ISABELA State University (ISU) has partnered with the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to advance sustainable sugarcane farming in Northern Luzon.
According to ISU, the collaboration with SRA is part of its continued commitment to agricultural innovation and regional development.
To implement the project titled “Rapid Propagation and Distribution of SRA Sugarcane High-Yielding Varieties in the Mill District,” otherwise known as “Project,” a memorandum of agreement was signed on July 1, 2025.
“The partnership aims to boost sugarcane production in the region by propagating and distributing high-yielding varieties, specifically to support smallholder farmers,” ISU said.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the project forms part of the agency’s Varietal Improvement Program under the Sugar Industry Development Act Fund.
Azcona took the lead in sealing the partnership, along with Rose Mandac, Science Research Specialist, and ISU Director for Research and Development Jeoffrey Lloyd Bareng, who served as project and institutional representatives.
Azcona was represented by Orlando Balderama, ISU vice president for Research and Development, Extension and Training, and ISU University President Boyet Batang.
ISU noted that by and large, the initiative marks the commitment of both parties to “modernize sugarcane farming and improve farmer productivity through research-based agricultural practices.”
“With this cooperation, strong research foundation and strategic linkages, ISU empowers its community partners and helps transform the region into a model for science-based, resilient and farmer-centered growth,” the university stated.
