A project on lakatan banana production completed its first year of implementation in Abra.
The “S&T Community-based Project on ‘Lakatan’ Banana Production in Abra,” aims to promote the use of tissue-culture lakatan through S&T community-based farms, increase beneficiaries’ income, and sustain the Lakatan production in Abra through the development of policy inputs on productivity, profitability, and sustainability with partner local government units (LGUs). It is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and implemented by the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST).
With the completion of the Year 1 project implementation, DOST-PCAARRD and ASIST conducted the Year 1 performance review and site visits of the project on February 9, 2026. The project is led by Dr. Nero M. Padres of ASIST.
Present in the activity are ASIST University President Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza, Jr.; Director for Research and Development Dr. Pablo B. Bose Jr.; Project Leader Dr. Paderes; Ms. Nathalia Grace Bigornia; Ms. Kae Ann P. Balingit; Ms. Tiffany Kait S. Manangbao; Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) Extension and Deployment Section Head Dr. Engelbert R. Lalican; Dr. Diana Rose P. Cabello; and Ms. Maria Althea T. Bautista.
DOST-PCAARRD and ASIST closely coordinate with the partner LGUs in Abra in monitoring and evaluating the Lakatan banana project sites.
Through the STCBF project, Lakatan banana production helps provide an additional source of livelihood and increase the income of farmers.