Question & AnswerQ&A (PCA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 03, SERIES 2004)
The main purpose is to implement rules and regulations governing the registration and accreditation of oil palm nurseries to ensure the use of high quality planting materials and promote the growth of the palm oil industry.
An Oil Palm Nursery is any establishment engaged in the propagation of oil palm seedlings obtained locally or through importation, intended for sale or other disposal, and accredited nurseries are certified by the PCA as capable of supplying planting materials for at least 300 hectares.
Individuals or sole proprietors registered with the DTI, partnerships or corporations registered with the SEC, cooperatives registered with the Cooperatives Development Authority, and associations registered with the Bureau of Rural Workers/DOLE may apply.
Key documents include DTI certificate or articles of incorporation, city/municipal business permit, business plan, rated capacity of nursery, location map, supplier details, training certificates for personnel, and a duly signed Nursery Inspection Agreement.
Conditions include inspection and approval by the PCA team, nursery location within or near an oil palm plantation, capacity to supply a minimum of 300 hectares yearly, and employment of qualified personnel with PCA-approved training.
The certificate is valid for one calendar year (January 1 to December 31). Renewal requires payment of the registration fee (P25,000) and may include PCA inspection.
Cancellation or suspension can occur if the nursery operator violates rules, misrepresents information, or fails to comply with certification or Nursery Inspection Agreement requirements upon investigation.
Sanctions include suspension or cancellation of registration/accreditation certificates, fines of up to P20,000, and/or imprisonment for up to five years as per P.D. 1468.
Imported materials must not be diverted from the designated place of consignment, and importation from countries with Lethal Yellowing or other diseases is prohibited.
They must display their PCA Certificate conspicuously and place signboards indicating nursery operator name, seedling source, nursery area and capacity, and seedling variety.
It is a transmissible phytoplasma disease affecting coconut and oil palm that kills the plants, and its presence in a country prohibits importation of planting materials from there.
It is a written agreement allowing PCA personnel to inspect the nursery premises to verify compliance with production and propagation guidelines for high quality planting materials.
Yes, within six months of publication, existing nurseries must register with PCA and must be accredited before supplying seedlings for planting and replanting programs.
F1 materials grow from seeds from mother palms pollinated with desirable pollen showing preferred traits; F2 materials come from F1 palms and may bear undesirable or recessive traits like low yield.
A culling rate of not less than 15% is agreed upon to remove inferior seedlings.