WITH ITS continuous effort to sustain quality banana produce in the region, the Department of Agriculture (DA) XI revealed they are establishing a laboratory to produce Trichoderma path to fight fusarium wilt.
In an interview, Arlene Tiwan, DA XI regional focal person for fruits, said the Regional Crops Protection Center (RCBC), which is mainly focused on high-value crops (including banana), will enhance the knowledge of technical personnel to produce the fungus.
“Our collaboration with RCBC is ongoing, we also support funds for them to produce these Trichoderma paths, wherein the fungus will fight against the fusarium wilt and will be given to farmers affected by the disease,” Tiwan said.
Tiwan said the laboratory aims to facilitate the manufacturing of Trichoderma and other Biocon products, which are known to be resistant to Fusarium wilt, a destructive soil-borne fungal disease that affects a variety of plants, including banana plants.
Last 2022, DA XI was able to establish three units of Trichoderma Village-Level Biological Control (BioCon) Laboratory facilities, valued at PHP 2.9 million with supplies and materials, given to the municipalities affected by Fusarium wilt, namely Maragusan, Mabini, and Laak, Davao de Oro.
She also said the department is always open to collaborations with the private sector, especially in supporting the quality produce of the cavendish sector.
“DA is always open for collaboration among the private sectors and stakeholders, as long as the proposed interventions are properly documented to further minimize the control of fusarium disease, they are always welcome in our office,” she added.
