DA launches mass propagation of ginger project in Kapangan

The Department of Agriculture-Cordillera launched in Kapangan, Benguet a project that aims to mass propagate ginger in the province.
The DA Research Division is implementing the project, “Mass production of quality planting materials through mass propagation for selected high value crops in CAR,” which aims to increase the production of planting materials of selected high value crops through the use of mass propagation techniques and protocols.
The project is led by Dr. Luis Lang-oy, chief of the Research Division.
Science Research Specialist Alina Golonan said ginger, sweet potato, and mushroom are among the high value crops for the project.
With ginger having been selected as one of the ‘niche products’ of Benguet particularly Kapangan, a ceremonial planting and technical briefing was held to generate the involvement of stakeholders, key leaders, and ginger growers in the area.
The activity formalized the commitment and the roles and responsibilities of each participant in the project implementation.
During the ceremony, Mayor Manny Fermin said Kapangan was selected as one of the beneficiary municipalities for ginger production because it was once assisted by the Japanese government through the provision of technical and marketing assistance through export of the commodity to Japan sometime in the past.
“It is timely that ginger production be revived in Kapangan to ensure the availability of supply of ginger in the local market, aside from serving as an additional source of income for marginal farmers in the region,” Fermin said.
“Due to the high demand of ginger exported to Japan, wala nang natitira para sa community. So we really need to expand the production areas for ginger production,” he added.
The farmer-beneficiaries/stakeholders were briefed of their roles and responsibilities during the activity and were given three kilograms of planting materials each for mass production.
Recipients are said to give back 1.5 kilos per kilo received after harvest for sustainability and distribution to other farmers in the region.
Golonan added that other beneficiaries who attended the ceremony came from Beleng-Belis and Paykek.
The mass production of quality planting materials project is a P3 million project funded under the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research High Value Commercial Crops conducted in Benguet, Kalinga, Apayao, and Baguio City that aims to mass-produce commodities such as ginger, mushroom, and sweet potato. – Mabz Zabala