THE CATANDUANES State University kicked off its Abaca and Bambusteum projects as part of its development program in the sector of agriculture.

CatSU said it has tied up with the Philippine Genome Center and the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Plant Breeding to help boost the abaca industry in the province.

CatSU President Dr. Patrick Azanza said the two institutions will help the university with studying the DNA of the abaca species to make a new resilient species.

“We want to further study the DNA of abaca species endemic to the island…and see how we could develop a more resilient species against bunchy top and other abaca diseases without affecting the quality of the fiber,” Azanza said.

It added the tie-up is part of the vision of making Catanduanes the abaca capital of the world.

The university also started its Bambusetum project or more commonly known as giant bamboos to harness its benefits in landscapes.