DA launches labs to bolster food security, crop resilience

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is doubling down on science and innovation to future-proof Philippine farming, with the inauguration of two key research facilities aimed at producing healthier crops and promoting sustainable pest control.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Thursday led the launch of the Bureau of Plant Industry’s (BPI) Tissue Culture Laboratory and the upgraded Biological Control Agent (BioCon) Facility at the Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center.

The P6-million initiative marks a strategic investment in modern agricultural technology to support a more resilient food system.

Tiu Laurel emphasized the role of science in overcoming long-standing agricultural threats – from disease outbreaks to climate-induced stressors.

“The Tissue Culture Laboratory will ensure a steady supply of high-quality, disease-free planting materials. This is especially crucial for the banana industry, which continues to face serious challenges due to Fusarium wilt,” he said.

Beyond addressing banana crop losses, the new lab is also equipped to propagate resilient varieties of garlic, ginger, ube, and ornamentals. The facility will supply clean, subsidized plantlets to both smallholder farmers and commercial growers – a move that not only increases productivity but also preserves the country’s rich plant biodiversity.

Meanwhile, the upgraded BioCon Facility is set to mass-produce biological agents like earwigs and beneficial fungi – a natural, eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides.

The two labs are designed to work in tandem – high-quality crops from tissue culture, protected naturally by pest-fighting organisms from the BioCon lab. This integrated system seeks to improve yields, cut chemical use, and help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Tiu Laurel praised the efforts of BPI Director Gerard Glenn Panganiban and OIC Center Chief Dr. Joel Adorada for spearheading the projects.