Land Requirement for Seed Production
- Soil must be suitable for rice seed production.
- Requires sufficient irrigation and efficient drainage systems.
Field Inspection Procedures
- Only certified production areas with filed applications and inspector validation qualify.
- Validation occurs at least one week before planting.
- Inspection conducted only for varieties approved by the Philippine Seed Board/National Seed Industry Council.
- Deputized Seed Inspectors perform preliminary inspection (15-20 days after planting) and final inspection after heading.
- Additional follow-ups are made as necessary.
- Inspectors use systematic sampling methods including strips of 25 square meters and walking sticks for accuracy.
- Records on off-types, weeds, and other contaminants are maintained.
- Fields with lodging exceeding one third or pest/disease damage over 50% are disqualified.
Field Standards
- Minimum eligible area per seed class:
- Breeder: 0.02 ha
- Foundation: 0.2 ha
- Registered: 0.5 ha
- Maximum allowed plants per 100 sq. m vary by seed class and include limits on other varieties and objectionable weeds (e.g., Barnyard grass).
Seed Lot Maximum Sizes
- Maximum number of bags per seed class and bag weight specified, e.g., Breeder seed allows 100 bags of 1-10 kg.
Bagging Requirements
- Use new polyethylene bags of size 22x42 inches.
- Bags closed with bag sewer 3 inches from edge.
- Must include printed information: grower name, address, variety, lot number, harvest date, net weight (40 kg).
Seed Piling
- Follow BPI memorandum on proper seed storage procedures.
Seed Sampling
- Must be conducted within 3 months after harvest.
- Samples: 1 kg per lot submitted for lab analysis by Deputized Seed Inspectors.
- Sampling intensity depends on number of bags in the lot.
- Certifying agency may re-sample or spot-check; failure can lead to revocation of certification.
Seed Testing
- Testing must be completed within 72 hours of sample receipt.
- Results released within 15 working days.
Seed Quality Standards
- Pure seed minimum: 98-99% depending on seed class.
- Maximum weed and other crop seeds: 0-0.04%.
- Maximum inert matter: 1-2%.
- Germination rate minimum: 85% (based on pure seed).
- Moisture content max: 14%.
- Specific allowance for other varieties grains per 500g sample varies by seed class.
Tagging Procedures
- Certification tags sealed in 8x15 cm transparent plastic packets.
- Tags issued to Deputized Seed Inspectors who attach them to seed bags.
- Tags are folded, stapled or sewn at the upper center of the bag lid.
- Inbred seed tag colors by class: White (Breeder), Red (Foundation), Green (Registered), Blue (Certified).
- Failure to comply with tagging procedures can result in denial of seed certification.
Effectivity and Supersession
- Effective 15 days after official publication.
- Supersedes Administrative Order No. 21, Series of 2007.