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THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST), through its unit,
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources
Research and Development (Pcarrd) is launching an R&D program to
boost the quantity and quality of peanut production in the
country.
Dr. Patricio Faylon, Pcarrd executive
director, made the announcement during last week’s 15th DL Umali
Memorial Lecture Series at the Traders Royal Hotel in
Manila. The event was organized by the National Academy of Science
and Technology and the DM Umali Foundation.
Dr. Faylon said that the program to improve
peanut production forms part of DOST’s R & D agenda to improve
crop and livestock production in the Philippines and this particular
program will center its activities in the Cagayan Valley region.
He said the program will identify new varieties
of peanuts that are high yielding and resistant to drought as well
as diseases, the development and improvement of production
technologies for confectionery peanut, and development and
improvement of wet season peanut production technologies.
He said Pcarrd will source varieties for testing
from India’s International Crops Research Institute for the
Semi-Arid Tropics and the UP Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding.
Trials will take place for two wet and two dry seasons, he said.
“All promising selections accepted by
farmer-producers or accepted for commercial release by the National
Seed Industry Council will undergo seed multiplication for
distribution as initial breeder seeds of interested seed producing
centers and farmers, “ he added.
He said these would be tested in seven sites in
Cagayan, Isabela, and Quirino provinces.
He said that Pcarrd has targeted up to
4,000 hectares in Cagayan Valley for upgraded peanut production by
2010.
-- Ike Suarez
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