CLSU expands fruit-tree multiplication project

Central Luzon State University president Ruben Sevilleja has set aside an additional one-hectare area within the CLSU campus for the propagation of high-value fruit trees utilizing the multiple rootstock technology which is being promoted by noted pomologist Bernie Dizon.

A pomologist is an expert in the science of growing fruit trees.

The university has an outstanding memorandum of agreement with Dizon for the propagation and dispersal of high-value fruit trees that was first implemented in 1996. The agreement also calls for Dizon to deliver free lectures.

The project, a first in the country, was expanded by Dr. Sevilleja in 2012 when he granted the additional area. It aims to establish a permanent and large-scale source of planting materials of high-value fruit trees utilizing multiple-rooted technology.

Dizon has filled the area with doublerooted Longkong lanzones, latex-less jackfruit, guyabano, Davao pomelo, assorted species of mangoes such as Sweet Elena, Golden Queen, Chocanan, carabao mango and grapes of the Brazilian hybrid, red Cardinal and ribier varieties. According to Dizon, those that were planted during the turnover ceremonies in 2012 bore fruits after just one year, an event that was featured by DZMMZ’s Sa Kabukiran Pangkat Kaunlaran headed by Louie Tabing.

“When that happens, you (Dr. Sevilleja) shall be leaving to the university a legacy that no other president before you has established,” Dizon said during the simple rites that marked the start of the project.

For his part, Sevilleja expressed optimism that the project will be of tremendous benefit to farmers all over the country.

Dizon aims to duplicate or surpass what he has accomplished at the Dizon-DENR techno-demo center within the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife along North Ave. in Quezon City. From an initial area of 500 square meters of generally adobe and with very thin top soil, Dizon overlayed the plot with tons of garden soil, rice hull or ipa and lots of prayers.

Soon enough, the plot became a veritable garden of various fruit bearing trees, a sight so lush that it inspired DENR Secretaries Victor Ramos and Heherson Alvarez to expand the area first to 2,000 square meters and then to 4,000 square meters.

Ramos cited Dizon “for his excellent work in showcasing the agro- forestry program of the government,” while Alvarez paid tribute to him “for making the project a permanent agro-forestry project showcasing high-value fruit trees and a learning center for government technicians and farmer.”