Another batch of pre-dispersal training on Glutinous Corn Production trains some twenty (20) farmers of Brgy. Lydia, Marcos this October 07, 2021.

The corn dispersal training is part of the project, Bio-Intensive Gardening (BIG)-Panlaban sa COVID-19 para sa Ilocos Project and the MMSU Extension Directorate’s Seed Dispersal Project on Corn, geared to help provide source of food and additional livelihood amid the pandemic.

A timely crop to plant after rice, corn can be planted from October to March for the dry season. Mr. Jerold Labii, Agricultural Technologist 1 of Extension Directorate’s Technology Demonstration (TD) section, discussed the Glutinous Corn Production Technology promoted by MMSU from the recommended cultural management practice for corn, site selection, land preparation, planting, fertilizer application, hilling up, irrigation, pest and disease management, harvesting, and post-harvest technologies. 

The Rationale of the training was discussed by the BIG Project Leader, Ms. Marissa Atis, of the Research Directorate. Implementing Guidelines of the project was also discussed by Ms. Bella Gervacio, Chief of Extension Directorate’s Training and Continuing Education (TCE) section and one of the project staff.

After the training, contracts with the farmer beneficiaries were signed. Farm inputs such as the MMSU Glutinous Corn 1 and the recommended rate of inorganic and organic fertilizers were distribute to cover for their land areas which total to six (6) hectares.

The MMSU Glutinous Corn 1 is an open-pollinated glutinous corn variety developed by MMSU. For a hectare, a farmer can harvest around 5.61 tons and can already be harvested at 60-70 days from planting for green corn and around 90-100 days for grain or seeds. This variety is highly recommended for chichacorn production, an emerging industry in the Ilocos marketable to local and foreign tourists. Bio-N as seed inoculant support around 30 percent of the nitrogen requirement of corn and allows the growth of more roots to assist in the absorption of nutrients in the soil. The use of earwig in controlling corn borer has also been found to reduce the amount of loss it causes that ranges from around 20-30 percent. With the use of earwigs, eggs of corn borers are exterminated while maintaining a favorable condition for environment-friendly insects.  

It can be recalled that the project also trained some 27 farmers of Brgy San Juan and Brgy. Ngabangab in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte last September 28. From the northern part of the province, the project expands to accommodate and assist the farmers in the western side of the province to promote science and technology-based interventions and strategies to increase yield while reducing production cost and augmenting income amid the pandemic.

The project is implemented by MMSU and the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC) with funding support from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) - Schools Division of Batac.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3afpBzH

• 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]
• “Buttered Chicken with Garlic White Sauce” impresses judges at 2025 Garlic Festival

  MAY 07, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentMrs. Precious Jamorabon, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Burgos, Ilocos Norte, clinched the top prize in the women’s category of the Garlic Masters – A Culinary Clash at the Garlic Festival 2025, held on April 10 to 11 at the MMSU Student Center in... [view more]
• MMSU, PGIN reignite pride in Ilocos garlic through festival comeback

  APR 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentReigniting pride in Ilocos garlic, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), brought back the Garlic Festival on April 10-11 at the MMSU Student Center.With the theme “Innovating the Fut... [view more]
• MMSU GS holds gender sensitivity training for Badoc teachers

  APR 22, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentAs part of its extension program on empowering and upgrading basic education teachers’ competencies and innovativeness, the MMSU Graduate School organized a gender-sensitivity training workshop on April 4 at Caraitan Integrated School (CIS) in Badoc.Dubb... [view more]
• MMSU conducts 2024 Extension Projects Review

  APR 07, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentThe MMSU Extension Directorate held the 2024 Extension Projects Review on March 21 at the ILAARRDEC One-Stop Information Shop at the Crops Research Laboratory to assess the progress and impact of the university’s completed extension programs.Presenters i... [view more]