𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 – 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐂𝐀 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐗𝐈 | 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑-𝟐𝟕,𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.
Published by Crop Pest Management Division
The team of Engr. Remigio C. Tabil, Assistant Division Chief from the Bureau of Plant Industry – Crop Pest Management Division (BPI–CPMD), conducted a survey in existing laboratories that are producing biocontrol agents (BCAs) in Region 11 last September 23-27, 2024. This activity aims to evaluate the existing biocon laboratories and assess the need to establish new BCA village laboratories in the region.
To date, there are at least 10 laboratories managed by farmers, cooperatives, and LGUs spread across the different municipalities of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur. These laboratories mostly produce Trichoderma harzianum as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium in bananas. Meanwhile, BPI Davao laboratories produce B. bassiana, Chilocorus nigrita, C. circumdata, I. fumosorosea, and M. anisopliae.
The BCA laboratories of the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC) 11 in Davao City, Davao del Sur, which has been operating since 1987, also produces Beauveria bassiana, Chrysoperla carnea, Euborellia annulata, Isaria fumosorosea, Metarhizium anisopliae, Trichogramma chilonis, Trichogramma evanescens, Trichogramma japonicum, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma viride, and Black Soldier Fly. The RCPC also provides the initial stock cultures being used by the other BCA laboratories in the region.
They agreed that expansion of existing BCA laboratories, hiring of additional manpower, training of farmers or recipients of BCAs, purchase of additional equipment, provision of additional funds, and implementing new training approach should be done to meet the BCA needs in the region. They also support the establishment of village level BCA laboratories in selected municipalities in Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro to attain the sustainability of BCA production.
