Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in Iba, Zambales receives financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) during the RMTU Centennial Celebration on February 12, 2010. In photo are (from left): former DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., BAR Assistant Director Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy, CHED Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles, RMTU Centennial President Dr. Feliciano S. Rosete and RMTU VP for Research and Extension, Dr. Elizabeth Farin.

Ramon Magsaysay Technological University (RMTU) in Iba, Zambales, a leading agricultural and technological school in Central Luzon, is committed to boost the mango industry in Central Luzon thru funding assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DAR-BAR). One of the projects was given an initial grant of half million pesos during the RMTU Centennial Celebration last February 12.

According to RMTU President Dr. Feliciano S. Rosete, the grant represents a partial release of fund allocated by DA-BAR for the project “Commercialization of Quality Mango Fruits in Central Luzon Through the Promotion of Appropriate Production and Post-Harvest Technologies.”

The project aims increase the income of mango growers in Central Luzon by enhancing their capability to implement appropriate production and post-harvest technologies. Technology demonstration farms would be established in selected pilot sites in the region. The project would also train mango entrepreneurs on mango flower induction technologies.

In 2008, the DA-BAR released Php 1.0 Million to commercialize RMTU’s Mango Wine. Last March, a village-level mango processing center was established thru BAR’s grant of Php 700,000.00.

Rosete said that RMTU won the “2008 Regional Best Research Paper Award” in agriculture among 26 CLARRDEC member agencies because of the Php 5.0 Million research grant from DOST-PCARRD. In 2009, RMTU also won the “Regional Best Research Paper Award” in energy/environmental research among 19 CLIERRDEC member agencies.