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 of bamboo.

To support the city’s initiative, MMSU showcased various bamboo species from its bamboo nursery project. Visitors were impressed by the diversity on display, learning that bamboo offers much more than just a "plain green" aesthetic. Some of the featured propagules included:

• Yellow Bamboo: A clumping, multi-stemmed variety characterized by yellow culms (stems) with green stripes. It reaches a height of 15 meters and is easily propagated through rooted stem cuttings.

• Kawayan Tinik: Known for its height (up to 18 meters) and protective spines, this variety is highly valued for construction and furniture due to its thick, sturdy walls.

• Buddha Bamboo: A unique ornamental variety where stems form dense clumps. It is best known for the "inflated" or swollen look at the base of its nodes, resembling a belly.

• Calcutta Bamboo: A tropical clumping species native to Southeast Asia, valued both for its industrial strength and its role as a food source (edible shoots).

• Thailand Clumping Bamboo: Often called "nature’s steel," this premium, non-invasive variety is renowned for its durability and high silica content. It is a rapid producer, reaching full height in a single season.

Many festival-goers purchased seedlings to plant in their own backyards or farms. To complement these sales, MMSU distributed instructional materials on bamboo production, including the "One-Node" and "Popeye" bamboo technologies.

Beyond bamboo, the university shared farming technologies designed to help families increase their harvests and income.

The exhibit also featured products from MMSU-assisted beneficiaries, university-developed innovations, indigenous food plants, and various fruit trees.

The impact of the exhibit was immediate; following the festival, several visitors approached the university to explore potential partnerships. Both the City of Batac and MMSU are optimistic that more locals are beginning to see bamboo as "green gold"—a sustainable resource that can help improve the quality of life for Ilocano families.

For more information, please visit or contact: The MMSU Extension Directorate FB Page or its office, Research, Development, and Extension (RDE) located along Paoay road. (Mercy Ramos-Gaño, KPS)

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