By Crisdeniele H. Clemente

To sustain garlic production in the country, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has extended its partnership with Takara Inc. to foster black garlic production and enhance the value chain in Ilocos Norte.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, and Mr. Kimio Takarada from Takara Inc. (Takara), signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) today, February 21 at the MMSU Center for Flexible Learning. 

In a five-year agreement, the MoA aims to support the implementation of the MMSU - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project on the garlic production and black garlic management system and supply and demand network development in the province.

As a primary agency in the Philippine garlic industry, MMSU will provide experiment fields, essential equipment, and laboratory spaces. MMSU also seeks to establish the Garlic Museum and Exhibition Center through the support of the national government and other agencies.

Takara will focus on the assistance in developing garlic production and postharvest technologies, which includes the demonstration of Japanese Garlic Technology in the municipalities of Pasuquin, Bacarra, and Paoay. It will also accommodate the production of black garlic and other value-added garlic products and link the province to Aomori prefecture for possible cooperation in cultural and garlic Research and Development and Commercialization.

Dr. Agrupis, project leader of MMSU’s black garlic production program, expressed her optimism about the renewed partnership. She also introduced the Takara scholars from College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development BS Agriculture and College of Arts and Sciences BS Biology.

Dr. Agrupis was joined by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, vice president for Resarch, Development and Innovation, Dr. Dionisio Bucao, MMSU research director, Ms. Noralzyn Legazpi, chief of MMSU garlic research center, and other key officials, faculty members and students from the university.

Mr. Takarada reiterated his support for the renewed collaboration. He assured that the involvement of Japanese firms will enhance the scientific and technological aspects of black garlic production and manufacturing chain in the province.

In the previous year, JICA collaborated with MMSU and Takara Inc. to review the black garlic value chain in the Philippines. This initiative formed a component of JICA's public-private partnership programs, aiming to showcase Japanese enterprises' technologies that address development challenges.