The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), through the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), conducted a benchmarking activity from August 3 to 7, 2026, to gather technical inputs for the planned establishment of a Vetiver Center for Urban Flood Mitigation under PROJECT VetiVERde.
The CBSUA delegation visited RnM Garden in San Pablo City, Laguna, and the Department of Science and TechnologyโPhilippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) in Taguig City to learn about vetiver propagation, erosion control applications, natural fiber processing, and material testing.
At RnM Garden, the delegation observed nursery operations and field applications of vetiver for erosion control and slope stabilization. The team also learned about planting techniques, spacing, contour alignment, propagation, and the processing of vetiver into erosion-control mats and riverbank stabilization rolls.
During their visit to DOST-PTRI, the delegation examined equipment and testing procedures used in processing natural plant fibers into geotextiles. Discussions covered material testing, including tensile strength, water permeability, and degradation, which may provide reference points for the development and testing of vetiver-based products.
Insights gained from the benchmarking activity will provide technical input for the establishment and operation of the planned Vetiver Center, including the possible adaptation of propagation and processing practices to local conditions.
Possible areas of collaboration with RnM Garden and DOST-PTRI were likewise explored, particularly in technical assistance, training, and product testing.
Participating in the five-day benchmarking activity were Dr. Melchora V. Abonal, Francia Niรฑa B. Bergonio, Abigail V. Guinoo, Karlos Miguel Haber, Eloisa Joycee S. Igno, Diana Jane Barretto-Almonte, Mc Wilson O. Decena, Ryan C. Albaniel, Marvin R. Molin, and Rochell R. Petil. | ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ๐ด ๐ง๐ณ๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐บ๐ณ๐ช๐ญ ๐๐ข๐บ๐ฆ ๐๐ถ๐ญ๐ญ๐ข๐ด, ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ญ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ด
