The Urban and Biodiversity Research Development and Extension Center conducted a two-day technical assistance about bamboo propagation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood in Calauag, Quezon from February 23-24.

The activity aimed to support the various stakeholders of Quezon province by enhancing their knowledge and skills on the use and development of bamboo resources in their communities.

The activity spearheaded by the CENRO Calauag, Quezon and PENRO Quezon was attended by forty-two (42) participants from ten (10) local government units from the municipalities of Alabat, Atimonan, Calauag, Guinayangan, Gumaca, Lopez, Perez, Plaridel, Quezon, and Tagkawayan.

All LGUs expressed their strong intent to promote the use of bamboo in their respective municipalities. During the action planning, some of the planned activities of the LGUs include follow-up trainings for POs, information drives, celebration of Bamboo Month, and establishment of bamboo nurseries in their municipalities.

Five (5) people’s organizations in Quezon also participated. These include the Kasamaca Farmers Association Inc., Manosikap Upland Farmers Association Inc., Samahan ng Tenured Migrants ng Maulawin Spring Protected Area, San Quintin Multi-Sectoral Organization, and San Francisco & Sto. Niño Ilaya Farmers Association Inc. The People’s Organizations.

The five POs will utilize ERDB’s bamboo technology on bamboo propagation using branch and culm cuttings as well as bamboo nursery establishment.

UBRDEC Center Head For. Gregorio E. Santos Jr. and ERDB’s bamboo expert delivered the lecture about bamboo propagation, harvesting, plantation and bambusetum establishment.

For. Santos Jr. discussed ERDB’s developed technologies on bamboo propagation through different cutting techniques which included branch cuttings, culm cuttings, and rhizome cuttings. For. Santos also emphasized the using appropriate methods that should be used depending on the species of bamboo to be propagated.

A hands-on demonstration activity about bamboo propagation technology was held on the second day of the activity in an NGP-site in Tagkawayan, Quezon.

For. Santos Jr. explained that factors such as the height, age, and the species of bamboo should be considered in the selection of quality planting materials.

In addition to these, other factors should also be considered in the selection and the preparation of the site, to which For. Santos Jr. promoted the use of ERDB’s technology through Hi-Q Vam 1, a mycorrhizal biofertilizer which improves the performance of the planted materials.

 

The LGUs and the POs have expressed their intention to adopt ERDB’s technologies as well as capacitate other stakeholders in their communities for the development of sustainable enterprises and livelihood for their communities. Ms. Adreana Santos-Remo, For. David Ivan T. Malinao, UBRDEC

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