A natural fungicide was developed from Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers, a type of shrub which grows in exposed ridges and peaks of high altitude, mossy forests. The developed fungicide is environment friendly, cheap and has locally available ingredients. It can be applied to plants like tomatoes and lettuce to prevent fungal attack.
The project team from Central Mindanao University (CMU) who developed the technology coordinated with the local communities in Bukidnon and other provinces in Region 10 to make them aware of the ecological and economic importance of T. piperita.
To encourage the communities in mass propagating the T. Piperita, wildlings and seeds were collected from the forest and propagated at the nurseries through the participation of the local communities. As part of the dissemination, the project team provided the seedlings to the farmer cooperators for their plantation and to be sold as source of plants for the fungicide production. In doing so, it provided livelihood for the local communities.
