| The
capability of the Philippines in attaining self-sufficiency
in agriculture is very bright if only the researches in
modern farming technology which are mostly sleeping in
universities' laboratories and government agencies' office
could reach the end-users' which are the farmers.
Most
farmers are less receptive to change because of their "To
see is to believe" attitude. This primarily was the reason
why Bernardo O. Dizon,
agriculturist-pomologist and former extension worker of the
government in the countryside, established the U.P. Bliss
Economic Garden a fruit research and demonstration center
for imported fruits like oranges, pomelos, durian, lychees,
rambutan and grape.
During the early years of its existence, Dizon's
efforts were being laughed off by his critics who
erroneously believed that non-traditional fruit trees will
not grow, much less bear fruit here, especially in Quezon
City.
It was ironic, he recounts that the foreigners were the
ones who encouraged him the most to continue with his
researches in plant propagation and fruit production. In
time, so many breakthroughs were achieved by Dizon, who in
turn shared them with his countrymen.
Now, the U.P. Bliss Economic Garden is not just a
research and demonstration center alone, it is, too, a place
for technology and plant exchange center where foreign
plants as well as technology are being brought in by
foreigners, balikbayans and ordinary citizens. Dizon took on
the work from there by various experimentations on the
technology - transfer and propagating the new varieties for
mass production.
Now, the U.P. Bliss Economic Garden is very rich in
various plant collections coming from all over world, not to
mention the enormous technology which Dizon is sharing with
his countrymen. |
