Mass propagation of non-native veggies mulled
Tired of eating vegetables used in pinakbet, sinigang and nilaga?
The Philippine Seed Industry Association Inc. (PSIA) is exploring the possibility of introducing the mass propagation of non-native species of vegetables, specifically broccoli, brussel sprouts, artichoke and rhubarb.
PSIA executive director Renato Mabesa told The STAR, during a break in the lecture series on vegetables, legumes and root crops sponsored by the National Academy of Science and Technology, that seed companies are “screening which varieties are adaptable under Philippine conditions.”
He said while the government is promoting the propagation of vegetables such as eggplant, bitter gourd, kalabasa, okra, string beans, labanos, cabbage, and potatoes, among others, they are looking for new vegetables to add some variety to Filipinos’ daily fare.
Mabesa said each seed company has an experimental area where they try to grow different varieties of the four vegetables for one dry and one wet season.
“It’s a year, minimum,” before seed companies can say which varieties can thrive in local conditions, he said.
Mabesa added that “those are not even recommended” varieties since it will take two years in order to determine if the varieties will conform with the national seed industry council’s protocol.
He said that for people interested in trying their hand at growing the four vegetables, they may contact the Bureau of Plant Industry.
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