BATAC CITY, ILOCOS NORTE — To address the challenge of limited tomato supplies and provide farmers with a better source of income during the wet cropping season, Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) continues to promote off-season tomato production. This technology, developed by the MMSU Research Directorate and deployed by the Extension Directorate, ensures that community members directly benefit from the university's research and extension services.

As part of its initiative to bring technologies closer to local communities, the MMSU Extension Directorate, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, conducted a Pre-Dispersal Training on Off-Season Tomato Production on July 3, 2026, at the University Board Review Center.

The training equipped 97 farmer-partners from Laoag City, the City of Batac, and the municipalities of Sarrat, Badoc, San Nicolas, Pasuquin, Bacarra, Burgos, Solsona, Piddig, Marcos, Currimao, and Pinili with essential skills in off-season tomato production and farm recordkeeping. Research and extension staff also discussed project implementation guidelines necessary for successful farm establishment, as well as management practices like the use of plastic mulch, trellises, and post-harvest techniques designed to prolong shelf life and maximize profits.

Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation (VPRDI), emphasized in his message that these specific off-season tomato varieties were developed to withstand heavy rains and strong typhoons. He encouraged the participants to apply the technologies to attain better yields and to share their newfound knowledge with other community members. Furthermore, he urged the farmers to share their own best practices with MMSU and their peers so everyone could improve. Dr. Alibuyog also reassured the farmers regarding market access, stating that MMSU is ready to assist them and noting that Ilocos Norte now has a Bagsakan (wholesale) Center to accommodate their produce.

Meanwhile, Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, Director for Extension, expressed his gratitude to the farmers for partnering with the university. He reiterated that MMSU remains open to providing any assistance they might need and that the university will closely monitor their farms to document their experiences and share them with the wider community.

To provide the trainees with a ready reference on production technology—including pest and disease management strategies and the use of organic fertilizers—Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed. Contract signing and the distribution of farm inputs were conducted after the lectures.

Now in its fourth year, the off-season tomato production initiative aims for year-round tomato availability and higher market prices for local growers. The program has expanded significantly over the years, starting with partnerships in 4 LGUs, expanding to 7, then 10, and now encompassing 13 LGUs and one school, benefiting various Zanjera organizations through demonstration farms. In addition to Zanjera organizations as farmer-partners, 16 graduates of the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program were also included in this year's list of beneficiaries.

Through this continuing initiative, MMSU hopes to reach even more community members as the university scales up seed production to meet the rising demand for its off-season tomato seeds.

-Joy D. Acdan, KPS

• Ilocos garlic sustains 'white gold' PH tag

  MAR 26, 2026

  (Lifted from Philippine News Agency)by Leilanie AdrianoLAOAG CITY – Garlic, the famous "white gold” of Ilocos, took center stage on Thursday through a festival that recognizes its vital importance as one of the world’s top 10 healthiest foods, commonly used as food, condiment,... [view more]
• 4th Garlic Festival focuses on nat'l garlic self-sufficiency

  APR 02, 2026

  (Lifted from the Ilocos Times)City of Batac - The urgent drive for national garlic self-sufficiency took center stage at the opening of the 4th Garlic Festival on March 26, 2026 at the MMSU Research, Development, and Extension grounds, which gathered farmers, researchers, government officials,... [view more]

• MMSU Showcases Bamboo Propagules and Products at Batac’s 17th Farmers’ Festival

  MAY 06, 2026

  The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) highlighted the versatility of bamboo during the 17th Farmers’ Festival, held from May 1 to 3 at the Imelda Cultural Center, City of Batac. This annual event, hosted by the City Government of Batac, focused on the importance and livelihood potential o... [view more]
• Blooming Sunflowers, a gift of MMSU to graduates, community

  JUN 04, 2026

  (Lifted from Philippine News Agency)by Leilanie AdrianoBATAC CITY – Thousands of blooming sunflowers greeted visitors on Thursday as they entered the Ferdinand E. Marcos park located at the administration building of the Mariano Marcos State University here on Thursday.Growing sunflowers is an... [view more]
• MMSU Soksay Dep’t, NTA train Pinili barangay leaders on handmade tobacco papermaking

  AUG 04, 2026

  By Bella RamosBarangay leaders from three communities in Pinili learned how to transform tobacco stalks into handmade paper and marketable novelty items through a two-day entrepreneurship and skills training led by the MMSU Department of Social Sciences (DSS) under Project TALEK  on June 24&nda... [view more]