A Post-Yolanda Gift from DA

SLSU-Sogod became the recipient of a timely largesse from the Department of Agriculture (DA), on May 19, 2016 after a small delivery vehicle parked at the Tissue Culture Laboratory and unloaded laboratory equipment and reagents to be used in the abaca tissue culture laboratory.

The download of equipment is a gift from the DA in the wake of typhoon Yolanda, for the rehabilitation of tissue culture laboratories in Yolanda-affected areas. Though delayed in its delivery, the DA’s provision is providential now that SLSU-Sogod is preparing to undertake higher volume production of tissue cultured abaca, in support of the aims of the Abaca Coalition, which seeks to revive abaca cultivation in the abaca growing areas of Sogod, and Sogod Bay municipalities.

SLSU’s tissue culture laboratory currently produces the Inosa and Laylay varieties of abaca, and sparse amounts of cardaba and anthurium. 

TWO THUMBS UP. SLSU’s Tissue Culture Laboratory aide Bernard Recullo stands beside rows of the Laylay variety of abaca, a remarkable production volume for a one-man job.