The Japanese government, in collaboration with the Philippines, is initiating a program to address diseases affecting bananas, as well as cacao. This partnership involves the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the project titled "Development of Novel Disease Management Systems for Banana and Cacao," which is part of JICA's Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) initiative.
The BPI stated, "SATREPS promotes joint research between Japanese universities and institutions with universities from partner countries, including the Philippines." This initiative aligns with the Department of Agriculture's strategy, under Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., to improve food sufficiency through enhanced production and stakeholder partnerships.
The BPI facilitated the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for this project, with discussions focusing on plant quarantine regulations, clearance, and permits. Representatives from the BPI, Central Luzon State University, Tamagawa University in Tokyo, and JICA participated in finalizing the MOA. The BPI has committed to providing comprehensive support to simplify these processes for the project's collaborators.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Commission on Phytosanitary Measures highlights the threat of Fusarium Tropical Race 4 (TR4) to banana crops, noting the significant impact on over 400 million farmers, producers, and rural households reliant on this crop, exacerbated by climate change.
Source: businessmirror.com.ph