Bamboo

Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood. It can be harvested in 3-5 years versus 10-20 for most softwood. It can out yield pine 6 to 1 in biomass production. It is also one of the strongest building materials with a tensile strength of 28,000 psi. Bamboo can also be eaten (new shoots), made into fiber for clothing, it can be used in concrete reinforcement, can provide great livestock feed with the foliage being up to 22% protein.

With the presence of bamboo plantations in the region, the consortium spearheaded the technology promotion and commercialization of bamboo, production of raw materials, and product processing.

White corn

Corn is a chief agriculture product after rice.  It is a short term crop that can be harvested more than two months after planting ready for human consumption.  It is one of the major crops planted in the Ilocos Region. It has many uses like food for human, feeds for livestock and a very important raw material in cornick production. To boost the corn industry, researchers in Region 1 continuously evaluates new varieties, improved production strategies, and marketing system

FRUITS (Mango & Banana)

Mango is the one of the top export commodities of the region and it is the number one top producer in the country. ILARRDEC through its member agencies is looking into researchable areas that could increase the production of mangoes for higher level efficiency as well as product quality, and lowering of the production cost and inputs. ILARRDEC also focuses on the vigorous technology transfer and commercialization, demonstration for the technical feasibility and viability of adopting available mango technologies, and improved technologies on production.

Goat

Region 1 is top producer of goat nationwide. The demand for chevon is relatively high and is projected to increase in the coming years. Existence of Goat Development Programs in the region could enhance the production of better and healthier stocks of goat.

Environmental Science (water resources)

Water is facing serious threats. Scarcity, degradation, depletion, wastage and mismanagement describe the conditions of our country’s water resources today. Development and promotion of water conservation and efficient use of the scarce water resource is also one of the thrusts of the consortium. Water is one of the important inputs in agriculture and is becoming scarce today. Proper utilization and restoring the water resources in agricultural farms in Ilocos region is vital.                                                           

Root crops

Roots crops such as ube, kamangeg, and tugui are among the indigenous root crops that have high potential in the market and grow in Ilocos region. To further improve these crops, the consortium focuses on its varietal selection, planting material production and technology promotion and commercialization.

Organically Grown Vegetables