The project will be implemented for two years across the regions of Ilocos, Western Visayas, Davao, Zamboanga Peninsula, and SOCCSKSARGEN.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), it has funded an research and development project that will develop a rapid, non-destructive diagnostic method for detecting heavy metals and trace elements in various high-value agricultural crops.
These included the likes of cacao, coffee, corn, cabbage, lettuce, coconut, mango, and banana, which are being grown and harvested in various parts of the country, either or both for local consumption and international export—emphasizing the need for these crops to meet national and global standards
“This recently launched innovation will work towards validation of food quality for high-value agricultural crops, employing nuclear-allied techniques to develop a portable diagnostic method for Filipino farmers,” noted the department.
The project, which is entitled “Development and Application of Rapid, Non-destructive Heavy Metal and Trace Element Detection Techniques in Plant Materials,” is implemented by the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and monitored by DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).
According to DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. in a statement, “Increasing crop productivity in our country should ultimately contribute to better human health, not compromise it.“
“Heavy metal contamination remains a reality in many agricultural lands, and addressing this challenge requires science-based interventions developed through rigorous research by our institutions,” he added.
Heavy metals and trace elements can be found in crops from agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and amendments.
They can also be linked to industrial activities in the area, metal equipment used in processing, and even transport and storage conditions.
The possible heavy metals that can be found in these crops include cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), which when consumed consistently in amounts that are not safe for human consumption.
According to the DOST, these elements can potentially cause illnesses, such as cancer, issues in the cardiovascular or neurological systems, and kidney problems, among others.
“This project will help improve the quality of our produce while equipping our farmers with a cost-effective method for detecting heavy metals,” stressed Solidum.
To formally commence the project, an inception meeting was last January to discuss the Grants-in-Aid program guidelines and address important technical, financial, and administrative matters to ensure smooth project implementation.
To address the problems of heavy metal and trace elements in high-value crops, the project needs a more affordable, faster, and accessible detection process that can be accessible by farmers and farm owners in the country.
The DOST noted that successful implementation of the project will benefit farmers, cooperatives, and local technicians, who will have a cost-effective and accessible device that can enhance product quality, marketability, and ultimately improve agricultural livelihoods.
Additionally, the study is looking to generate a calibration database that can support accurate detection and analysis of heavy metals and trace elements, guide policy recommendations on food safety regulations, and aid decision-making process for bioremediation operations.
On a wider scale, it is expected to strengthen the Philippine agricultural sector by enhancing both local and global competitiveness of high-value crops while contributing to the protection of public health through improved food safety, quality control, and regulation