LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – A project to document the indigenous vegetables, locally known as ‘katutubong gulay,’ in the different provinces of the Philippines has been officially set in motion in an inception meeting held at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently.
Titled, “Documentation of the Indigenous Vegetables in the Philippines,” the project will gather and compile information about several indigenous vegetables in the country. This initiative could lay the foundation for further research and development works.
Professor Nestor C. Altoveros of the Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Baños (ICropS-CAFS, UPLB) leads this initiative.
During the activity, Prof. Altoveros discussed the importance of mainstreaming the production and utilization of indigenous vegetables as healthy alternatives to common vegetables in every Filipino’s food basket.
He added that the team will be gathering available printed or electronically published, as well as unpublished materials in 25 provinces in 17 regions of the country. They will also source out materials from national and local agencies as well as public and private institutions to produce information, education, and communication (IEC) materials.
A database of all the abstracts and indices on indigenous vegetables will be one of the outputs of the Project. It will later be made accessible to all researchers and interested individuals.
In line with the targets of the Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) for Vegetables, the Project will indirectly help increase the consumption of safe vegetables in the country.
The inception meeting was led by Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, Director of the Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD, Ms. Leilani D. Pelegrina, ISP Manager for Vegetables, and other CRD staff to discuss the team’s duties and responsibilities, and refine the implementing strategies to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
Other attendees were from Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of DOST-PCAARRD and College of Development Communication (CDC) of UPLB.