Proven to boost rice production, Carrageenan Plant Growth Regulator (CPGR) is distributed to the beneficiaries of the Science and Technology-Community-Based Farm (STCBF) Project and School-on-the-Air (SOA) enrollees this July-August 2018.

A ceremonial distribution of carrageenan PGR benefitted the farmer-beneficiaries and SOA enrollees in the different barangays of the City of Batac last August 2, 2018 at the Imelda Cultural Center. Prior to this, the project has also distributed CPGR to the municipalities of Solsona, Vintar, Marcos, Piddig, Vintar, Sarrat, and Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte..  In addition to the distribution of CPGR, information on climate change and other information affecting the farming practices of farmers were also discussed.

Aside from being a convergence of the technical experts and farmers, the City Mayor of Batac, Hon. Albert D. Chua, graced the activity through his message of building farmers and sharing their learnings with their fellow. “No ania man ti nangngeganyo ken mapadasyo a masintiryo a nakatulong para kadakayo a mannalon, iyallatiwtayo koma ngarud met dagiti nasursurotayo tapno iti kasta sapasap ti panagprogreso, saanla a dagiti kalugarantayo iti siudad ti Batac ngem ketdi kadagiti pay dadduma a mannalon iti intero a probinsia”, he said. 

As the onset of the rainy season marks the rice cropping in Ilocandia, the STCBF project conducted series of trainings attended by the farmer-beneficiaries side by side by the distribution of farm inputs such as quality rice seedstocks, Bio-N as inoculant, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and CPGR as interventions. Monitoring activities are also conducted to ensure that the interventions and cultural management practices are followed.

            Noting the varied preferences of the farmers in the city, Hon. Chua also recognized the use of organic fertilizer and foliar fertilizers in their farming practices. “Adu dagiti ti preference-na ket foliar fertilizer, agsipud ta talaga a napintas ti epektona ta dagus a mapan kadagiti mula. Iti sabali a bangir, ti organic fertilizer, daga ti taripatuen ken estimarenna, parukaenna, nalaklaka a mangurnong iti danum para iti taraon ti ramut, no di ket ado pay a tawen ti lumabas sakbaymo a masagrap ti epektona.  Anian a nagpintas no agsinnabetda dagitoy. Maistimar iti daga sa maparang-ay ti produktom babaen iti foliar fertilizer, dikad’ sakosakon to ti masapulan kadagiti mulatayon”, he shared with enthusiasm on the use of the technologies being shared to the farmers.

Organic fertilizers are distributed in the project as an intervention to improve soil quality in Ilocandia. Aside from being a good alternative for high-cost commercially-based fertilizers, organic fertilizers are economically and environmentally-friendly farm inputs. Carrageenan PGR as foliar fertilizer, on the other hand, is a plant booster and enhancer proven to improve crop yield by up to 25-30 percent

            Questions and clarifications on the application of CPGR were also entertained in an open forum with Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, the STCBF Project Leader. Speakers during the ceremonial distribution also include Mr. Jerold Labii, a research assistant of the project, Dr. Sosima Demandante, one of the technical experts with the program stirred by Ms. Mercy Gano, all from MMSU and Ms. Rachelle Aguilar of the City Agriculture Office . Encouragements was given by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, SPM Bernan Marders through his message. City Administrator Atty. Windell Chua was also present during the distribution of CPGR. 

Recognizing the impact of partnership of the academe, research, and extension to community development in all local government units in Ilocos Norte, Hon. Chua expressed his gratitude and sustaining support to MMSU in its impactful services and useful research results in pursuit of food security and sustainable agriculture. (KSM&MRG)

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