In a policy research conducted by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Public Affairs and Development (UPLB-CPAf), DA-BAR-supported Tissue Culture Laboratories (TCL) and Processing Facilities in 38 selected provinces across the country delivered significant positive impacts to researchers and farmer cooperatives and associations—underscoring the role of facilities in advancing agricultural research and improving competitiveness of farmers and fisherfolk.
In a roundtable discussion conducted on December 10, 2025 in Quezon City, the Community Innovations Studies Center project team, UPLB-CPAf’s project implementing unit, presented the findings of the study to DA-BAR and Research Facility Development Grant (RFDG) project implementers from DA regional field offices and academic research institutions.
The assessment focused on key performance indicators, including project implementation performance, operational efficiency and productivity, and the sustainability of operations of the bureau’s supported facility establishment and upgrading projects under RFDG Research for Development (R4D) program.
As indicated, facilities are able to sustain operations, maintain functional equipment, and deliver continuous services to its intended clientele and beneficiaries through strong institutional support, trained personnel, and established laboratory and processing systems.
The results highlighted how TCL address the increasing need of farmers for disease-free, genetically uniform, and high-quality planting materials. Moreover, these facilities help in conserving endangered plant varieties while developing new crop varieties. Meanwhile, processing facilities serve as an avenue in developing innovative value-added products, reduce post-harvest losses, extend product shelf-life, and improve product quality and safety.
Dr. Agustin Arcenas, UPLB professor and policy research project leader, highlighted: “Key informants signified that there was really an increase to their production and improvement to their product quality resulting from the facility upgrading projects.”
“These results suggest that continued investment in capacity building, operations, and research for development (R4D) can further strengthen their performance and overall contribution to agricultural development,” he added.
“Our goal is to understand how well the DA-BAR funding program supported the establishment, operation, and long-term sustainability of these laboratories, and how these facilities ultimately contribute to farmers and the agriculture sector.” Dr. Arcenas said.
Findings will help the bureau, as the DA’s research coordinating arm and funding agency, strengthen and streamline its RFDG R4D program for better effectiveness. It also offered key insights and recommendations in intensifying the program's overall success in boosting agricultural research innovation, and competitiveness of farmers and fisherfolk.
Kris Thea Marie Hernandez, head of the bureau’s Impact Evaluation and Policy Section, stressed the bureau’s commitment in intensifying its R4D programs: “We want to be both efficient and effective in managing this program, in assisting our farmers, in really helping our farmers.”