Mindanaotoday.com | DOST-10 to showcase smart agri tech in NSTW
By: Jasper Marie Rucat
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Science and Technology-10 (DOST-10) will put in spotlight technologies that will support the theme of the Mindanao Food Congress, which is ensuring a food secure future for Mindanao during the National Science and Technology Week alongside Oro Best Expo, October 26-30, at Limketkai Atrium, here.
“We are spotlighting our DOST developed Carrageenan growth promoter for plants. It has been tested in seven regions in the country which increases the yield of rice from 15 to 30%,” said Engr. Romela Ratilla, DOST-10 assistant regional director.
The carrageenan plant promoter comes from seaweed, which is available in Mindanao and it will enhance the growth of plants without the side effect of inorganic fertilizers and it is less costly.
At the Talakayan sa PIA media forum at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Ratilla also emphasized the need to improve food product quality.
“We are trying to improve our commercial appeal, so we want people to buy it. And we want to improve food safety,” she said.
Ratilla said they also want their manufacturers to be given a license to operate and their products be provided with a certificate of product registration because this is the only way that their products can be exported to the international market.
More importantly, DOST-10 wants to value-add.
“We want to develop value adding from our local products, for example the cabbage can be manufactured into kimchi. And kimchi is already loved around the world, even Filipinos,” she said.
For the students and the pupils, a mobile planetarium will be installed, which will include virtual stargazing.
There will also be a very special forum for startups and investors to turn concepts to businesses, so that they will also be able to provide jobs.
More information on Science and Technology will be featured as well.
The National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration is by the strength of Proclamation 780 signed by President Duterte, stating that the NSTW is celebrated to give attention to the contributions of science and technology in national development. (JMOR | PIA-10)
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