Project on Peanut Seed Security Improves Production
There’s more to the humble peanut than you think. Aside from being a tasty snack, peanuts are highly nutritious.
A 100-g serving of peanuts contains 585 cal of unsaturated or “good fat”. Pound for pound, it contains more protein than eggs, dairy products, fish, and some meat cuts. Peanuts also contribute to several aspects of our Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for vitamins and minerals. Finally, it has dietary fiber that can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
Moreover, peanut plants can also improve soil fertility by fixing the nitrogen from the air. Since the plants contain high amounts of protein, they are ideal feeds for farm animals.
Ensuring peanut seed security With these benefits, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) launched the Integrated Peanut R&D Program for Region 2.
The program is currently implementing a project titled “Peanut Seed Security Support Program in Region 2″. The project focuses on crop improvement and creating a seed support system.
With this project, better crops can be created by improving and adapting peanut varieties; investing on confectionary peanut production technologies; and developing technologies for wet season farming.
For instance, the national average peanut yield is 1,000 kg/ha. With the Asha variety, the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) in Jones, Isabela produced 2,825 kg/ha in August–December 2007 and 3,080 kg/ha in January–July 2008. Likewise, the farm in Echague, Isabela produced 2,339 kg/ha from December 2007 to May 2008.
Meanwhile, certified seeds will be developed in a formal seed support system. Informal seed support systems will also be created through proper seed saving and distribution.
Other support systems include farm mechanization, product processing and safety, and enterprise development.
The project is currently implemented in STBFs in the towns of Jones, Echague, Benito Soliven, and Lallo in Isabela. Future farms will also be established in Isabela towns Enrile and Gamu.
By Christian Anthony T. Cangao, S&T Media Service