𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 – 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐂𝐀 𝐥𝐚𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐕-𝐁 | 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟓-𝟗,𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
Published by Crop Pest Management Division
The Bureau of Plant Industry – Crop Pest Management (BPI–CPMD) led by Ms. Precerpina Luzaran visited the BCA lab in region IV-B particularly in Soils Laboratory, Pinamalayan Village Lab, DA-APCO Murtha Demo Farm, Biga Calapan City and RCPC on August 5-9, 2024. The activity aims to evaluate the existing Biocon laboratories and assess the need to establish new BCA village laboratories in the region.
Pinamalayan Village Lab and Murtha Demo Farm have discontinued BCA laboratory operations due to a lack of manpower and technical expertise in BCA production and distribution, and they are experiencing difficulties in securing stock culture and the required media for mass production. Consequently, if there will be another operation in the BCA lab in their area, they suggested having a manpower who is well-trained and knowledgeable enough in handling the BCA lab, and they are requesting the BPI and RCPC to provide training or retooling to enhance their skills.
In general, it was agreed that the laboratories mentioned above will establish a Village BCA lab in their region to effectively meet the needs of farmers, ensure the availability of necessary BCAs in nearby municipalities, and satisfy farmers’ demands, especially given their distance from the main laboratory.