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Graduate School<FONT face=TTE1AA06B0t00 size=6><P align=left><FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=5><STRONG>1st Pigeon pea Festival lauched</STRONG></FONT></FONT><FONT face="Verdana, Aria
T
O FORMALLY start the commercial production of pigeon pea not only in Ilocos Norte but in neighboring provinces, the Mariano Marcos State University led in the launching of the 1st Pigeon pea Festival, April 19, right at the university’s pigeon pea plantation located north of the main library.No less than Dr. William D. Dar, director-general of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), led in the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to formally declare the start of the festival. ICRISAT, which is based in Andhra Pradesh, India, is the number one collaborator of the Commercialization, Production, and Utilization of Pigeon pea Project at MMSU.
Considered as the world’s fifth most important crop, pigeon pea or “kardis” in the Ilocos, is a versatile crop both in terms of its use and in the environment in which it is grown. More than 80 percent of the world’s recorded production and consumption of the crop is in India, the reason for ICRISAT’s promotion of the crop in the Philippines. Aside from India, pigeon pea is also an important crop in several countries in Africa, Asia, and the Carribean Region.
In the Philippines, it is used as green vegetable and as a popular component of the famous “pinakbet” among Ilocanos. Other than this, no other uses of the crop has been explored, hence production is limited to those who have the taste to eat the green seed. At MMSU, this has been used as feed ingredient for broilers.
With very deep taproot and profusely active secondary roots, pigeon pea is highly drought- and heat-resistant – characteristics which can make it as an alternative crop for areas which are not very productive during the dry months of the year.
In his message, Dar requested heads of relevant agencies present during the occasion to give special attention and priority investment to the commercialization of the crop. He said that ICRISAT has come all the way from India to work “with you for the promotion of the crop in a big, big, way.” He added that the launching activity is an initial engagement and the start of a hard work for the crop’s commercialization in the country. He said he is confident that the project would be successful as “we have the right mix of individuals, institutions, and industries”. “We have to do this as a fitting effort dedicated to uplift the condition of small farmers in the rural Philippines. We need allegiance to the poor,” he said.
As a fitting response, Department of Agriculture (DA)-Regional Field Unit I Acting Director Nestor D. Domenden pledged to mobilize all resources in the region to make sure that the project “does not end at this launching festival.” Provincial Board Member Carlito N. Abadilla, chairman of the provincial council’s committee on agriculture, represented by his son, Banna Mayor Carly A. Abadilla II, likewise, pledged support to the endeavor. Moreover, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar signified his commitment especially in terms of product development. DA-BAR is the funding agency of the project.
Festival participants were given the opportunity to visit the seed production area and harvest matured pigeon pea seeds.Pigeon pea-enriched cookies and cakes were also distributed. A ceremonial awarding of pigeon pea seeds to local government units and farmer-recipients was also made during the program. The festival was organized with the leadership of Dr Heraldo L. Layaoen, MMSU’s vice president for administration, partnerships, and external linkages, who has been tapped as national program leader for pigeon pea production and commercialization.
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