‘Tinahig’ - one of the accessions being evaluated in the CBSUA experimental station. (Image Credit: Crops Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD)
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture’s (CBSUA) program focusing on revitalizing taro and other indigenous crops in the Bicol region is yielding promising results.
Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), the two-year program, "Boosting the Taro Industry and Indigenous Crops of the Bicol Region," recently highlighted its accomplishments during a program review conducted by the Crops Research Division (CRD).
Dr. Allan B. Del Rosario, program leader, reported the accomplishments in improving sustainable practices in taro leaves and corm production. A fertilizer trial for three taro selections under lowland and upland conditions is currently underway.
Participants from DOST-PCAARRD and CBSUA during the review of the program, titled "Boosting the Taro Industry and Indigenous Crops of the Bicol Region.” (Image credit: Crops Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD)
Dr. Del Rosario added that his team is also conducting a multi-location trial of ten promising local accessions for potential registration with the National Seed Industry Council of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (NSIC, DA-BPI).
Meanwhile, efforts to collect, survey, and characterize indigenous crops in the region are in progress. This component project targets to establish a germplasm collection for documented indigenous crops and publish information, education, and communication (IEC) materials.
A component project on product development for taro and other indigenous crops reported that a market survey for the development of taro milk has been completed.
Taro from experimental sites of the program in Pili, Camarines Sur. (Image credit: Crops Research Division, DOST-PCAARRD)
These science and technology (S&T) initiatives aim to address the low production and utilization of taro in the Bicol region due to unoptimized cultural management, high incidence of insect pests and diseases, and significant postharvest losses.
S&T consultants Dr. Lorna E. Sister and Ms. Hidelisa D. De Chavez from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) served as technical evaluators during the review.
The review was attended by representatives from CBSUA, led by Vice President for Administration and Finance Atty. Dominador F. Faurillo, with Program Leader Del Rosario, project leaders, and staff. The CRD Team was led by Planning, Programming, and Packaging (PPP) Assistant Head Kimberly Zarah B. Locsin and ISP Manager for Vegetables Joel Norman R. Panganiban.