Published September 11, 2025 by Campus Information Office
Cagayan State University (CSU) has officially entered into a partnership with the Bauertek Farmaceutical Technologies Corporation for the production of turmeric planting materials through tissue culture propagation. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on September 8, 2025, in Bulacan, Philippines.
Representing CSU’s Officer-in-Charge, President Dr. Arthur G. Ibanez, was Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension Dr. Junel Guzman, along with CSU-Gonzaga Campus Executive Officer Dr. Froilan A. Pacris Jr. On behalf of Bauertek, General Manager Richard Nixon C. Gomez signed the agreement.
The signing was witnessed by distinguished personalities, including Undersecretary and University Consultant for the Department of Agriculture's High Value Crops Development Program, Cheryl Marie Natividad-Caballero, and Chairman of the Career Executive Service Board, Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado.
Turmeric is the key ingredient in PiCur, a well-known anti-cancer supplement developed by Bauertek. Its active component, curcumin, is sourced from turmeric cultivated by Filipino farmers. Notably, PiCur was awarded a Gold Medal at the 2024 International Invention Summit in Krakow, Poland, solidifying its reputation in the global market.
The partnership aims not only to strengthen scientific research in the country but also to provide greater support to local farmers. Through tissue culture propagation, CSU-Gonzaga will serve as a production hub for high-quality turmeric planting materials, giving farmers access to more resilient and productive crops.
According to Undersecretary Caballero, the initiative is “a good example of how government, academe, and the private sector can work together in advancing agriculture, health, and science in the Philippines.”
In an interview, Dr. Pacris highlighted the significance of the collaboration for CSU-Gonzaga, noting that it enhances the university’s role in agricultural innovation while linking its research outputs to industry and community development.
This collaboration marks a step forward in bringing research-based solutions closer to Filipino farmers, ensuring better livelihoods while contributing to health and agricultural growth in the country.
Photos: CSUG Office of Dean, College of Agriculture