A PROJECT that aims to increase the productivity of tomato plants through integrated crop management (ICM) in the Ilocos Region has been monitored even prior to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The ICM technologies being tested include the combination of healthy seedling technology, modified release strategy of biological control agents (BCAs), and site-specific nutrient management.
Now in its final year, the project dubbed “Development of Integrated Crop Management (ICM-Tomato) for Increasing the Productivity of Fresh and Processing Tomato Production Using Adaptable Technologies and Site-Specific Pest and Nutrient Management” was monitored by a team composed of the Crops Research Division (CRD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), various units of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), and the Northern Foods Corporation (NFC).
The monitoring team, led by Joel Norman R. Panganiban, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) manager for Vegetables from the CRD-PCAARRD, evaluated the effectiveness of technologies to control the most prevalent diseases of tomatoes, such as tomato leaf curl virus (TLCV) disease, early and late blight, bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, and Fusarium wilt.
The project sites are located in the municipalities of Sinait in Ilocos Sur; and in Paoay, Batac, and Dingras in Ilocos Norte.
Experiments of ICM technologies in the said sites were conducted under high disease pressure.
The virus causing TLCV disease, a strain unique in the Philippines, is transmitted by white flies. Due to severe infection in the sites, stunting and delayed flowering of tomatoes were observed.
Before the program ends, the team will develop information, education, and communication (IEC) materials for the recommended ICM-Tomato Program for fresh and processing tomato production in the Ilocos Region.
Meanwhile, organic vegetables produced by the farmers of the Mount Kitanglad Agri Tourism Farm (MKATF) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon were distributed by the DOST-Region 10 (DOST-10) to about 530 families in the province.
MKATF is one of the sites of the Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT) program being funded by the DOST-PCAARRD.
SciCAT is the result of technological convergence to improve the productivity and capacity for sustainable practices of farms while showcasing their beauty and attraction.
The 22-hectare MKATF is located at Sitio Sinaburan, Imbayao, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
The farm produces abaca, coffee, citronella, fruit trees, chayote, squash, sweet bell pepper, white potato, turmeric, chemical-free cabbage, and other vegetables.
This initiative is part of the Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan (LINGAP) component of the “GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19” program of the DOST PCAARRD, in support to the Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
PCAARRD is one of the sectoral councils of the DOST mandated to formulate policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based R&D in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.
It coordinates, evaluates, and monitors the national R&D efforts in AANR. It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its program./PN
