USEP HOSTS 3RD PPS MINDANAO SUMMIT

The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) hosted the 3rd Philippine Phytopathological Society (PPS) Mindanao Summit with the theme “Emerging Trends and Issues in Banana and Cacao Industry” at the Obrero Campus, Davao City last April 28.

The Philippine Phytopathological Society-Southern Mindanao Division (PPS-SMD) in coordination with the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) organized the summit and gathered around banana and cacao industry stakeholders -- farmers, businessmen, private companies, government personnel, graduate and undergraduate students from agricultural schools in Region XI and XII, Mindanao’s renowned plant pathologists, and non-professional plant pathology practitioners to convey and discuss opportunities, challenges and emerging trends and issues related to these priority commodities in the country.

During the opening program, Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, USeP president and the incumbent president of the PPS-SMD, welcomed the participants. She mentioned that the summit is one of the PPS-SMD’s undertakings to host relevant events that would serve as a venue for all dedicated plant pathologists to convene and tackle important matters affecting the interest of Mindanao.

Charita Puentespina, owner of Puentespina Farms that produces the famous Malagos Chocolate, gave the keynote speech. In her message, she encouraged the participants, especially the farmers present, to plant more cacao. She even emphasized that her company required a certain quantity of dried cacao beans for chocolate manufacturing and that the farmers could market their produce to her at a higher price.

Topics discussed during the summit included Management of Vascular Streak Disease of Cacao presented by Elijah Z. Davalos, senior science research specialist of Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PHilMech); Management of Phytophthora Disease of Cacao given by Marilou N. Infante, center chief of the Regional Crop Protection Center (RCPC XI); Prospects for the Philippine Cacao Industry discussed by Peter V. Cruz, founding member of the Cacao Industry Development Association in Mindanao Inc. (CIDAMI); and the Tadeco Experience on PhilGAP tackled by Reagan D. Navarro, senior manager of Research, Information and Compliance Division of the Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. (Tadeco).