed quality control towards sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

The BPI-NSQCSD has stations spread across the country in the spirit of greater accessibility of the Bureau's services relevant to the agency's efforts to uphold availability of quality seeds.

VISION/MISSION

FUNCTIONS

• Formulate plans and programs on seed quality control services and activities on seed testing, seed/plant material certification and other quality control activities to be developed;
• Sample and conduct seed analysis and issue corresponding report of analysis of sample drawn from locally produced and imported seed;
• Conduct field inspection of seed crops, seed storage and processing facilities and other activities required for seed/plant material certification and issue the corresponding report of inspection;
• Conduct other related function like seed research and seed technology training for its clientele;
• Collect reasonable fees for testing of seeds, inspection of crop fields and facilities and for issuance of permits and license in relation to the activities of the Service and in accordance with the government regulation and standards;
• Supervise and coordinate all official seed testing laboratories in the regions and provincial satellite laboratories and seed certification in all provinces and sub-provinces;
• Accredit private seed testing laboratories; and
• Perform such other function as the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) may direct.

SECTIONS

Seed Certification Section

• Accreditation of seed growers to produce various seed crops
• Field inspection – inspection of the field by authorized seed inspectors at least three times per cropping season as per standards established such as isolation requirements, presence of off types, admixtures and weeds and incidences of seed-borne diseases and pests, among others.
• Seed sampling – drawing of a quantity of seed from seed lot in accordance with the International Rules of Seed Testing or as prescribed by NSIC.
• Seed Testing – accurate and prompt analysis of seed sample to determine the planting value of seed based on the methodologies prescribed by the ISTA.
• Tagging – after all field and laboratory standards are met, seed lots are then issued certification tags. Different seed classes are issued different colors: white-breeder seeds; red-foundation seeds; green-registered seeds; and blue-certified seeds.
• Inspection of seed warehouses, processing plants and seed producers/dealers‘ distribution centers and production areas.
• Pre and post control test-investigation of growing cultivars and the occurrence of certain seed-borne diseases grown on field plots. It needs familiarity of well-trained staff with the characteristics of the variety.

Crops Eligible for Certification: 

• Rice
• Corn
• Sorghum
• Mungbean
• Peanut
• Tobacco
• White Potato
• Cotton
• Wheat
• Soybean

Seed Testing Section - samples for different quality attributes in planting value such as germination, purity, varietal purity, moisture content, seed health, vigor, mechanical injury and other attributes are tested in accordance with the International Rules for Seed Testing (ISTA) or as prescribed NSIC. The following crops require seed testing:

• Agricultural Seed and Vegetable Seed Tree
• Shrub Seed Flower
• Spice, Herb and Medicinal Species

Plant Material Certification Section - aims to produce and distribute high quality planting materials of superior crop varieties of known genetic and varietal purity including freedom from the seed-borne systemic diseases. This involves:

• Formulate Plans and Programs on Plant Material Certification and Other Quality Control schemes to be developed
• Conduct validation/revalidation of existing registered parent, foundation and scion tree, plantation and root crops based on formulated guidelines.
• Conduct fruits samples for certification based on standard/guidelines.
• Tagging of certified trees and seedlings of fruits, plantation crops and root crops.
• Accredit tissue culture laboratory based on formulated standard/guideline for the production and distribution of tissue cultured planting materials.
• Conduct monitoring of foundation and scion trees and seedling for certification and periodic monitoring of certified crops.

Contact #: 8936-2546 / 8288-4668

Email:plantmaterialcertification@gmail.com

Regional NSQCS Stations: