By Reynaldo E. Andres
Contributor
The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU)
is now the focus of attention of the national government because of its
reputable and vast expertise in agricultural research.
As proof, several government officials, in coordination with the
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), have agreed to make MMSU as the lead agency
in producing 1 million of coconut seedlings which will be planted in strategic
places in the country.
Aside from the PCA, the MMSU shall also tie-up with the National
Tobacco Administration (NTA) and the ABAKADA Party List (APL) group headed by
Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz for the further expansion of the bamboo industry.
In a coordination meeting on November 23, 2013 at the FEM
Conference Room, Dela Cruz said MMSU shall be the lead agency of the project
which is jointly supported by the APL, Sen. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and
Governors Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos of Ilocos Norte and Ryan Luis Singson of
Ilocos Sur.
To start, the university is tasked to propagate some 30,000
coconut seedlings in six strategic sites in Batac, Currimao, and Dingras
campuses.
“Our target is 650,000 coconut seedlings from MMSU and 350,000
seedlings from the Cagayan State University (CSU) which is also one of the
sites of the nursery project,” Dela Cruz said.
Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, MMSU vice president for research and
extension said the university will do its best to propagate the needed coconut
seedlings that are ready to be transplanted at the onset of the rainy season.
That is, if PCA is swift enough to bring in the needed plantation requirements
next month.
Gen. Nestor Sadiarin who joined the group discussion also
assured his help in propagating coconut seedlings in Mt. Banahaw, Aurora in
Quezon Province and in Cagayan where the open pollinated variety of coconut
abounds.
“We have existing memorandum of understanding with CSU and the
Ifugao State University for the production of additional seedlings and
nurseries,” he said adding that at P30 per seed nut, the whole composite
project areas have an allotted budget of more than P30 million.
On the other hand, Dela Cruz assured support to MMSU in
expanding the mandate of its Bamboo Development Project in terms of production
and commercialization.
Aside from the Engineered Kawayan (E-Kawayan) products that MMSU
are now producing, Dela Cruz has challenged those taking the lead to produce
bicycles made of bamboo. This, he said, would attract the attention of
manufacturers of aesthetic products that would invade the global market.
Anent to this, the party list representative is planning to put
up another E-Kawayan factory in Ilocos Norte which is similar to the one put up
by the Alaminos City government through Mayor Hernani Braganza.
“All these projects shall be presented to the members of the
MMSU board of regents in their December meeting to formalize the start of
everything that have been planned,” he said.
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