THE Department of Agriculture (DA) for Central Luzon inaugurated the Multi-Purpose Research for Development (R4D) Center at the Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC) for Upland Development Zone in Magalang town recently.

The event was led by Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulatory and Integrated Laboratories Dr. Arthur Dayrit, Research Division Head Dr. Irene Adion and DA Bureau of Agriculture Research (BAR) Director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril.

The construction of this Multi-Purpose R4D Center was carried out through the Institutional Development Grant Program of DA-BAR, which will serve as a research laboratory on tissue culture propagation of upland crops.

According to the Research Outreach Station-Magalang station manager of Dr. Emily Soriano, this facility will be used for the propagation of various upland crops such as purple, nightshade and others.

It will also help in the development of protocols on upland crop production through vine-cutting techniques that will serve as a guide for farmers and in the production of upland seed crops, cuttings or tubers.

The DA hopes the new facility will be able to provide many services to upland root crop farmers.