The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Highland Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Consortium (HAARRDEC) joined together to participate in the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) celebration held recently at Tabuk City, Kalinga.
RSTW is a nationwide program of DOST that brings to the countryside science, technology, and innovation initiatives. It is the localized conduct of the National Science and Technology Week in the regions.
Showcased at the PCAARRD-HAARRDEC exhibit booth were the Council’s technologies such as carrageenan plant food supplement for rice, Nutrio biofertilizer for sugarcane, cacao quality sensor, native chicken dewormer, and non-destructive moisture meter for green coffee beans (GCB) parchment coffee.
The carrageenan plant food supplement for rice is an indigestible polysaccharide or carbohydrate extracted from edible seaweeds. Polysaccharide, when subjected to modified irradiation technology, can be an effective plant growth supplement.
Nutrio is a foliar spray biofertilizer inoculant containing beneficial microorganism that improves the productivity of sugarcane.
The cacao quality sensor is a device that determines the freshness of harvested cacao beans. It is composed of several sensors that measures sugar content, volatile alcohol, and salinity of the juice from the bean mucilage.
The native chicken dewormer uses powdered mature seeds of betel nut and ipil-ipil as main ingredients. These plants contain constituents that serve as cheap sources of anthelmintics against internal parasitism.
The non-destructive moisture meter for GCB parchment coffee is a capacitance type developed for three coffee varieties: Arabica, Liberica, and Robusta. It is 40–60% more affordable than existing commercial moisture meters.
On the other hand, HARRDEC showcased tissue-cultured strawberry and new potato varieties planting materials, among others.
Themed “Science for the people,” DOST-CAR RSTW lined up a press conference, forums, quiz contest, and other activities, including a bazaar of various technology-aided products of entrepreneurs from all over the Cordillera.
The regional S&T celebration was made possible with the support of of the Provincial Government of Tabuk City, Office of the Congressman, Kalinga State University, local government units of the Cordillera Region, line government agencies, and other partners.