National Scientist Barba, who boosted mango yield, 82

MANILA, Philippines — National Scientist Ramon Barba, known for his pioneering work that led to the year-round availability of mangoes, passed away on Sunday at the age of 82.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) paid homage to Barba, who was conferred the Order of National Scientist in 2014.

Barba was known for his achievements in the field of plant physiology, focusing on the induction of flowering of mangoes, and on micropropagation of important crop species.

His work resulted in the change from seasonal supply of fresh fruits to year-round availability of abundant fresh mangoes, key to the development of the mango export and processing industries in the country.

His discovery of the plant growth enhancer FLUSH guaranteed regular or controlled flowering of mango trees in Cebu and Guimaras to assure continuous fruit bearing of mangoes throughout the year.

While the mango induction technology was patented in the Philippines, USA, England, Australia and New Zealand, Barba did not collect royalties so that ordinary farmers can freely use the technology.

This technology is now used and adopted in many mango producing countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Aside from his work on mangoes, his work on plant micropropagation also led to major changes in the production schemes of other important crops, including banana, sugar cane, white potato and 40 other species of ornamental, fruit and plantation crops.

Barba completed his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at the University of the Philippines College of Agriculture in 1958 and pursued graduate studies at the University of Georgia and University of Hawaii.

He held several teaching and consultancy positions in different universities and private institutions.

Barba’s awards include the Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines for Agriculture by the Philippine Jaycees (1974), Rizal Pro Patria Presidential Award for Tissue Culture (1980), the Most Distinguished Alumni Award, University of the Philippines (2004), and the SEARCA-Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award in Agricultural Development (2011), among others.