Los Baños, Laguna – The newly constructed Coconut Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSet) Laboratory at the National Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) was blessed Wednesday, August 16.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) funded the establishment of the laboratory through the “Reinvigorating the Philippine Coconut Industry through the Coconut Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSet) Program.” The program aims to advance the agricultural biotechnology capability of the country in terms of rapid mass propagation of coconut planting materials.
The newly constructed CSet laboratory will house the growing number of coconut cultures mass propagated through the program.
Present in the event were Dr. Edna A. Anit, Assistant Director of the Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD and Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Coconut; Project Leader Dr. Severina B. Exconde, and several staff members of BIOTECH-UPLB.