A technology demonstration area will soon be established in Los Banos, Laguna to showcase production of quality planting materials of selected vegetables, legumes, herbs, and fruit trees. This will be funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
This techno demo project will be implemented by the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) starting February 2017 and will be located in its experimental area behind DOST-PCAARRD Headquarters. Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Center Chief of BPI-LBNCRDC, will lead the project.
A 1,500-square meter area will be dedicated for the production of organic tomato, eggplant, pole sitao, bitter gourd, and other lowland vegetables. The proposed layout of the techno demo area will be composed of a briefing area, planting material propagation house, net house for seedlings of fruit trees, greenhouses for vegetables and herbs, gazebo, ornamental landscape, vegetables and culinary herbs production showcase, sorting area, picnic area, and fruit tree area.
The techno demo area will be opened to the public for viewing. It will serve as a venue for field days of farmers, students, pupils, local government units, entrepreneurs, and other interested individuals from all over the country.
It will be a learning center where interested groups can avail of technical assistance. Harvest festivals will also be conducted in the area.
This project will run for one year and six months and is expected to be sustained through the management of BPI-LBNCRDPSC.