DOST-PCAARRD boosts ‘Queen’ pineapple R&D with new lab

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and Camarines Norte State College (CNSC) continue to strengthen the Queen pineapple industry with the new CNSC Queen Pineapple Research and Development (R&D) Institute (QPRDI) laboratory and nursery.

Located at the CNSC-Labo campus, the QPRDI facilities were improved through the funding and support of DOST-PCAARRD under the Institution Development Division (IDD) led by Dr. Fezoil Luz C. Decena.

As the implementing agency of the Queen Pineapple Research and Development (R&D) Center under DOST’s Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) for R&D Program, CNSC has been working on research initiatives to boost the local Queen pineapple industry since 2021. Under DOST’s NICER program, this is the second center to be institutionalized among all R&D centers monitored by DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division (CRD).

During the inauguration ceremony, CNSC President Marlo M. De La Cruz acknowledged the support given by DOST, DOST-PCAARRD, and the local government of Labo and Camarines Norte to their institution. He also emphasized the importance of their partner agencies in sustaining the ongoing and future efforts of QPRDI.

CNSC officials such as Vice President for Research and Extension Rosalie A. Almadrones, Labo Campus Director Arden Peejay L. Ezaki, and QPRDI Director Arlene C. Alegre also expressed their gratitude during the ceremony.

DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for R&D Juanito T. Batalon recognized the establishment as a strategic move to address CNSC’s challenges in terms of research and extension, covering production, varietal improvement, pest and disease management, and technology development.

Meanwhile, DOST-PCAARRD’s CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina mentioned that through the new facilities, more opportunities are expected to open and create bigger impacts for the industry, especially for local Queen pineapple farmers.

The inauguration ceremony of the QPRDI laboratory and nursery was attended by CNSC officials, representatives from the local government of Labo and Camarines Norte, and DOST-PCAARRD staff led by Dr. Batalon, along with CRD Dir. Pelegrina and IDD Facilities Development and Management Section Head Engr. Ruel Carlo L. Tanqueco. (Danica Louise C. Sembrano and Victor P. Alcantara, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services)