Category: Linkages

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Collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Bio-Inoculants & Bio-Fertilizers

From Left: Mr. Raphael Willard Mosquito, Biotechnology Researcher; Mr. Manuelito Laurenti E. Putong, President of Aetherial Natural Oils Corp (ANOC), Rev. Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, Jr. O.P., Ph.D., S.Th.D., MBA, Professor of Biological Sciences & professor of Sacred Theology, UST Laboratory for Vaccine Science, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Santo Tomas; and Mr. Manuelito R. Putong, Chairman of Crown Agroforestry Group Inc. (CAGI).

“Uniting science, sustainability, and innovation for a greener future.”

The partnership between Crown Agroforestry Group Inc. (CAGI) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) represents a groundbreaking step toward building a more sustainable and science-driven agricultural future. UST — home to one of the Philippines’ most respected research institutions in biology, microbiology, and natural sciences — brings academic rigor and advanced laboratory expertise. Crown Agroforestry Group contributes its industry knowledge, field networks, and commercialization strength. Together, they form a powerful alliance for agricultural biotechnology innovation.

This collaboration focuses on the development, optimization, and field deployment of next-generation bio-inoculants and bio-fertilizers designed to enhance soil health, boost crop resilience, and improve productivity for high-value perfumery and agroforestry crops such as Agarwood, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, and more.

Key Pillars of the Collaboration

1. Joint Research & Laboratory Innovation
UST researchers and Crown scientists co-develop microbial formulations — including nitrogen-fixing, phosphorus-solubilizing, growth-promoting, and plant-defense–enhancing strains.
This synergy accelerates discovery, ensures scientific validity, and strengthens product reliability.

2. Sustainable Bio-Based Solutions for Farmers
The collaboration champions eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fertilizers.
These bio-inoculants:
• Improve nutrient uptake
• Strengthen root development
• Enhance plant immunity
• Reduce dependence on chemical inputs
• Support climate-smart and organic farming systems

3. Technology Transfer & Scale-Up
UST provides the foundational science; Crown Agroforestry Group ensures real-world application, pilot trials, and scalable manufacturing through its plantation networks and partner farms.

4. Capacity Building & Knowledge Exchange
The partnership supports training programs, seminars, internships, and field demonstrations — empowering students, farmers, and industry stakeholders with modern biotechnology skills.

5. Commercialization & Industry Integration
Crown Agroforestry Group leads product development, branding, market distribution, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the innovations reach farmers, cooperatives, plantations, and agribusinesses nationwide.

Shared Vision

Both institutions are united by a mission to advance green biotechnology, support regenerative agriculture, and promote environmentally responsible crop production.

Together, UST and Crown Agroforestry Group strive to create:
✓ Higher-yielding, healthier plantations
✓ Affordable and accessible bio-organic inputs
✓ Reduced environmental impact
✓ Stronger local biotech solutions for global markets

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CvSU and AGAP Sign MOU to Advance Organogenesis Propagation, Agarwood Bio-Inoculant Innovation, and Biofertilizer Development

Dr. Ma. Agnes P. Nuestro, President of Cavite State University (CvSU) and Mr. Manuelito R. Putong, President of Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Incorporated (AGAP) signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Indang, Cavite, Philippines — Cavite State University (CvSU) and the Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Inc. (AGAP) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to initiate a long-term scientific and technological collaboration focused on organogenesis propagation, bio-inoculant development, and biofertilizer research for the growing Philippine agarwood industry.

The partnership brings together CvSU’s strong research expertise in agriculture, biotechnology, and plant sciences with AGAP’s nationwide network of agarwood growers, industry practitioners, and field-based innovation platforms.

This MOU marks a milestone in the country’s movement toward science-based, sustainable, and globally competitive agarwood production.

Strengthening Organogenesis & Mass Propagation of Aquilaria

Under the collaboration, CvSU will lead research efforts to refine and scale organogenesis protocols for Aquilaria malaccensis and other perfumery crops. The research program aims to:

• Improve survivability and rooting efficiency
• Enhance clonal fidelity and genetic stability
• Reduce propagation costs through refined media formulations
• Create mass-production pathways for consistent, high-quality planting materials
• Establish a university-industry model for tissue culture commercialization

“This partnership empowers CvSU to translate academic research into real-world agricultural impact,” said CvSU project leads during the signing ceremony.

