P31M inilaan ng DOST para sa 5 commodities, food security

Naglaan ang Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ng karagdagang P31.6 milyon para sa food security research and development (R&D) projects na sumasakop sa limang commodities.

Sa isang online interview, sinabi ni DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña na bukod ito sa P36 million na inilaan ng DOST para sa mga proyekto na sumusuporta sa food security sa paghahanda para sa post-coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recovery process.

“I want to emphasize the role of R&D not just for the short and medium terms, but for the longer term as well. This is how we prepare for the future,” ani dela Peña.

Sakop ng proyekto ang bangus, ulang, native na manok, queen pineapple, bawang at iba pang pampalasa.

“We would find out the genetic diversity of ‘ulang’s’ population through mtDNA (Mitochondrial DNA) sequences and microsatellite analyses. Through this, we would know where to find the good population of ‘ulang’,” aniya.

“Potential farmer cooperators would be selected based on a set of criteria. They will be trained on native chicken production and management,” saad pa ni dela Peña.

Dagdag pa nito, ia-assess ng mga ito kung maasring may makuha sa pag-aalaga ng mga native na manok.

“After they attend the training courses, they could buy foundation stock. They will be provided with the technical know-how,” pahayag nito.

“This seeks to revitalize the garlic industry in the country and improve the other agri-food condiments industry through R&D. The program is expected to contribute to increasing the local garlic’s competitiveness in the market, and develop a successful chain for garlic production, including processing and storage facilities,” pahayag pa nito.

“The program would also find ways to detect the virus that causes disease in pineapple. Through a new system, we would study how to manage pests, and increase the production of pineapple,” dagdag pa nito.

Sinabi ni Dela Peña na makikinabang ang buong bansa sa R&D projects na ito para sa bangus, Calabarzon region para sa “ulang”, Zamboanga Peninsula para sa native na manok, Ilocos region para sa bawang, at Bicol at Eastern Visayas regions para sa queen pineapple.

“The whole milkfish industry in the country may benefit from this project,” aniya.

“The model farms by select farmer-cooperators are also expected to attract and stimulate (the) adoption of technologies among garlic growers in the region,” ayon kay dela Peña. (Bishop Jesus “Jemba” M. Basco)