By Kimberly S. Miguel, StratCom correspondent

To showcase adaptability in the Philippine climate, hybrid corn varieties developed by the Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China were planted at the President’s Farm of Mariano Marcos State University main campus yesterday, December 15.

Organized by the MMSU Extension Directorate (ED), the planting of four Ludan corn varieties at the demonstration farm site was led by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU vice president for research and extension, and Consul Ren Faqiang, head of post of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City.

Other MMSU officials who joined the ceremonial planting were Dr. Dionisio Bucao, the university’s director of science and technology park; Dr. Bjorn Santos, research director; Dr. Sosima Demandante, dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development; and Ms. Bella Gervacio, chief of ED's training and continuing education section. They were joined by other faculty and students of the college. 

A modified double row planting technology developed by MMSU research directorate and an increased fertilizer recommended rate are incorporated in growing the Ludan 1, 2, 3, and 4 corn varieties.

The president’s farm is demonstrating three planting distances: 75xcm x 20cm, which is the conventional farmer’s practice in the province; 60cm x 24 cm, which is the conventional planting distance in China; and 80:30cm x 20cm for the modified double row planting technology with a fertilizer rate of 200-100-100 kg nutrients per hectare.

Consul Ren expressed delight with the activity, saying the same is being undertaken in Shandong, China to imbibe the value of “food for health and nutrition.” He also thanked MMSU “for a partnership that involves the youth, who serves as the country's hope for the future.”

For his part, Dr. Alibuyog hopes for a positive outcome so farmers in the province may have new corn varieties to adopt.

The project is one of the fruits of the partnership between the two universities. In 2021, MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and Shandong Academy President Wan Shubo signed a memorandum of understanding to implement agricultural science and technology programs.

Corn is one of the priority commodities being cultivated by the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium based in MMSU. For years now, various technologies have been generated to sustain corn production in the province for food and feed formulation, including support to the Ilocos chichacorn industry using the MMSU Glutinous Corn 1 variety.

Since its establishment in 2017, the president’s farm has been a haven of innovation and research breakthroughs in rice production. This is a collaborative project of MMSU - ED and the Philippine Rice Research Institute - Batac station. – with a report from Joann O. Allas, intern (JVBT/DPTJ, StratCom)

• LGU Burgos partners with MMSU-CIT for teacher training

  JAN 28, 2025

  By Jerylvin RabagoThe local government unit (LGU) of Burgos signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with MMSU on January 20 to enhance the skills and teaching capabilities of local educators through the College of Industrial Technology’s (CIT) banner extension program.Under the CIT’s Upgr... [view more]
• Vintar farm grows MMSU hybrid tomatoes off-season

  DEC 19, 2024

  By Jesslyn Keith ValiteDespite the wet season and back-to-back typhoons this year, MMSU hybrid off-season tomatoes proved resilient. This was showcased during a technology demonstration at Pastor Wilmar Miguel's farm in Brgy. Saricao, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, proving that fresh tomatoes can be enj... [view more]
• LGU Burgos, MMSU to modernize Radyo Karruba 91.1 FM

  DEC 12, 2024

  By Karen de la Cruz, STRATCOM CorrespondentThe local radio station Radyo KArruba 91.1 fm is set for modernization as MMSU, through its Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department, and the LGU of Burgos launched the ProCEDEE Program: Technical Assistance on December 11 through a Memorandum of Agreement... [view more]
• 11 Onion Farmers Attend Training on WINS

  JAN 30, 2025

  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]