DOST-NRCP RDLead Strengthens Cagayan Valley’s Agricultural Research, Plant Health Monitoring
CAGAYAN VALLEY – The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP), through the Enhanced Research and Development Leadership to Foster an Inclusive Research Ecosystem (RDLead FIRE) Program, conducted capacity-building activities on plant pathology and quality planting materials for researchers and staff of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regional Field Office (RFO) II from August 3 to 6, 2026. The engagement was led by RDLeader Dr. Narceo B. Bajet.
The four-day training equipped local researchers with tools for diagnosing crop pests and diseases, documenting field observations, and translating agricultural challenges into actionable research projects.
Focus discussions at the Southern Cagayan Research Center (SCRC) in Iguig, Cagayan, highlighted the need for systematic monitoring of tissue-cultured Lakatan banana planting materials, particularly survivability and diseases such as Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV). Dr. Bajet urged closer collaboration with Plant Health personnel and emphasized rapid pathogen detection and diagnostic tools.
Sessions introduced SMART-based approaches to pest and disease monitoring, photo-documentation, and mentoring to refine manuscripts and proposals. Emerging threats such as rice yellowing syndrome were addressed through direct mentoring.
Field activities allowed participants to apply these concepts across various crops including legumes, ube, rice, peanut, potato, okra, and eggplant, with demonstrations on disease transmission, plant signs and symptoms, and the use of a portable microscope by the Plant Health Team.
The engagement continued at the Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) in Ilagan City, where Dr. Bajet examined tissue culture work on banana, pineapple, and ube. Discussions highlighted innovations improving plantlet recovery and monitoring of distributed planting materials. Research discussions also extended to cassava production and management of cassava witches’ broom, alongside protocols for producing clean planting materials and monitoring diseases transmitted through vegetative and botanical seed materials. Field visits to crop areas around the center provided another opportunity to connect research concepts with actual production conditions.
Through the RDLead FIRE, in partnership with DOST Region II and DA RFO II, the participants connected research questions, field observations, documentation, and laboratory-based disease examination. The activities underscored the value of translating field experiences and innovations into systematic research that strengthens crop health and quality planting material production in Cagayan Valley. (Vince Estella Balahan, S&T Media Service)
