By Daniel Tapaoan, Jr., StratCom Correspondent

To 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 Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD), the skills training is part of CAFSD’s Niche Extension Project on “Revitalizing Community Engagement to Institutionalize Partnerships for the Promotion, Extension and Deployment of the MMSU Glut 1 Technology.”

Prof. Glisten Faith Pascua, CAFSD extension coordinator, said 33 farmers in Sarrat participated in the training. The farmers learned how to set planting calendars for different crops, improve planting material preparation, manage pest and post-harvest, create corn-based value-added products, and establish farmers’ cooperatives and corn enterprises. 

Furthermore, she shared that the training is the first phase of the three-year joint extension project of CAFSD and the Local Government of Sarrat. The next phase will be implemented in January 2025, focusing on the hands-on value-adding of corn products and literacy in enterprise development. 

Project Leader Prof. Raymund Julius Rosales and Project Staff Members Prof. Jovy Anne Pedro and Mr. Bryan Pungtilan, also faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, served as trainers.

A registered variety at the National Seed Industry Council, MMSU Glut 1 produces a 20% higher yield than the original honey corn. When cooked into chicharon, it requires less cooking time (3-4 hours) and has an 81% recovery rate. 

• MMSU extension personnel undergo retooling for sustainable, innovative agri practices

  OCT 21, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentMariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through its Extension Directorate, launched the Extension Workers' Technology Update Series titled Retooling for Enhanced Promotion of MMSU-Generated Agricultural Technologies in observance of the first Agriculture... [view more]
• MMSU expands indigenous food plant seedbanks and foodscapes in LGUs

  OCT 21, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM Correspondent In celebration of World Food Day, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through its Extension and Research Directorates, partnered with local government units (LGUs) and schools for the establishment of Community Foodscapes and Seedbanks for Indige... [view more]
• Research projects of MMSU bag awards at nat’l extension confab

  OCT 12, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentWith its transformative role in advancing inclusive and sustainable community development, the Extension Directorate of Mariano Marcos State University garnered multiple awards during the 2025 National Extension Conference held at Cavite State University, Inda... [view more]
• MMSU clinches two best paper awards at SUC-ACAP confab

  SEP 02, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentResearchers of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) won two Best Paper Awards at the 2025 State Universities and Colleges–Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines (SUC-ACAP) Biennial Conference and General Assembly, held on August 27-2... [view more]
• 2025 Rice Paddy art features CHED Chair Agrupis

  AUG 22, 2025

  By Michael VisayaMariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), unveiled this year’s rice paddy art featuring Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis and her ACHIEVE agenda today, August 22, at the MMS... [view more]