PRRI Technical Staff provides technical assistance to DENR-FMB during the conduct of “National Trainer’s Training on Pest, Diseases, and Plantation Management of Rubber

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Forest Management Bureau (DENR-FMB) National Office, have conducted the three (3) –day “National Trainer’s Training on Pest, Diseases, and Plantation Management of Rubber” last November 26-28, 2019 held in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay based on the suggested venue of PRRI. This activity aimed of enhancing the technical capability of the Technical Personnel of DENR Regional Field Offices as well as representatives from the engaged People’s Organizations (POs) who are the implementors of the Enhanced and Expanded National Greening Program (Engp; who are also direct beneficiaries of the DENR’s sustainable livelihood program. In this regard, the DENR-FMB have requested the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) for a Technical Staff who can give lectures and hands-on training on different skills to the participants. In response, the PRRI Director Dennis H. Palabrica recommended Mr. Meynard P. Abello, who is the OIC of the Crop Management Division to act on the said activity.

On the first day, the PRRI Technical Staff were able to give lectures pertaining to the Current Trend on Philippine Rubber Industry and all topics pertaining to Rubber Production Management (i.e. Establishment and Management of Rubber Budwood & Rootstock Nursery, Establishment and Management of Immature Rubber Plantation, Rubber-Based Farming System (Intercropping), Insect Pests of Rubber and their Control, Common Diseases of Rubber and their Control). Numerous questions were raised by the participants after every lecture presentation and the PRRI Technical Staff (Resource Person) answered all their questions critically. On the second day, lecture presentations were continued on “Latex Harvesting Management in Rubber” and “Natural Rubber Processing”. After that, PRRI Technical Personnel facilitated the field visits of participants in GARBEMCO rubber plantation in Brgy. Goodyear, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay to observe the actual treatment of White Root Rot Disease; identification on different signs and symptoms of common rubber diseases in the field; collection of common rubber leaf disease samples and brought the leaf disease samples in PRRI laboratory where the Resource Person performed the proper laboratory diagnosis and the participants were able to see the Corynespora cassiicola pathogen causing the Corynespora Leaf Fall Disease of rubber through the aid of microscope. In the afternoon, the participants were able to visit the Philippine Pioneer Rubber Products Corporation (PPRPC) processing plant in Brgy. Lapaz, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay to observe their existing post-harvest practices and finished semi-processed rubber products such as Crump Rubber derived from cuplumps and latex production. Moreover, on the third day, the participants were also given hands-on training on proper budding techniques (also termed as budgrafting) for asexual propagation in the morning; and hands-on training of participants on latex harvesting or rubber tapping in the afternoon. At the end of the training, the participants were able to give their positive impressions, which also they expressed optimism and willingness to learn more, apply all the knowledge and encourage other rubber growers to continue in the pursuit of economically and environmentally sustainable quality natural rubber industry, despite various challenges in the industry such as the low price of rubber. The participants also gave their words of gratitude to the PRRI Resource Person and to the organizing team of DENR-Forest Management Bureau.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION

Lecture presentations given by PRRI Resource Person to the participants during the first day of the training.

Farmer-Leader from one of the People’s Organizations (POs) raised questions pertaining on the topic “Establishment and Management of Rubber Nursery” and the PRRI Resource Person answered the question.

Participants observed the proper treatment of white root rot disease in GARBEMCO rubber plantation

Group photo of the participants during their field visit in GARBEMCO rubber plantation, Brgy. Goodyear, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.


Collection of Corynespora leaf blight diseased samples from GARBEMCO rubber nursery to PRRI Laboratory	Participants were given the chance to properly laboratory diagnose the collected Birds’ eyespot leaf disease samples using microscope


Conidial morphology of fungal pathogen Corynespora cassiicola causing Corynespora Leaf Fall Disease under microscope seen by the participants	Conidial morphology of fungal pathogen Helminthosporium heveae causing Bird’s eyespot disease under microscope seen by the participants

Visit of participants in PPRPC processing plant, Brgy. Lapaz, Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay