THE Department of Science and Technology (Dost)-Davao is looking into prioritizing two programs in the region, the diagnosis and prevention of banana Fusarium wilt and as Halal food testing and certification.
During the Dost Mindanao Technology Transfer Day at SMX Convention Center on Tuesday, December 13, Dost Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales said the agency is working on the diagnostic and preventive measures of Fusarium wilt or Panama disease in bananas especially for cities in Panabo and Tagum.
According to promusa.org, fusarium wilt of banana, popularly known as Panama disease, is a lethal fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus. The fungus enters the plant through the roots and colonizes the xylem vessels thereby blocking the flow of water and nutrients.
The Dost partnered with the University of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) Tagum and the Department of Agriculture for research and development.
A molecular diagnostic lab was already put up at Usep Tagum for diagnosis and identification of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 in bananas.
Sales added a partnership with the Dutch Government is already for materialization to build up a plant research center and another diagnostic lab in the region.
There are two existing plant research centers in Mindanao. One by the Tagum Agricultural Development Company Inc. (Tadeco) and the other by Unifrutti Philippines Inc. in Bukidnon.
Aside from diagnosis of Fusarium Panama disease in bananas, Dost also deployed technology using certain plant extracts against the Fusarium fungus to prevent its spread to other bananas.
The agency also provides testing services for consumer items before halal certification.
Only this year, a halal laboratory was put up in Davao City to assure that the products undergo strict safety standards before they are certified as Halal.
This is in line with the Philippine Halal Export Development and Promotion Act of 2016 created to "promote the growth and ensure the integrity and quality of Philippine Halal exports."
The Davao halal laboratory is the third in Mindanao, after the halal laboratories in Cotabato City and Zamboanga City.
The DOST, meanwhile, will prioritize implementation of Small Medium Enterprise upgrading programs and local grants-in-aid in partnership with Cest Inc. in Mindanao.
Cest Inc. is a consulting sector established under Philippine Law on May 17, 1988 with the purpose of providing consultation services to the public and private corporations and government agencies and units in the Philippines, and other countries in Asia.
This local grants-in-aid program includes five interventions to rural areas: education, water and sanitation, food and nutrition, disaster and risk management, and enterprise and livelihood programs. This project has an allotted P10 million budget for Davao region alone.
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