As part of the 51st founding anniversary celebration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), two projects on Integrated Crop Management (ICM) were featured as science and technology (S&T) innovations to improve garlic and banana productivity.
Led by the Crops Research Division (CRD), the webinar, “Enhancing Crop Yields with S&T Innovations” showcased the outputs of the DOST- and DOST-PCAARRD-funded initiatives on banana and garlic.
Assistant Professor Dara Maria Fabro-Realin of the banana project, “Integrated Crop Management (ICM) for the Rehabilitation of Banana in a Coconut Intercropping Production System” being implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); and Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, program leader of the Garlic and Other Agri-Food Condiments R&D Center program being implemented by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), served as resource speakers.
In their presentations, the two experts provided an overview of the banana and garlic industry and reported the need for new interventions to improve productivity.
Asst. Prof. Fabro-Realin discussed adopting ICM to rehabilitate coconut-banana intercropping systems and increase productivity.
Citing the importance of the timing of harvest to minimize losses, Asst. Prof. Fabro-Realin reported that their project currently conducts the validation of the mobile application, Banatech that can predict the best possible time for harvesting ‘Saba’ and ‘Lakatan.’
Meanwhile, Dr. Bucao discussed the sustainable practices for enhancing garlic productivity, including the use of clean seeds and planting materials, as well as the effective and optimized cultural practices related to soil, irrigation, crop nutrition, and pest and disease control.
Over 200 farmers, researchers, enthusiasts, and students from partner state universities and colleges (SUCs) and research institutions joined the webinar.
CRD staff members Ms. Rosemarie A. De Castro and Mr. Eiros Colins R. Penido served as the hosts and moderators during the event.