DoST intervention helps pineapple growers

The Department of Science and Technology is helping pineapple growers in Camarines Norte improve their harvest through technologies developed by the DoST’s Queen Pineapple Research and Development Institute (QPRDI).

DoST officials revealed at the 2026 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Weeks in the Bicol Region at the University of Camarines Norte that the QPRDI developed the QPIPED-CPM mobile app for detecting pests and crop diseases in the field and deployed the Organic Multioxigenic Solution that helped pineapple farmers reduce active mealybug populations by 23 percent to boost their return on investment.

“There is no pesticide, fungicide, or virucide, for that matter, that we could use to control it. However, with what we are currently using — the product resulting from our research, this organic anti-pathogenic solution we discovered — we were so happy to have it. First of all, it isn’t hazardous to use. You could even swallow it without suffering any harm,” QPRDI director Arlene C. Alegre said.

The institute also introduced an alternative to manual harvest or pigtas method by deploying small-scale cold chain tools like the CoolBot refrigeration facility and safe organic postharvest dip treatments that delay crown browning and extend shelf life of the fruit.

Moreover, the QPRDI has to date conducted direct training needs assessments with 320 pineapple farmers, trained 92 local farm leaders, and established three strategic techno-demo farms to bring scientific advancements directly to Bicolano soil.

The Philippines ranks second worldwide in pineapple production and Camarines Norte is the nation’s premier producer of the prized Queen Pineapple (Formosa) variety.

Around 2,300 farmers cultivate over 4,070 hectares in the province, but small-scale growers earn less than P180,000 annually due to several challenges.

Farmers are continuously plagued by devastating Mealybug Wilt Disease, uneven plant growth, and a staggering 47.82 percent postharvest losses caused by rough handling, bumpy roads, rushed sorting, and the traditional pigtas.