Ilocos Norte: Several farmers' organizations in Ilocos Norte have partnered with the research and extension directorates of the Mariano Marcos State University and the provincial government to produce off-season tomato varieties this wet season.

According to Philippines News Agency, each of the 18 farmers' groups from this city and the municipalities of Currimao, Marcos, Sarrat, Bacarra, Burgos, Pasuquin, and Vintar have allotted at least 500 square meters as demonstration farms. This effort aims to ensure a stable tomato supply during the lean months and allow farmers to gain more profit.

Engr. Chonito Baldovi, high-value crops development program coordinator of the Provincial Agriculture Office, mentioned in an interview that various agricultural inputs are being provided to assist the farmer-cooperators. These inputs include fungicides, insecticides, bags of complete fertilizers, urea, muriate of potash, and plastic mulch.

To date, the main tomato varieties being adopted by the farmers are MMSU's Hybrid 1 (NSIC Tm10) and Hybrid 3 (NSIC Tm11). NSIC Tm10 matures at 62 days with an average vine length of 137 centimeters at maturity, producing an average yield of 33.95 tons per hectare in the dry season and 27.72 tons per hectare in the wet season. NSIC Tm11, similarly, matures in 62 days with a vine length of 148 centimeters, yielding 45.8 tons per hectare in the dry season and 28.33 tons in the wet season.

Last year, farmers in Sarrat and Vintar who adopted MMSU's tomato off-season technology demonstrated that fresh tomatoes could be available year-round, showcasing the potential success of these initiatives.