QUEZON CITY, (PIA) –What is the connection between bananas, home gardens, and e-agritourism? They are linked by two things: food and money.
Bananas, home gardens, and e-agritourism were the topics which researchers, experts, and stakeholders eagerly exchanged creative ideas in a first-ever talk show format at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI).
The first segment described how we might create high-quality banana fruits by establishing disease-free planting materials through banana tissue culture technology.
Researchers from the BPI, led by Nancy Aspuria and Agnes Valdez, Dr. Lloyd Balinado from Southern Tagalog Agriculture, Aquatic, and Resources Research Development and Extension Consortium (STAARRDEC), and a Councilor Leonardo Hogar discussed how to produce adequate supply of quality banana planting materials in North Luzon, given that the majority of tissue-cultured bananas come from Mindanao.
The second half of the talk show focused on small fruit culture and home gardens, their cost, profit potential, and methods for proper dissemination. Juliet Ochasan of BPI-Baguio, Shiela Anunciado of IIRR, Councilor Hogar, and Felix Clemeña of Laura’s Organic Farm in San Pablo City, Laguna, all joined in.
The conversation proposed the concept of incorporating small fruit trees into backyard farming concerns, which is not a currently common practice.
The panel discussed crop management concerns, such as fertilization and pest management, and shared potential solutions.
The final segment discussed the specifics of e-agritourism, its benefits to the community, and advertising opportunities. Melinda Mondoñedo and Benito Sojor of BPI-Los Banos, Lucy Lastimosa of PCAARRD, Councilor Hogar, and Clemeña.
Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Assistant Director for Research, Development, and Production Support Services (RDPSS), thanked the researchers and guests and encouraged them to share more of the fruits of research to the public.
“We believe that research, breakthroughs, and technologies that we generate, [must be] shared to the end-users,” Gabertan said.
The talk show is the first of a long series of talk shows that will be directed and coordinated by the BPI-Assistant Director’s Office for RDPSS, in collaboration with the BPI-Information and Computer Section (BPI-ICS).
The Bureau will continue to use various multi-media and press formats to disseminate more research results that will benefit the public. (da/pia-ncr)
