It traces its roots to the Plant Breeding Division of the Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture.

Dr. Emil Q. Javier later spearheaded the elevation of the division to an institute, which was approved and given funding under Presidential Decree No.

The first and second generation papayas had been previously subjected to polymerase chain reaction analysis, which indicated that the lines contain a copy of the PRSV coat protein gene.

Initial crosses had already been made between Indian transgenic eggplants and selected Philippine varieties Mara, Mistisa, Dumaguete Long Purple, and Casino.

Although engaged in genetic engineering, the institute also uses mutation breeding, which is an alternative method of improving crop varieties.