BALANGA CITY, Bataan — The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), under the Department of Agriculture (DA), granted P2,360,350 in research project funds to the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU).

Reynan P. Calderon, BPSU’s Science research specialist, said that the granting of the said fund to the BPSU is part of the government’s program to upgrade research in agriculture and, among others, improve the state university’s curriculum in enriching agricultural products.

The fund went to the Socio- Economic Analysis of Aerobic Rice Production and Utilization under Calderon; the Feeding Value of Oregano extract, Capsicumfrutescens and Malunggay leaf Meal on Laying Performance of Chicken, under Hermogenes M. Paguia; the Growth and Yield Response of Rice to Different Levels of Organic Fertilizer and Treated Hog Manure Under Aerobic Rice Technology under Jonathan E . Lacayanga; the Utilization and Development of Moringa Oleifera L. as Poultry Feeds under Hermogenes M. Paguia; and the Enhancing Vegetable Production Using Low Cost Hydroponics study under Walter G. Valdez.

BPSU is now the biggest state university in Bataan after it was converted into university through a House Bill sponsored mainly by Bataan 2nd District Rep. Abet S. Garcia.

Under an agreement signed in the presence of BPSU President Delfin O. Magpantay and Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar, representing DA-BAR, the presentation of progress reports of the said projects will be made for the release of the remaining funds.

The said progress report presentations were done last April 14-15, 2010 at BPSU Abucay Campus headed by Ms. Jenette Tamayo and Mr. Patrick Cabrera of DA-BAR. Along with them were evaluators from PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) and BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry). Calderon added that this is the continuing effort of BPSU in helping the agriculture sector attains its objective of food self-sufficiency while addressing the issue of efficiency and climate change. This has been evident in the recently concluded ISMAB (International Symposium on Machinery and Mechatronics for Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering) where Mr. Calderon was also one of the presenters.