The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) kicked off on Friday, July 9, the development of the Philippines' first National Seed Technology Park (NSTP) at New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac.

The event, which also marked the launch of the DA-led Seeds for the Future campaign, was highlighted by the planting of about 500 Indigenous and endemic trees onsite "to ensure that the biodiversity and sustainability principles of NCC are met."
BCDA Senior Vice President Arrey Perez stressed that agriculture sustainability is high on NCC's priority list to help the economy "bounce back better" amid the pandemic.
"Today, we plant the seeds for the future, so Filipinos may finally realize the vision of making the country agriculturally sustainable and resilient," Perez added.
"The establishment of NSTP is important more than ever, with agriculture being a major driver for the Philippine economy's recover from the pandemic."
The NSTP would be the first to rise on the 50-hectare Agro-Industrial Corridor at NCC.
The seed technopark will serve as a home for a seed laboratory, incubation hubs, a machinery shed, soil and water chemistry laboratory, and other support facilities.
The DA and BCDA signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the NCC Agro-Industrial Business Corridor and NSTP in December 2020.