DOST Intensifies Promotion of Mungbean R&D Program

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has intensified its support to promote the Mungbean Research and Development program in San Mateo town, as it inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with stakeholders on Sunday, Feb 3.

The MoU was signed by DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña, San Mateo town Mayor Crispina Agcaoili and Isabela State University (ISU) President Ricmar Aquino.

Under the agreement, DOST will provide technical and financial support and promote technologies and products on the said program; ISU will provide manpower on the preparation of proposal for external funding and conduct related research studies as well as capacity development on mungbean to LGU personnel and; LGU San Mateo will provide necessary logistics, funding and coordinative support in the conduct of trainings and related activities.

The MOU is expected to take effect this year until 2024, according to DOST.

Dela Peña said there are lot of Research and Development (R&D) projects that are studied carefully by the faculty members of the University but not utilized and implemented due to lack of funds.

“I would support R&D projects that would be brought closer to the market and I encourage to conduct innovative research on products out of munggo such as emergency foods like noodles and other products since Region 2 is vulnerable to disasters,” Dela Pena said.

For his part, Aquino assured the full support of the faculty researchers of the University in the conduct of research activities related to mungbean products.

“With the help of the DOST, we could produce more products out of munggo, and come up with more technologies for mungbean production,” Aquino said.

Agcaoili, on the other hand, expressed her thanks to the DOST and ISU for the usual support they are extending to the local government particularly in the promotion of mungbean products.

“This is a milestone in San Mateo for being chosen as beneficiary of Research and Development in munggo,” Agcaoili said.

San Mateo town is regarded as the Mungbean Capital of the Philippines. On May 9, 2018, the DOST conducted its ‘Mungbean Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA)’ in the said town. (MDCT/MGE/PIA 2-Isabela)