BACOLOD City — The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Victorias Milling Company (VMC), the Victorias Mill District Development Council (VMDDC), and the Florencia Workers Association (FLOWA) have formally signed a Joint Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish a High-Yielding Variety (HYV) Nursery and Soils Laboratory in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
The signing took place on October 7 at the Victorias Golf and Country Club, marking a significant move to revitalize the sugarcane sector in Northern Negros. The initiative supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision and aligns with the Department of Agriculture’s efforts under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the Philippine sugar industry.
The new HYV Nursery and Soils Laboratory is expected to serve as a regional hub for sugarcane innovation, facilitating the development of resilient, high-yield varieties and promoting scientific approaches to soil health and farm productivity.
The MOA represents a milestone in collaborative efforts to secure the long-term growth and global competitiveness of the Philippine sugarcane industry, highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in sustainable agricultural development.
Key signatories included David Andrew Sanson, SRA Board Member representing Planters, on behalf of Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona; Engr. Linley Retirado, VMC Inc. president; Atty. Eva Rodriguez, VMDDC chairperson and VMC chief administrative officer; Kristine Cabuguason, VMC chief finance officer; Ramon Lavides, FLOWA president; and Eduardo Deocadez, Victorias MDDC farm manager.
In a recorded message, Azcona praised VMC and VMDDC for their efforts, emphasizing the importance of bringing research and laboratory services closer to farmers in Northern Negros, a key region for national sugar production.
Sanson described the initiative as a “mini La Granja”, referring to the SRA’s flagship research center in La Carlota City. He noted that the project will benefit both farmers and the mill by enhancing productivity and restoring the Victorias MDDC’s credibility.
“This is about mutual growth. When farmers succeed, so does the mill,” he said, urging all stakeholders to make the project a model for other sugar districts.
Rodriguez highlighted the unique strengths each organization brings: “SRA for research and technical expertise, Victorias Milling Company for resources and facilities, Victorias Mill District Development Council for on-the-ground knowledge and planter support.”
She also emphasized the shared commitment to advancing the sugarcane industry: “Everybody’s love and desire for the improvement of the sugarcane industry make this collaboration truly remarkable.”
Starting this crop year, the facility will propagate higher-yielding cane varieties and provide scientific soil analysis, signaling a shift toward evidence-based and efficient farming practices.
Retirado expressed optimism about restoring the mill’s historical role in supporting planters and strengthening the overall sugarcane sector in Northern Negros./PN
