A NUEVA Ecija-based state university and two Japanese institutions tackled key issues and concerns in banana and cacao production during an International Forum at the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) in Malate, Manila, on September 27.
The forum, led by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and Tamagawa University (TU) of Japan, was in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The event brought together international and local experts, researchers, banana and cacao growers, and importer groups, as well as key representatives from government and academia, and various stakeholders from the industry to discuss challenges and solutions.
According to the CLSU Strategic Communication Office, the event was the first International Stakeholders’ Forum of Banana and Cacao Diseases Management (BaCaDM), a collaborative effort between CLSU and TU focusing on sustainable disease management and improving the overall health of banana and cacao crops in the Philippines.
It said the discussions revolved around the dissemination of ongoing research results, identifying best practices and exploring innovative technologies to enhance the pest and disease management of the two high-value crops.
CLSU President Evaristo Abella recognized the crucial roles of all stakeholders involved in the JICA-funded project.
Also, as BaCaDM project director, Abella emphasized the importance of active participation and commitment from all stakeholders to achieve the project’s objectives.
He said CLSU will remain fully committed to supporting the initiative that aims to “benefit not only the banana and cacao industries but also the workers and consumers who rely on them.”
“CLSU will stay committed to innovative efforts in agricultural research and development, and in harnessing our international linkages for programs and projects like this that will benefit the people not only in our local communities but all over the world,” Abella said.
He also thanked the team and partners for their cooperation in the initial data gathering essential in the research, expressing hope that the project would “produce new knowledge and technologies to increase productivity to uplift the lives of banana and cacao farmers.”
In his keynote address during the forum, Fazil Dusunceli from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization emphasized the importance of prevention, preparedness response and management in plant pest and diseases prevention, and management of transboundary pests and diseases.
Dusunceli also stressed the importance of the system for seed production to produce quality planting material.
Also during the event, DA-BPI Director Glenn Gerard Panganiban, who represented and delivered the message of DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., said the two economically important crops are constantly threatened by pests and diseases, affecting yields and farmers’ income.
Panganiban said the collaborative efforts will pave the way for improvements in agriculture, directly impacting the economy by increasing production, strengthening export markets and improving the farmers’ welfare.
Other participants were Kyoko Watanabe, chief investigator of the BaCaDM project, who introduced the BaCaDM Project. Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech) Director Dionisio Alvindia, who presented the situation of banana and cacao research in the Philippines including those conducted by DA and PHilMech.
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