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 CHS rolls out enhanced health education and screening to DepEd teachers

  NOV 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentPromoting health and wellness among public school educators, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) – Department of Nursing of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Department of Education – Schools Division of Ilocos Norte... [view more]
• MMSU CHS rolls out enhanced health education and screening to DepEd teachers

  NOV 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentPromoting health and wellness among public school educators, the College of Health Sciences (CHS) – Department of Nursing of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), in partnership with the Department of Education – Schools Division of Ilocos Norte... [view more]
• MMSU GS and LGU Dingras hold initial meeting on Social Laboratory

  NOV 26, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentAn initial meeting between the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) Graduate School, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Dingras, and the MMSU Extension Directorate discussed the establishment of the Social Laboratory for Professional Education and Rural Deve... [view more]
• Pasuquin onion farmers trained by MMSU and Jollibee Group Foundation

  NOV 20, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM To uplift local white onion growers, the Municipality of Pasuquin partnered with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) in conducting a Pre-Dispersal Training on White Onion Production at the Municipal Hall Building, November 12... [view more]
• MMSU President’s Farm showcases 8 rice varieties

  NOV 03, 2025

  By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM CorrespondentEight rice varieties under wet season conditions were showcased during the President’s Farm Field Day: A Technology Showcase, spearheaded by the Extension Directorate of MMSU on October 28, in front of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Dev... [view more]