An effective technology transfer is crucial to an improved agricultural production.
Drawing from this concept, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) Science and Technology (S&T) Anchor Program for Banana adopted various technology transfer strategies for the benefit of smallhold banana growers.
For instance, the program showcased a package of technology in selected model farms in 22 trial sites in Quezon. This was participated in by farmer-cooperators in Infanta, General Nakar, and some island municipalities.
The program trained 97 farmers, non-government organizations, and personnel from local government units (LGUs) on growing lakatan and saba. This led to the inclusion of banana production and related enterprises in the LGUs’ comprehensive development plans.
It was also able to establish more than 30 hectares of demo farms involving 24 cooperators in Oriental Mindoro, Cavite, and Quirino.
Information, education and communication (IEC) materials were distributed to farmer-cooperators, field day participants, and Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers in the three provinces as well as to farmer-beneficiaries of the Federation of Free Farmers in Bohol, Quezon, and Laguna. These farmers were also trained on banana production under coconut.
To further showcase S&T interventions on banana, PCAARRD established 15 Science and Technology-based Farms (STBFs) in Regions 2, 4, 7, 11, and 12.
These interventions focused on the use of disease-free, tissue-cultured planting materials, nutrient and water management, and application of appropriate cultural management practices.
Using these technology interventions effectively, Magsasaka-Siyentistas (MS) involved in the project obtained significant increase in yield by as much as 22.89 percent for saba and 20 percent for lakatan with improved quality of fruits.
As a result of the STBFs, PCAARRD developed an investment package for lakatan and farm primers on saba and lakatan production.
Technopreneurial learning projects on banana production and entrepreneurship were also implemented in three state universities and colleges to increase enrolment and employability of students and graduates from the agriculture, forestry and natural resources sectors.
Conducted under the alliance of the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium and the Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources Research and Development, the projects were able to train 176 students, 20 graduates, and 73 other clients.
The Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium likewise did its share in the dissemination of productive banana production technology with the establishment of a 7-hectare lakatan banana enterprise through the University of Southeastern Philippines.