The biopesticide developed by MMSU was pitched to potential investors and became one of the highlights during the Cluster Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA) event on Biofertilizer and Biopesticide held last November 12 in Valencia City, Bukidnon.

FIESTA is a technology transfer and promotion platform initiated by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) under the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). The activity was attended by farmers and investors across Region 10.

The activity was attended by high-caliber agricultural researchers and scientist across the country whose studies focused on natural pesticide as alternative to chemical pesticides that can be used in organic farming. 

The pitching was conducted in line with the FIESTA's goal to promote and commercialize biofertilizers and biopesticides developed through research and development (R&D).

Leticia A. Lutap of MMSU's Research Directorate presented the MMSU Bio-In 3 and described the technology as a plant-based biopesticide that specifically targets tomato fruit worms.

An alternative to the conventional synthetic insecticide, Lutap said that the MMSU Bio-In 3 will help reduce farmers' reliance on harmful chemical sprays for their crops aside from enriching the soil, enhancing root formation, improving seed germination, and increasing resistance to diseases. The MMSU biopesticide, according to her, is environment friendly, low cost, and locally available to farmers.

Aside from Lutap, other presenters in the FIESTA were Dr. Cecilia V. Bautista of the Central Mindanao University (CMU), and Dr. Roger R. Alferez of Cebu Technological University (CTU) - Cebu City Mountain Satellite Campus.