By Joycel Lagrio, STRATCOM Correspondent

To boost the production and marketing of MMSU Glut 1 corn, an improved variety of honey corn, the university, in collaboration with the Municipal Agriculture Office of Sarrat, conducted a skills development training for farmers in Brgy. San Andres, Sarrat, on March 14.

The training, attended by 22 corn farmers, aimed to equip them with agricultural technologies developed by MMSU experts. This initiative is part of the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development’s (CAFSD) Niche Extension Program on “Revitalizing Community Engagement to Institutionalize Partnerships for the Promotion, Extension and Deployment of the MMSU Glut 1 Technology.”

According to the Research Directorate, MMSU Glut 1 is a glutinous corn variety derived from honey corn, which yields higher than the original honey corn. It is a registered variety at the National Seed Industry Council as recommended for commercial release for Luzon.

During the session, farmers learned about various aspects of corn marketing, including grains, seeds, and value-added products, with Prof. Jovy Anne Pedro leading the discussions. Additionally, Prof. Luzell Pungtilan focused on value-added techniques to enhance the economic potential of corn.

Farmers were also introduced to innovative methods for transforming their MMSU Glut-1 corn harvest into value-added products like binatog (boiled white corn) and cornick (crispy corn snack). They were trained in vacuum-sealing techniques for the preservation of corn seeds.

Prof. Raymund Julius Rosales, project leader of the program, emphasized that extending this training to local farmers will help reduce dependency on external suppliers by making locally processed products more affordable.

The program will continue providing technical assistance and monitoring to ensure the sustained growth of farmers' productivity.

This initiative builds on an earlier strategic partnership agreement established with the Municipal Government of Sarrat in August 2024. The first phase of the training began in September 2024, starting the implementation of the extension program.

#MMSU #SUCCEEDMMSU

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