TO boost the local rice farmers' productivity and support their recovery from the shear line, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), through the provincial government of Lanao del Norte, distributed Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (CPGP) in the province on Feb. 27, 2024, at the Provincial Nursery Seed Farm, Municipality of Kapatagan.

The agency distributed 1,360 liters of CPGP to the province to equip the farmers with innovative solutions to help them recover and improve their agricultural production, particularly those affected by the shear line in 2023.

The CPGP is a natural product derived from red seaweed and developed by DoST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute scientists.

The formula has been proven to increase rice yields by as much as 30 percent compared to the yield from average farmer practices.

It also makes the crops more resistant to blight and infestation caused by the tungro virus and strengthens the crops' extensive root systems, which can better withstand the effects of lodging during typhoons.

This project targets to help 925 rice farmers from the municipalities of Kapatagan, Lala, Sapad, Salvador, Baroy, Tubod, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Maigo, and Tagoloan.

"On behalf of our governor, Angging Quibranza Dimaporo, and District Representatives Khalid Dimaporo and Aminah Dimaporo, we express our deepest gratitude to DoST for their continuous support of the Lanao del Norte community, particularly the agriculture sector," said Reinario Bihag, a member of Lanao del Norte's Sangguniang Panglungsod and chairman of committee agriculture, during the distribution ceremony.

"We are confident that, like the successful utilization of Portasol previously provided, we will effectively utilize this Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter to enhance our agricultural productivity further," Bihag added.

Through this initiative, the DoST 10 hopes Lanao del Norte rice farmers will recover from past calamities and strengthen their livelihood and enhance their agricultural practices through a sustainable and organic solution.

The CPGP enhances nutrient uptake, increases crop yield, and improves resistance to pests and diseases.

It is a DoST innovative project in collaboration with the National Crop Protection Center of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños. The initiative was funded through Congress-Introduced Increases.