MMSU GIVES FULL SUPPORT TO NVES BAMBOO GENE BANK PROJECT

Written by Administrator on 08 November 2022

By Reynaldo E. Andres

Even without a formal written agreement, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte is giving its full support to the DA Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) for its Bamboo Gene Bank (BGB) project which starts this year.

In a two-day benchmarking activity on bamboo production at MMSU last November 2-3, Dr. Bjorn S. Santos, MMSU’s Director for Research, said the University is very willing to extend its help to DA-NVES of its plan to put up its own BGB in Region 2.

“We, at MMSU, are always willing to assist you in your plan to put up a BGB in order to support Region 2’s thriving bamboo industry,” Dr. Santos said, assuring that the university has the expertise in delivering the services to the farmers in Cagayan Valley region.

To prove its commitment, the MMSU, through its Extension Directorate, has donated samples of various species of bamboo such as the kawayan tinik, black bamboo, Buddha, Chinese, dwarf, machiku, running bamboo, and the yellow striated, among others. It also gave a bag full of various technology brochures and flyers.

The NVES, too, reciprocated the gesture by donating 30 seedlings of the Siamese Abulug Pummelo (SAP)and 3 seedlings of the sweet Rongrein rambutan.

Members of the NVES team who visited MMSU were NVES Manager Arsenio M. Apostol Jr.; Valeriano T. Corales, project leader of High Value Crops Development Program; Jay Juan, GS Officer; and NVES writer Reynaldo E. Andres.

Andres was the Information Officer III of MMSU and director of its Office for Strategic Communication (StratCom) before he retired in December 2022.

“This exchange of resources spells the success of the NVES Bamboo Gene Bank project, which is now taking a giant leap to protect the genetic material of the various species of bamboo in the Cagayan Valley region,” said NVES Manager Apostol Jr., adding that the BGB will also serve as research and demonstration area for bamboo and a center for bamboo genetic resource exchange.

Corales also thanked MMSU for allowing NVES to conduct its benchmarking activity saying that the viable information “that we will be gathering will help NVES for the success of its bamboo project.”

In a briefing held at MMSU’s One-Stop Information Shop last November 2, Dr. Charlie B. Batin, program leader of MMSU Bamboo Development Project and in-charge of the MMSU Bamboo R&D Station in Brgy. Mabaleng, Batac City, discussed the detailed technologies on how to establish a bamboo plantation project, which starts from selection of planting materials to harvesting of culms.

Two of these important technologies developed by MMSU are the one-node cutting technology, which is the most effective, economical and productive method of producing bamboo planting material (propagules); and the poles per year (PoPeYe) technology, a rehabilitation, maintenance, rejuvenation, and harvesting techniques to ensure sustainable production of quality poles and shoots in unmanaged and natural bamboo stands.

Dr. Batin said that the following benefits could be derived from the PoPeYe technology: production of high quality bamboo poles which commands higher price, increase production of bamboo shoot for food and processed products, and the control of rodents and snakes invasion.

He also presented the technology on how to produce bio-char from kawayan wastes and its application to various crops.

For a successful BGB project, Dr. Batin presented the following important considerations that must be followed: 1) sourcing-out of planting materials from healthy and vigorous bamboo clumps or stands; 2) proper selection of bamboo planting materials (1-2 years old only with healthy and vigorous bud); 3) proper measurement of bamboo cuttings; 4) proper planting position of bamboo cuttings; 5) regular watering; and 6) proper hardening-off of the propagules. Bamboo propagules are ready for planting after six months.

Dr. Batin also presented the more than 1,500 listed uses of the 60 bamboo species in the Philippines, such as those in the handicraft, furniture, and housing or construction industries.

“You see, bamboo has the potential to substantially increase the income of farmers who are willing to put a bamboo plantation,” Dr. Batin said, noting that the cost per propagule today is between P100 to P5,000 depending on the species.

At the end of the benchmarking activity, the NVES team visited the 8,000-hectare MMSU Bamboo R&D Station and the University’s Engineered Kawayan (E-Kawayan) shop that produces various e-kawayan products such as furniture, rostrum, plaques, tiles, coffee mugs, frames, jewelry boxes, trophies, table markers, veneers, student desk, trays, and two-decked organizers, among others.

Meanwhile, the NVES Bamboo Gene Bank will be established within the perimeter of the 183-hectare land area of the Station where 28.65 hectares are being used for high-value commercial crops, including fruit-bearing trees.

This project is fully supported by Dir. Narciso A. Edillo, Regional Executive Director; and Dr. Rose Mary G. Aquino, RTD for Research, Regulations and Administrative Concerns.

It is hoped it will have a significant role in the transfer of viable and applicable technologies on bamboo to industry stakeholders and adaptors in the Cagayan Valley region.###

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