Twenty-two interested bamboo growers from Sarrat, Paoay, Currimao, and the City of Batac actively participated in the Enhancement Training on Bamboo Production and Support to Bamboo Growers in Ilocos Norte through INAFES at the MMSU Function Hall this November 19-20.

This is a two-day activity collaboratively conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute-Regional Training Center 1, the Mariano Marcos State University, and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte through the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist.

Trainers of the training include Prof. Charlie Batin of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) on the Prospect of Bamboo Industry in the Philippines, Bamboo Nursery Establishment, and Plantation and Management of Bamboo; Dr. Roseller Ayson of CAFSD on Rejuvenation of Old Stands and Harvesting of Poles, and Commercial Bamboo Species and their Properties; and Ms. Charito Samsam of the Research Directorate on Bamboo Preservation and Seasoning, and the Cost and Return Analysis for Bamboo Production.

A hands-on demonstration and field visit at the MMSU Bamboo Nursery will also be conducted tomorrow, November 20, to be led by Prof. Batin and the project-in-charge of the Bamboo project, Mr. Roque Mangoma and Mr. Sherwin Aglipay including the other staff of the Extension Directorate.

In the message of MMSU President, Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, she urged everyone to not only put their learnings in their notebooks, not only listen during the training, but to put every learning to their hearts and set a dream with a goal. “With MMSU in Batac and Ilocos Norte, including our supportive partner agencies, sabayantayo dagiti makitatayo nga oportunidad iti dakdakkel a dream. And you assured a no inayonyo ti gagar kadayta a dream, I am confident that you can achieve it”, she added.

PSCA also emphasized the big opportunity of bamboo production being the anchor of exporting quality bamboo products. For this, she urged the participants that ‘this [opportunity] goes back to you, our bamboo growers. You are all in this big dream for the bamboo industry’.

In support to the discussions in the training, the participants were also provided with IEC materials on the One-Node Technology and the Pole per Year (PopeYe) Technology. This shall serve as additional learning material from the training proper.

• CHED Chairperson Agrupis to be featured in MMSU-PhilRice paddy art

  JUL 07, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentA tribute to a Philippine higher education champion.Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Department of Agriculture–Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice), is set to feature Commission on Higher Education(CHED) Chairpe... [view more]
• MMSU draws 1K enrollees for SOA program on sustainable vegetable farming

  JUN 25, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentA new season of MMSU School-on-the-Air (SOA), a radio-based educational program, kicked off on June 24 and 25, drawing 1,000 enrollees from various towns in Ilocos Norte for this year’s edition focused on regenerative vegetable farming for enhanced and s... [view more]
• 34 extension programs undergo MMSU in-house proposal review

  JUN 11, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentThirty-four extension programs and projects were presented and reviewed during the 2025 In-House Proposal Presentation held from June 4 to 5 at the ILAARRDEC One-Stop Information Shop.The proposals were evaluated by Dr. Marlowe Aquino, planning director; Dr. S... [view more]
• MMSU partners with Pinili LGU for local governance extension project

  JUL 08, 2025

  By Michael VisayaTo empower residents and their leaders through capacity-building activities, the Local Government Unit of Pinili in Ilocos Norte partnered with MMSU through a memorandum of agreement (MoA) on July 3 at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Hall.Signed by MMSU President Virgilio Julius Manzano, Jr... [view more]
• NBERIC webinar opens with biomass session

  MAY 07, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentThe Mariano Marcos State University-National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center (NBERIC) launched its bioenergy webinar series, Straight Direct Talks, with an opening session on biomass held via Zoom on April 29.Dr. Aymerick Eudes, a scientist from the L... [view more]