The Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) will be responsible for cereals, field legumes, root crops, fibers and forage industries. It shall also spearhead the expanding and more profitable fresh fruits and vegetables subsectors, as well as the promising ornamentals and herbal medicines businesses. It will continue to (i) offer dynamic and relevant undergraduate and graduate curricular programs that shall promote science-based, modern and sustainable agriculture and develop competent and responsible crop scientists and professionals; (ii) generate sound scientific ideas, concepts, technologies, products and processes within the domains of crop science that are relevant to the needs and requirements of Philippine agriculture and end-user communities; (iii) effectively disseminate and transfer scientific knowledge and exploit the results of R&D to the local farming communities, agri-industries, consumers, export markets and other possible stakeholders; and (iv) contribute to the shaping of national policies and priorities in agriculture through the results of the ICropS R&D efforts.
The major functions of the ICropS include:
Instruction: Offer dynamic and relevant undergraduate and graduate curricular programs that shall promote science-based, modern and sustainable agriculture and develop competent and responsible crop scientists and professionals;
Research and Technology Development: Generate sound scientific ideas, concepts, technologies, products and processes within the domains of crop science that are relevant to the needs and requirements of Philippine agriculture and end-user communities;
Extension and Public Service: Effectively disseminate and transfer scientific knowledge and exploit the results of R&D to the local farming communities, agri-industries, consumers, export markets and other possible stakeholders; and
Technical Service: Contribute to the shaping of national policies and priorities in agriculture through the results of the ICropS R&D efforts.
The ICropS shall perform its functions and related activities in the following scientific disciplines and areas:
Plant Breeding and Plant Genetic Resources Management: the science and practice of identification, assembly, conservation, characterization, evaluation and utilization of crop genetic diversity; and manipulation of genetic make-up for varietal development and improvement.
Crop Biotechnology: the field of study to manipulate genomes, molecules, cellular processes and plant parts to enrich diversity, increase productivity, improve nutrition and generate novel products
Crop Physiology: the study of functioning and processes occurring in crops as they interact within the environment.
Crop Production and Management: the science and practice of producing crops aimed at increasing productivity and quality efficiently and maximizing monetary returns while minimizing and/or eliminating the negative environmental effects; also includes landscape horticulture and crop ecology.
Postharvest and Seed Sciences: related fields of study involving the physiological, biochemical and pathological changes in seeds, perishable, and durable agricultural commodities after harvest aimed at maintaining quality and ensuring safety.