The 2013 DA Administrative Order No. 019-13 establishes guidelines for the production of organic rice and corn seeds in the Philippines, in line with the Organic Agriculture Act and the Seed Development Act. These guidelines apply to all certified organic seeds, including inbred rice and OPV corn varieties, ensuring adherence to national organic standards and preventing contamination from non-organic farms. Farms must meet specific criteria for accreditation, including maintaining buffer zones and good agricultural practices. The order mandates the use of NSIC-registered varieties and outlines seed quality standards, cultural practices, and storage requirements. It emphasizes the transition to using organic seeds within five years and aims to uphold the integrity of organic farming.
2013
DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 019-13
| SUBJECT | : | Guidelines for the Production of Organic Rice and Corn Seed |
Pursuant to the RA 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act and RA 7308 or the Seed Development Act of 1992, these guidelines are issued to ensure consistent application methods, practices and techniques in the production of organic rice and corn seeds in order to safeguard the integrity of certified organic farming system and products.
1. Coverage
These guidelines shall be applied to all inbred rice and OPV corn varieties registered with the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC), traditional varieties, landraces and farmers' varieties grown as organic seeds intended for commercial purposes. Rice and corn seeds are produced from farms certified by accredited organic certification bodies shall also be considered as organic seeds.
2. The Farm and Its Location
2.1. Only farms that can show its compliance to the Philippine National Standards on Organic Agriculture (PNS OA) are eligible to produce organic rice and corn seeds.
2.2. Farms applying as organic seed farms should be surrounded by a buffer zone composed of perennial plants, which are taller than the seed crop, and isolated from areas intended for food production by a distance of least 200 meters (including the buffer zone) to prevent drift and pollen contamination from non-organic farms. For corn, there should be at least 18 days gap before planting any corn. ACTEHI
2.3. Farms being applied as Accredited Inbred Rice or OPV Corn Producer should comply with the relevant criteria for accreditation of OPV Corn and Inbred Rice Seed Growers/Producers (DA AO 20, S. 2007; DA AO 02, S. 2010).
2.4. Applicable area for Foundation, Registered and Certified Seed production should be followed as stated in the Guidelines on OPV Corn and Inbred Rice Seed Certification (DA AO 6, S. 2010; DA AO 16, S. 2010).
2.5. The area should have adequate source of irrigation water, good drainage system and fertile soil.
2.6. Soil nutrient management should be observed one year after continuous organic seed production.
2.7. The farm should be accessible to transport.
3. Seed Requirement and Standards
3.1. Varieties registered with the NSIC shall be used for organic seed production. Landraces, farmers and traditional varieties can also be grown as organic seeds.
3.2. The planting material for seed production should be produced under organic conditions. However if not available, untreated non-organic seeds can be used following Section 6 of this Order.
3.3. Seed of NSIC/PSB-registered varieties can be classified according to Seed Class following existing guidelines on OPV Corn/Inbred Rice Seed Certification. Seeds produced from varieties not yet approved by the National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and meeting the standards prescribed by the certifying agency shall be regarded as good seeds. NSIC varieties that do not conform to the NSIC-approved seed standards found on Table 1 can qualify as good seed.
3.4. The BPI-National Seed Quality Control Services shall test organic seeds intended for the market.
Table 1. NSIC-approved seed standards for rice and corn.
| Factors | Breeder | Foundation | Registered | Certified | Good | |
| Seed | Seed | Seed | Seed | Seed | ||
| Pure seed (min.) % |
99
|
99
|
98
|
98
|
98
|
|
| Weed & other crop |
0
|
0
|
0.04
|
0.04
|
0.04
|
|
| seed (max.) % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Inert matter (max.) % |
1
|
1
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
| Other varieties |
0
|
2
|
5
|
20
|
n.a.
|
|
| grains/500g (max.) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Germination (min.) * % |
85
|
85
|
85
|
85
|
85
|
|
| Moisture content |
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
14
|
|
| (max.) % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| * | based on pure seed only |
|
|
|
|
|
4. Cultural Practices
4.1. Organic fertilizer, biological pesticides, botanicals or extracts and other techniques to control weeds, pest and disease should follow the PNS OA.
4.2. Monitoring of insect pest and disease shall regularly be done to ensure the production of quality seeds. In case of pest occurrence, only pest management systems approved under the PNS OA shall be used. Usage of restricted botanicals must get prior clearance from the accredited certification body.
4.3. Weeds should be properly managed in all stages of the crop. The field should be practically free of weeds as early as the vegetative stage in order to prevent weed-seed contamination in the seed harvest. Off-types should be roughed as early as the vegetative stage to preserve purity. DETACa
5. Harvest and Seed Processing
5.1. Once the seed crop has attained its appropriate maturity, harvesting can be done with the operations complying with the PNS OA.
5.2. Seeds must be properly dried and stored in a cool and dry place to maintain its quality.
5.3. Containers used in processing and storing organic seeds should not be used for non-organic seeds.
6. Derogation Requirement
6.1. Farming systems currently certified and those seeking certification shall use organic seeds five years after the approval of this order. The existing standard on the use of untreated non-organic seeds when organic seeds are not available shall be amended accordingly.
6.2. This order shall form part of the Philippine National Standard for Organic Agriculture.
This order shall take effect immediately and shall remain enforced unless revoked.
(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALASecretary