The Philippines is a tiny country. To realize this, just look
at the map of the world. Not only is the country very small, but it is also
situated in a spot of the globe vulnerable to natural disaster caused by
disturbances in the surrounding oceans. We are familiar with the 20 or so
typhoons that hit parts of the country every year. No less threatening are the
disturbances due to movements of lithospheric plates beneath the land that could
occur anytime–volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, storm surges, etc. And
to top it all, here comes climate change, the causes of which, cannot be
attributed to us, but nevertheless victimize us.
So with all these, the more we should treasure our land
environment and the resources in it, using them for our benefit in a sustainable
manner. The agricultural colleges and universities are especially called upon to
play important roles in the studies needed to determine the potentials of many
little known biological resources on land. The results of these studies should
lead to development.
I am happy to note that the agricultural institutions and
agencies in Region 6 (Western Visayas) are leading in the research and
development of certain little known species of plants for human benefit.
Examples of these species include the camansi (Artocarpus camansi), the seeds of
which, can be a source of flour for cookies; the plant called banban in Ilonggo
(Donax cannaeformis), which has a variety of uses such as articles for the
tourist trade; and the fern locally called "nito", which is woven into baskets
and other materials that are exported abroad.
There are a number of plant species in our forests that need
to be studied for their potentials as agricultural root crops. During World War
II, these species saved people from starvation. Some wild fruit trees grow in
our forests but they have not been studied for their potential for orchards.
There are small trees growing in secondary forests that produce white fibers for
rope making. I used to harvest a couple of these species to make ropes in the
1940s. I am sure many examples of useful species of forest trees exist in our
forests today.
Our agricultural colleges, which have few students to teach these days,
should consider going into research on useful species of plants. The PCARRD of
the Department of Science and Technology is the agency that can provide
assistance to researchers in this area of inquiry.
