Mothers and cooks are undoubtedly very familiar with this brand of kitchen mixes and sauces. This time, however, the name Mama Sita will not be found only in kitchens. It is also now in crop research.

This occurs as the government is implementing a new paradigm in implementing research and development (R&D) projects. This involves the private sector as the implementer of a government-funded project instead of the usual government research institutes.

This year, the Mama Sita Foundation Inc. (MSFI) started the implementation of the R&D project titled “Collection, Evaluation and Utilization of Exportable Agricultural Products.” The MSFI is a nonstock, nonprofit organization which serves as the social arm of the Marigold Commodities Corp., manufacturer of Mama Sita’s line of kitchen mixes and sauces.

The five-year project, which involves the collection and conservation of different types of crops for breeding and future use, takes a step further by fast-tracking the evaluation of selected crops developed in the Philippines and in other countries for productivity and adaptability to local conditions.

Through the project, outstanding selections can be immediately used for crop production and will then be made available to interested growers for large-scale production for the local and export markets. Duplicates of the collected germplasm will be given to the National Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory of UP Los Baños (NPGRL-UPLB) for conservation and maintenance.

The project also provides technical assistance and trainings on propagation techniques and recommended cultural practices for cooperators and farmers.

Priority crops were selected based on their immediate use, potential for development of new products and acceptability to local and export markets. These include calamansi, jackfruit, mango, tamarind, anthurium, black pepper, mangosteen, jujube, bignay and peach palm, among other crops.

The project is led by National Scientist Dr. Benito S. Vergara as principal researcher and it is cofunded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), the Office of Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. through the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research, and MSFI.

PCARRD, one of the five sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology based in Los Baños, Laguna, spearheads the coordination and monitoring of this conservation and utilization project.  (Noel A. Catibog/S&T Media Service)

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Government-Mama Sita tie up in crop research

Mothers and cooks are undoubtedly very familiar with this brand of kitchen mixes and sauces. This time, however, the name Mama Sita will not be found only in kitchens. It is also now in crop research.