MMSU researchers won major awards during the 30th Regional Symposium on Research and Development (R&D) Highlights held at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in Bacnotan, La Union last November 27-29.

James Paul T. Madigal, Dave J. Amilao, Jayson F. Cariaga, Christopher Baga, Janssen Sagadraca, and Shirley C. Agrupis landed second place in oral research category for their study on the Assessment of the physio-chemico and microbiological changes during Nipa sap fermentation collected from different sites in Pamplona, Cagayan.

Also, Menisa Antonio, Evangeline Galacgac, and Rodel Utrera won third place in oral and poster research categories for their study on Pheno-biological characteristics of Alokon: a promising veggie.

Three groups also won poster special awards. The recipients were the groups of Maingelline Vivit and Antonio for their poster on the Anti-oxidant Galore: Getting the Most from Ilocos indigenous vegetables. Other awardees were Noralyn Legazpi, Lea Agbigay, and Christine Quiapo for their poster on Development of a technology to enhance the economic potentials of kamangeg (Dioscorea luzonensis); and Araceli J. Badar, Marissa I. Atis, Maura Luisa S. Gabriel, and Resureccion Bernadette C. Imbat for their poster on Improving the seed support system for sustainable garlic production.

In the undergraduate thesis category, Melvin Andres, Jhoanna Faye Jacinto, and Thiara Celine E. Suarez landed first place in the agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources categories, respectively.

Andres’ study involved the evaluation of Sahod Ulan rice varieties as affected by nitrogen management and carrageenan plant growth under rainfed lowland ecosystem, while Jacinto’s research focused on the utilization of fish waste as organic liquid fertilizer in the production of natural food for fishes. On the other hand, Suarez’ topic was the molecular characteristics of nipa (Nipa fruticans L.) yeast from Pamplona, Cagayan.

The symposium accommodated 31 papers for oral presentations (21 for research and 10 for development categories), 44 posters (28 for research and 16 for development categories), and 11 undergraduate theses (4 in agriculture, 3 in fisheries, and 4 in natural resources categories).

The symposium is an annual activity conducted by the18 member-agencies of the Ilocos Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILAARRDEC).

Dr. William D. Dar, president of Inang Lupa Movement, Inc. served as keynote speaker who shared his views on the theme, “Masiglang Pangkabuhayan Dulot ng Agrikultura, Pangingisda at Pankalikasan.”