The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) drew out improvements for the fruits and vegetables value chain programs in a workshop held recently.
After a review of the results of the vegetable programs, additional researchable areas were identified. These ranged from soil nutrient management to seed production.
One area is refining soil test calibration to establish critical soil limits for nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous in production systems. The group suggested more studies on low tunnel structures, net coverings, pests and diseases, and irrigation.
More R&D support for commercial production of clean seed was also identified during the workshop. As well, the panel urged the Department of Agriculture-Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-NOMIARC) and commercial partners to develop a production system of foundation seed.
They also recommended to refine the disease management system for potato and to promote the use of organic amendments to control diseases.
The panel also agreed to incorporate value chain components across the different sites and commodities of the program. Such interventions include capability building program on the use of value chain tools and principles. Lastly, the panel also recommended adding in experts to assess the economic returns of fruits and vegetable projects.
The workshop involved the University of the Philippines Los Baños; UP Mindanao; Misamis Oriental State College of Agriculture and Technology; Visayas State University; Bureau of Plant Industry-Davao National Crop Research and Development Center; Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation; University of Queensland; The World Agroforestry Centre; Landcare Foundation; and DA-NOMIARC.