Milagros, Masbate – The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) marked a major milestone in sustainable agriculture with the launch of the Bicol Region’s first Lakatan Banana Tissue Culture Laboratory bringing renewed hope to Agrarian Reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Masbate.
The facility, located in Tagbon, Milagros, was turned over under the Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support (CRFPS) project and is expected to benefit ARBs by introducing advanced agricultural technology to boost crop production and farm sustainability.
Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer (CARPO) Lerma B. Dino highlighted the pioneering nature of this project and its profound impact.
“This is truly a first for the Bicol region, and it represents a huge leap forward in our agricultural practices,” Dino stated.
“The tissue culture laboratory will be a game-changer for your cooperative and your livelihood. We have invested in this cutting-edge technology because we believe in your potential. We hope that you will sustain this project and continue to harness its benefits. Rest assured, the DAR and the local government unit (LGU) are here to support you to ensure the long-term success of this initiative,” Dino added.
Now managed by the Tagbon Agrarian Reform Cooperative (TARC), the laboratory uses tissue culture technology to grow high-quality, disease-free, and genetically identical banana plantlets quickly in a sterile environment. This innovation promises higher yields and healthier crops, especially for the popular Lakatan banana variety.
DAR, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and the Milagros LGU, will also provide comprehensive technical training to cooperative members to ensure proper operation and long-term sustainability of the facility. The TARC is expected to become a hub of agricultural innovation and knowledge-sharing across the Bicol region.
Rasty Pastrana, Chairman of the TARC, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to DAR for the transformative support: “This is truly a blessing to our cooperative; it is a testament to our dedication and active participation in improving our community. To my fellow members, we must work together to make this project a success to secure a brighter future for our families and our community.”
The new tissue culture lab stands as a model of how technology, community empowerment, and government support can work together to create resilient, modern farming systems. It paves the way for sustainable growth and greater food security for Masbate and beyond.