BUCAF Greenhouse set for renovation, upgrade
As part of the deliverables of the Pili NICER Program, Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) is set to implement “Renovation and Upgrading of the BUCAF Greenhouse,” which is a new project.
According to the proposal submitted by the Project Leaders, Dr. Marissa N. Estrella and Dr. Genean L. Galicia, the existing greenhouse located at the BUCAF Crop Science Department has been destroyed by the series of typhoons hitting the Bicol Region every year.
Moreover, the said greenhouse is said to have been in place for more than 2 decades and due to the destruction in the past years, its metal beams, joists, and trusses have been twisted and finally collapsed. It also used to be an orchidarium and was converted into an experimental facility during the last seven years.
With the entomological and pathological studies being conducted in connection with the Pili NICER Program, the renovation and upgrading of the greenhouse will provide a more convenient and conducive place for this kind of research, while delivering one of the components of the Pili NICER Program which focuses on the identification and survey of emerging pests and diseases in Pili. The said project is also in support of the other projects which will produce quality pili seedlings for plantation establishment as well as pili genetic analysis.
It can be noted that the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD) spearheaded the Pili NICER Program with funds from the Department of Science and Technology –Science for Change Program (S4CP). The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST – PCAARRD) is also providing additional funds from its Institutional Development Division (IDD).
The Renovation and Upgrading of the BUCAF Greenhouse will be carried out with a total of P5,457,946.91 project cost and will start its implementation in January 2022 until December 2022.
The said project will have the following six (6) major activities: (1) Strengthening of the structure to make it typhoon-proof; (2) Dividing the space into two compartments separating the working area for entomological and pathological studies; (3) Elevating the floor to safeguard the facility from occasional flooding; (4) Installation of the water system inside the greenhouse; and (5) Establishment of a typhoon-proof office and stock room.
According to the proposal, the re-establishment/upgrading of the Greenhouse at BUCAF will enhance the teaching and research functions of faculty and help the students with their research undertakings and laboratory activities. It can also be a site for the training of farmers and ‘agripreneurs’ related to crop protection and quality seedling production. Thus, a lot of stakeholders will be benefited. (Julianne Nicolle G. Moral, SRA, BCAARRD)