HUNDREDS of varieties of herbs and vegetable planting materials were distributed to individuals and associations in some barangays of Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas recently.
A total of 367 assorted herbs and 118 vegetable planting materials from the Seeds and Seedlings (S&S) Plaza in Los Baños, Laguna were distributed by the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) to the beneficiaries.
Likewise, a total of 30 kilos of fresh vegetables were also distributed to the beneficiaries in the said provinces.
They were from Los Baños, Bay, Calamba, and Calauan in Laguna; Silang in Cavite; and Tanauan City in Batangas.
The planting materials which vary from lowland to indigenous included basil, mint, oregano, dill, chive, green tea, serpentina, kale, tomato, eggplant, and roselle.
This initiative was made possible through the “Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism” (SciCAT) program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The S&S Plaza is among the many sites in the country that are part of the SciCAT program.
SciCAT is the result of technological convergence which aims to improve the productivity and capacity for sustainable practices of farms while showcasing their aesthetics and practicality.
The S&S Plaza is being supported through the BPI-LBNCRDPSC project led by Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan and Cecilia C. Mallari.
Located beside the DOST-PCAARRD’s Innovation and Technology Center in Los Baños, Laguna, the S&S Plaza offers different seeds and seedlings of lowland and indigenous vegetables, planting materials of herbs, grafted fruit trees, and ornamental plants, among others.
The plaza is currently being transformed into a SciCAT farm tourism site to promote and showcase readily available matured technologies and serve as a venue for awareness creation, information dissemination, technology transfer, and skills development.
While the relief efforts of the S&S Plaza team are on-going, the team is also providing technical assistance and support to anyone who is planting within the comfort of their homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
This initiative is part of the Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan (LINGAP) component of the DOST-PCAARRD’s “GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19” program, in support to Republic Act 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
PCAARRD is one of the sectoral councils of the DOST, which is mandated to formulate policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based R&D in the different sectors under its concern.
It coordinates, evaluates, and monitors the national R&D efforts in the AANR sector. It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its program.
In a related development, the fish farm growers-cooperators of the DOST-PCAARRD reported an average daily harvest of 50 to 60 tons of tilapia and milkfish, which they claim can support the freshwater fish needs of Metro Manila and Calabarzon.
According to Taal Lake Aquaculture Alliance, Inc. (TLAAI) board secretary Mario G. Balazon, the supply of tilapia from Taal Lake remains to be abundant following the recent restocking of tilapia fingerlings./PN
