‘Strawberry tree,’inventions, cited in BSU charter day

By Alfred Dizon

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet –The joke among locals at is when visitors arrive at the strawberry fields here, they look for strawberry trees to climb, expecting to pick a large, munchy, red fruit from branches.

           

This is not so, as the strawberry is a sprawling plant and pickers will have to get its fruits from the ground. But with demand peaking for the exotic fruit, tourists may not be disappointed anymore soon for not picking the fruit from a “strawberry tree.”

Thanks to technology developed by the Benguet State University here, strawberry plants can now be picked from “trees” where these are entwined.

Unlike in the past when strawberries could be grown only on certain months during the dry season – the fruit could also now be grown any time of the year. Researchers of this government school found out under greenhouse conditions, growing the fruit is a breeze and anybody could do this.

The BSU is set to build a large greenhouse at strawberry fields within its compound so when tourists come for a visit anytime of the year, they can pick the fruit and eat it even without washing the fruit, according to BSU president Dr. Ben Ladilad.

Strawberry production is not the only technology this school has developed. Dr. Luciana Villanueva, BSU vice president for extension affairs said.

In the early 90s, the dreaded Diamond Back pest ravaged most vegetable farms in Benguet which led to a shortage in the country’s vegetable supply.

Basing from surveys, around 75 percent of vegetables consumed in the country are produced in Benguet. 

With this, BSU researchers reportedly went to work and produced the Diadegma bacteria. These were unleashed onBenguet vegetable farms which led to eradication of the Diamond Back Moth and normalized the vegetable industry of the country.

 Lately, BSU researchers have also found out that wrinkles could be taken out from faces of humans by using soap made from a concoction of plants.

The school is now producing organic food which could also be bought at reasonable prices from its school grocery. 

Aside from these, BSU also concocted an organic “bio-fertilizer” to eliminate dependence of farmers on hazardous pesticides which have been attributed as cause of cancer among other ailments as found out in research conducted by Dr. Charles Cheng.

Cheng is not connected with the school but had conducted extensive studies on effects of pesticides among Benguet vegetable farmers.

These were highlighted during a press conference in commemoration of the 97th foundation day celebration of the BSU wherein Budget and Management Undersecretary Mario L. Relampagos was guest speaker.

Earlier, as part of festivities, Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan led ribbon-cutting of BSU exhibit featuring school products.

Among distinguished BSU researchers cited were Dr. Lorenza G. Lirio who received the 2011 Outstanding Research and Development Award from the Department of Science and Technology and the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Another is Dr. Belinda A. Tad-awan, an awardee of the 2010-2011 Regional GawadSaka- Outstanding Agricultural Scientist by the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region.

The 2011 Outstanding Research and Development Award is given to individuals or groups who have made outstanding contributions through research.             

It is not only inventions or products wherein BSU is excelling in. In the last national licensure exam for nurses, 85 out of 86 of its takers passed – a success percentage of 98.84 percent.

Now, BSU plans to open new courses and blaze new frontiers in the academic among other fields. One may see more of school developments by simply clicking “Benguet State University” online.