Agreement enabling PH agri-aqua startups and ATBI collaboration inked

For the first time, Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators (ATBIs) will be assisting and collaborating with local startups through sharing of network, experts, and investors, among others.

This initiative was inked through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing led by the Laguna Polytechnic State University (LSPU) ATBI on January 26, 2021 via Zoom and Facebook Live.

With LSPU as the base agency, the ATBIs of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) and Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-FPRDI) will serve as the partner ATBIs to share their technologies on chevon dishes in retort pouch with Matt ‘n Kayla Family Farm and antimicrobial products made from tawa-tawa plant with Adoress Farm, respectively.

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Development of new gumamela and Hoya varieties, underway

Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Hoya are ornamental plants widely popular for their unique and attractive blooms. With the lockdown-induced interest and trend on growing garden- and houseplants, more consumers look out for new varieties available in the market.

In the Philippines, there is a preference for imported or international varieties of gumamela because of their large, multi-colored petals. However, these varieties do not bloom well in low and hot areas of the country.

Hoya, on the other hand, is one of the country’s most outstanding endemic ornamental plants with high commercial value but has been given very limited research attention.

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FertiGroe® increases nutrient uptake and reduces production costs of sugarcane

Inorganic fertilizer is still an important input required to achieve challenging yield targets in sugarcane farms. However, it is costly and known to deteriorate the environment when not managed properly. Not all nutrients from inorganic fertilizers could be assimilated by the crop. Some are lost due to runoff and leaching. With the application of nanotechnology in agriculture, these losses can be reduced. Hence, nanofertilizers are emerging as a promising alternative.

FertiGroe® N, P, and K are the new slow-release nanofertilizers. These are nano-sized (1-100nm) particle technology that increases surface area for nutrient adsorption. These products offer better economic yield and safer for the environment through their strong potential of slowing down or controlling nutrient release to increase nutrient use efficiency.

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Hybridization program to improve coconut production in CALABARZON

A coconut hybridization project continues to improve coconut production in CALABARZON.

Titled, “Performance Evaluation of the 2-pronged Coconut Hybridization Scheme in CALABARZON,” the project ensures availability of coconut hybrids for the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) massive coconut planting and replanting program in CALABARZON. Likewise, it capacitates extension workers and farmers with the assisted and directed natural hybridization technology.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) is providing funds to this project that is being implemented by PCA-Region IV under the supervision of PCA Deputy Administrator for Research and Development Erlene C. Manohar.

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