Joint Development of Agarwood Bio-Inoculants

CvSU and AGAP will also collaborate on bio-inoculant research aimed at improving sustainable resin induction. The project will explore:

• Fungal and microbial strains beneficial to resin formation
• Biological inoculation pathways and host-pathogen interactions
• Safety, efficacy, and optimized application protocols
• Side-by-side comparisons with chemical and hybrid induction methods
• Field validation through AGAP’s nationwide member farms

AGAP emphasized that this initiative will pave the way for ethical, science-verified, and legally compliant agarwood production across the Philippines.

Biofertilizer Research for High-Value Trees

The partnership further expands into the development of biofertilizers that support the long-term growth, vigor, and environmental resilience of agarwood and related forestry crops. Research areas include:

• Formulation of nutrient-enhancing microbial consortia
• Soil microbiome enhancement strategies
• Climate-smart fertilization systems
• Field trials in diverse agroecological conditions
• Integration into sustainable agroforestry frameworks

These biofertilizers aim to reduce growers’ dependence on chemical inputs while improving yields and ecological outcomes.

A Unified Vision for a Sustainable Agarwood Sector

CvSU and AGAP share a mission to uplift the Philippine agarwood industry by merging academic excellence, scientific integrity, and farmer-level capacity building.

Through this MOU, both institutions commit to:
✓ Advancing national research leadership in perfumery crops
✓ Providing farmers with reliable, science-backed technologies
✓ Supporting regulatory compliance and sustainable practices
✓ Developing future-ready biotech solutions for the forestry and wellness industries
✓ Strengthening the value chain from propagation to production

About Cavite State University (CvSU)

CvSU is a premier agricultural and science university dedicated to research, innovation, and community development across multiple campuses in Cavite.

About AGAP

The Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Inc. (AGAP) is a national organization committed to sustainable agarwood cultivation, training, regulatory compliance, and industry advancement.

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ISAT-U and CAGI Launch Landmark Partnership on Blockchain Traceability and Advanced Agarwood Cultivation

From left: Mr. Manuelito R. Putong, Chairman of Crown Agroforestry Group Inc (CAGI); Dr. Gilbert Stanly Baylosis, Campus Administrator, ISATU- Leon Campus; Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, VicePresident for Research and Extension of ISAT-U; Mr. Norberto S. Joyel, Chairman of Putz Agarwood Farm Corporation (PFAC); and Mr. Manuelito Laurenti E. Putong, President of Aetherial Natural Oils Corp (ANOC).

Iloilo City, Philippines — Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) and Crown Agroforestry Group Inc. (CAGI) have officially entered a landmark collaboration to advance the Philippines’ position in the global agarwood industry through blockchain-enabled digital traceability and science-driven cultivation technologies.

The partnership unites ISAT-U’s expertise in applied science, information technology, and sustainable innovation with CAGI’s leadership in agroforestry development and high-value crop cultivation. Together, they aim to establish the country’s first integrated system that enhances legal compliance, transparency, and scientific accuracy in agarwood production and trade.

A Breakthrough in Digital Traceability

The collaboration includes the development of a Blockchain Digital Traceability System designed to track the full lifecycle of agarwood — from seed source and nursery propagation to inoculation, harvesting, resin grading, and international trade documentation.

This platform will:
• Strengthen CITES compliance and regulatory monitoring
• Build grower credibility and consumer trust
• Combat illegal trading and smuggling
• Streamline export processes through verifiable digital records
• Support global buyers seeking ethically sourced, legally traded agarwood

“This technology sets a new benchmark for transparency in the forestry and perfumery industries,” said Manuelito R. Putong, Chairman of Crown Agroforestry Group Inc (CAGI), highlighting the system’s importance in elevating Philippine agarwood to international standards.

Advancing Science-Based Agarwood Cultivation

In parallel, ISAT-U will support research and development in modern agarwood cultivation, focusing on:
• Biological and artificial inoculation methods
• Soil and nutrient optimization
• Organogenesis and tissue propagation
• Growth performance modeling
• Sustainability-focused agroforestry system design

CAGI will provide plantations, nurseries, and farmer networks for pilot studies, field trials, and technology deployment. The partnership also includes the creation of a Science-Based Agarwood Cultivation Training Program for local growers, cooperatives, and agripreneurs.

