The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) in collaboration with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Department of Agriculture-Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center(INREC), and the Dragonfruit Association and concerned local government units kicks-off the rehabilitation of the dragonfruit industry in the province.

It can be recalled that the dragonfruit industry in the province boomed in early 2000. However, for few years back, the industry has decline its production and commercialization because of various reasons and problems met during its peak of production. Among of these is the diseases and virus of the plants encountered by the growers which until now have no clear solution as well as the marketing issues of the growers. Hence, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte pushes the rehabilitation of the industry.

Specifically, it aims to: a) rehabilitate the dragon cactus in the province; b) increase the produced quality dragonfruit; c) sustain the quality dragon cactus planting materials; d) expand the area planted with dragon cactus; e) strengthen marketing support of the industry; and f) strengthen linkages among farmers, LGUs, NGAs, NGOs and traders.

As part of the rehabilitation program, interested dragonfruit growers will be provided with farm inputs such as dragon cactus cuttings, organic, inorganic and foliar fertilizers. The Provincial Government will provide the expenses of farm inputs to be incurred. The cooperator shall be responsible on the labor and maintenance of the plants. MMSU and DA-INREC will do the research component to provide solutions to the problems encountered by the growers especially on the pests and diseases. The PGIN together with the association aims to establish a trading posts to solve issues on marketing. Moreover, to strengthen the industry, livelihood programs will be given to the farmers who are into value-adding of the said high value cash crop.

As a kick-off activity, dragonfruit growers in Burgos, Ilocos Norte already received their farm inputs to start with the rehabilitation program. It was graced by Ms. Edita Dacuycuy, REFMAD owner, Mr. Edwin Carino, Sustainable Development Center (SDC) Officer of PGIN, Ms. Lolita Raposas of OPAg, Burgos Municipal Agriculturist Cheryll Rugian, and MMSU Extension Director Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal.

The rehabilitation of the industry is in time with the Plant-Plant-Plant program of the Department of Agriculture and one way of mitigating climate change in the province to ensure food security and sufficiency.

The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) in collaboration with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Department of Agriculture-Ilocos Norte Research and Experiment Center(INREC), and the Dragonfruit Association and concerned local government units kicks-off the rehabilitation of the dragonfruit industry in the province.

It can be recalled that the dragonfruit industry in the province boomed in early 2000. However, for few years back, the industry has decline its production and commercialization because of various reasons and problems met during its peak of production. Among of these is the diseases and virus of the plants encountered by the growers which until now have no clear solution as well as the marketing issues of the growers. Hence, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte pushes the rehabilitation of the industry.

Specifically, it aims to: a) rehabilitate the dragon cactus in the province; b) increase the produced quality dragonfruit; c) sustain the quality dragon cactus planting materials; d) expand the area planted with dragon cactus; e) strengthen marketing support of the industry; and f) strengthen linkages among farmers, LGUs, NGAs, NGOs and traders.

As part of the rehabilitation program, interested dragonfruit growers will be provided with farm inputs such as dragon cactus cuttings, organic, inorganic and foliar fertilizers. The Provincial Government will provide the expenses of farm inputs to be incurred. The cooperator shall be responsible on the labor and maintenance of the plants. MMSU and DA-INREC will do the research component to provide solutions to the problems encountered by the growers especially on the pests and diseases. The PGIN together with the association aims to establish a trading posts to solve issues on marketing. Moreover, to strengthen the industry, livelihood programs will be given to the farmers who are into value-adding of the said high value cash crop.

As a kick-off activity, dragonfruit growers in Burgos, Ilocos Norte already received their farm inputs to start with the rehabilitation program. It was graced by Ms. Edita Dacuycuy, REFMAD owner, Mr. Edwin Cari?o, Sustainable Development Center (SDC) Officer of PGIN, Ms. Lolita Raposas of OPAg, Burgos Municipal Agriculturist Cheryll Rugian, and MMSU Extension Director Dr. Aris Reynold V. Cajigal.

The rehabilitation of the industry is in time with the Plant-Plant-Plant program of the Department of Agriculture and one way of mitigating climate change in the province to ensure food security and sufficiency. #SBN

• 11 Onion FArmers Attend Training on WINS

  NOV 19, 2024

  by Joycel LagrioTo help smallholder farmers improve their productivity and reduce significant loss on weather-related risks and costs in onion production, a training on Jollibee Group Foundation's Weather Information Notification System (WINS) was conducted today, Nov. 19, 2024, at the Municipa... [view more]
• MMSU joins the 2024-Wet Season Lakbay Palay sa DA-PhilRice

  OCT 21, 2024

  by Joyce LagrioTo promote the various information and technology services of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the University through its Extension Directorate office once again joined the Lakbay Palay organized by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Batac branch.  This... [view more]
• MMSU-assisted LGUs reap awards in regional summit

  OCT 16, 2024

  By Frances Batara, StratCom Correspondent Ilocos Norte local government units (LGUs) assisted by the MMSU Extension Directorate, received awards at the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Stakeholders Forum and Techno Gabay Program Summit held on October 10-11 at the Sison Auditorium in Lingaye... [view more]
• ATI-RTC 1 recognizes MMSU-based ILAARRDEC’s support in agri-fishery development

  OCT 11, 2024

  By Jesslyn Keith Valite The Agricultural Training Institute - Regional Training Center 1 (ATI-RTC 1) recognized MMSU and the MMSU-based Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) for their contributions to agri-fishery development in the region during... [view more]
• MMSU shares improved Honey Corn technology to farmers

  OCT 05, 2024

  By Daniel Tapaoan, Jr., StratCom CorrespondentTo boost the corn industry in Ilocos Norte, the university shared its MMSU Glut 1 or the Improved Honey Corn technology to farmers on September 27 in Brgy. San Andres, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. Led by faculty-extensionists from the MMSU College of Agric... [view more]