Drawing from
this concept, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural
Resources Research and Development’s (PCAARRD) Science and Technology (S&T)
Anchor Program for Banana adopted various technology transfer strategies for
the benefit of smallhold banana growers.
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| From http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/ssentinel/images/stories/2012/img051812_01a.jpg |
For instance, the program showcased a package of technology in selected model farms in 22 trial sites in Quezon. This was participated in by farmer-cooperators in Infanta, General Nakar, and some island municipalities.
The program
trained 97 farmers, non-government organizations, and personnel from local
government units (LGUs) on growing lakatan and saba. This led to the inclusion
of banana production and related enterprises in the LGUs’ comprehensive
development plans.
It was also
able to establish more than 30 hectares of demo farms involving 24 cooperators
in Oriental Mindoro, Cavite, and Quirino.
Information,
education and communication (IEC) materials were distributed to
farmer-cooperators, field day participants, and Farmers Information and
Technology Services (FITS) centers in the three provinces as well as to
farmer-beneficiaries of the Federation of Free Farmers in Bohol, Quezon, and Laguna.
These farmers were also trained on banana production under coconut.
To further
showcase S&T interventions on banana, PCAARRD established 15 Science and
Technology-based Farms (STBFs) in Regions 2, 4, 7, 11, and 12.
These
interventions focused on the use of disease-free, tissue-cultured planting
materials, nutrient and water management, and application of appropriate
cultural management practices.
Using these
technology interventions effectively, Magsasaka-Siyentistas (MS) involved in
the project obtained significant increase in yield by as much as 22.89 percent
for saba and 20 percent for lakatan with improved quality of fruits.
As a result
of the STBFs, PCAARRD developed an investment package for lakatan and farm
primers on saba and lakatan production.
Technopreneurial
learning projects on banana production and entrepreneurship were also
implemented in three state universities and colleges to increase enrolment and
employability of students and graduates from the agriculture, forestry and
natural resources sectors.
Conducted
under the alliance of the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and
Development Consortium and the Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources
Research and Development, the projects were able to train 176 students, 20 graduates,
and 73 other clients.
The
Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development
Consortium likewise did its share in
the dissemination of productive banana production technology with the
establishment of a 7-hectare lakatan banana enterprise through the University
of Southeastern Philippines. (Ricardo R. Argana, S&T Media Service)