Published November 22, 2024 by Paragon
Dr. Junel B. Soriano, Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), and Dr. Richard Nixon Gomez, General Manager of BauerTek Corporation, visited Cagayan State University-Gonzaga (CSU-G) on November 20, to explore potential collaborations in agricultural research and development.
During the visit, Dr. Soriano commended CSU-G’s pioneering work in tissue culture, particularly at the Mangrove and Bamboo Research and Innovation Center (MABRIC).
“It’s my first time seeing tissue-cultured pineapples,” Dr. Soriano remarked while touring the facility. “The laboratory here stands out for its adherence to high standards, producing quality planting materials.”
He further emphasized the rarity of tissue culture facilities in the Philippines, especially for crops other than bananas. “There’s a pressing need to expand research and development in this field, particularly for fruits and crops unique to Cagayan Valley,” he added, expressing his commitment to advancing tissue culture technology.
In addition to the tissue culture lab, Dr. Soriano highlighted the industrial potential of turmeric as a high-value crop. “Turmeric has the potential to thrive in the industry,” Dr. Soriano said, noting the increasing demand for powdered turmeric. “BauerTek partners are ready to purchase turmeric products, creating a significant opportunity for Cagayan’s farmers.”
Dr. Gomez echoed this sentiment, stating that current research on turmeric is heading in the right direction. “I’m particularly interested in exploring collaborations on turmeric and moringa. Our initial tests show promising results, which makes me optimistic about future projects,” he said.
Dr. Soriano encouraged the university and local farmers to scale up turmeric production to meet industrial demands. “If you can grow more turmeric, BauerTek is prepared to invest and support the processing and commercialization of these products,” he assured.
The visit also underscored the importance of forging partnerships to enhance CSU-G’s research and development capabilities. Dr. Froilan A. Pacris Jr., CSU-G’s Campus Executive Officer, highlighted the impact of such collaborations.
“Our campus has already received ₱15 million in funding for research and development projects from DA-BAR,” Dr. Pacris said. “With Dr. Gomez, we are working towards establishing income-generating projects. A partnership with BauerTek could provide the capital we need to realize these initiatives, making this visit very significant.”
The visit concluded with optimism about the future of CSU-G’s agricultural programs and the potential benefits these partnerships could bring to the university and the surrounding communities.
✍ Lenin Marx Siazon
📸 John Austin Viloria