The laboratories were set up eight years ago with funding support from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Concil for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).
The facilities are located in Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-based research centers in Davao City, Zamboanga City, and Albay; PCA regional office in Palo, Leyte; PCA provincial office in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan; and at the Cavite State University (CavSU) in Indang, Cavite.
The researchers involved are E.P. Rillo, M.B.B. Areza-Ubaldo, O.D. Orense, C. A. Cueto, A.R. Rillo, G.A. Santos, D. Calub, E. Parohinog, E. Nierva, B. Paduano, R.N. Arnacon, N.S.J. Bachillor, and A. Sanchez.
Since 1996, the laboratories have cultured 71,806 makapuno embryos.By 2004, the project had dispersed 9,160 embryo-culture makapuno (ECM).
A total of 8,636 ECM seedlings are reserved at the six satellite laboratories for various clients. Additional sources of makapuno embryos are other farmer-cooperators and food processing plants.
"The partnership and collaborative efforts among the makapuno laboratories, demonstration and commercial farms, and food processing plants would help ensure a viable makapuno-based industry in the country," the researchers averred. – RAF