“Our goal is to bring the best of science and technology directly to Filipino farmers,” said Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, VicePresident for Research and Extension of ISAT-U. “This partnership will empower communities with the tools needed for sustainable, high-value production.”

A Shared Vision for a Sustainable Industry

ISAT-U and CAGI share a common vision: a transparent, legally compliant, and globally competitive agarwood industry built on innovation, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

The project aims to:
✓ Position the Philippines as a leader in ethical agarwood production
✓ Strengthen national capacity for biotechnology and agroforestry innovation
✓ Create inclusive opportunities for farmers and local enterprises
✓ Promote sustainability in high-value forest commodities
✓ Enhance the country’s export potential through verified digital systems

About ISAT-U

Iloilo Science and Technology University is a premier institution in Western Visayas recognized for excellence in engineering, information technology, and applied research. ISAT-U plays a vital role in advancing scientific innovation and regional development.

About Crown Agroforestry Group Inc. (CAGI)

CAGI is a leading agroforestry enterprise dedicated to sustainable plantation development, high-value tree farming, biotechnology application, and eco-friendly production systems for agarwood and other perfumery crops.

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DLSU Partners with AGAP to Pioneer Agarwood Biochemical Inoculant Development for Aetherial Natural Oils Corp.’s Demo Farm in Cavite

Tanza, Cavite, Philippines — De La Salle University (DLSU), one of the country’s most respected research institutions in chemistry, biology, and biotechnology, has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Inc. (AGAP) to develop advanced biochemical inoculants for the Agarwood Demonstration Farm of Aetherial Natural Oils Corp. (ANOC) located in Tanza, Cavite.

This groundbreaking partnership aims to accelerate scientific innovation in agarwood resin induction, strengthen the Philippines’ agarwood research ecosystem, and elevate the country’s emerging perfumery and botanicals sector.

Cutting-Edge Biochemical Inoculant Development for Agarwood

Under the collaboration, DLSU’s research teams will work closely with AGAP technical experts to formulate, test, and refine next-generation biochemical inoculants designed to stimulate sustainable, efficient, and high-quality resin formation in Aquilaria malaccensis and related species.

The research will focus on:
• Advanced biochemical triggers and enzyme-assisted induction
• Optimized metabolic stimulants for controlled resin biosynthesis
• Comparison of biological, chemical, and hybrid induction pathways
• Safety, efficacy, and environmental impact assessment
• Field performance validation in diverse agroforestry settings

“These innovations will directly support the Philippines’ move toward science-based, globally competitive agarwood production,” said AGAP representatives.

Aetherial Natural Oils Corp. Demo Farm as a Living Research Laboratory

Aetherial Natural Oils Corp. (ANOC), through its Agarwood Demo Farm in Tanza, Cavite, will serve as the official pilot site for field trials, inoculation testing, environmental monitoring, and biochemical performance studies.

The Demo Farm provides:
✓ A controlled plantation environment with varying tree ages and growth conditions
✓ Systematic inoculation testing blocks for comparative research
✓ Long-term monitoring infrastructure for resin development
✓ An educational platform for farmer training, demonstrations, and community outreach

“This collaboration strengthens our mission of developing premium, ethically sourced essential oils while contributing to national biotech research,” said representatives from ANOC.

Strengthening the Philippine Agarwood Industry Through Science

The DLSU–AGAP–ANOC partnership underscores a shared vision for a sustainable, regulated, and scientifically empowered agarwood sector in the Philippines.

Key expected outcomes include:
✓ Scientifically validated inoculant formulations
✓ Improved resin yield and quality for growers
✓ Elevated Philippine competitiveness in the high-value fragrance market
✓ Capacity-building for farmers, cooperatives, and future agripreneurs
✓ Research publications and patents to advance national biotechnology

About DLSU

De La Salle University is a leading institution in research, innovation, and scientific excellence, with high-impact studies in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and bioprocess technologies.

About AGAP

The Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Inc. promotes sustainable agarwood cultivation, farmer training, regulatory compliance, and industry development across the country.

About Aetherial Natural Oils Corp. (ANOC)

ANOC specializes in artisan perfume blends, essential oils, and botanical extracts sourced from sustainably cultivated perfumery crops. Its Agarwood Demo Farm serves as a research, training, and innovation hub.