Viewed live by more than 650 people, four webinars were conducted via Facebook live on 24-27 August 2021 in celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR).
Topics included product costing and marketing, innovative chevon-based products, soil-less herb garden for the kitchen, and aquaponics for urban households.
Michael Caballes, Bukid Amara chief farmer and owner; Kathlene Claire Ganareal, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) science research specialist; Jesse Descalsota, University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding researcher; and Marx Perfecto Garcia, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources senior aquaculturist, served as resource speakers.
Caballes shared the following concepts: marketing, product costing, and marketing strategies for agricultural products. He emphasized that marketing is all about putting the right product in the right place, at the right price, and at the right time.
He said, “Ang pagsasaka ay negosyo. So dapat ang trato natin sa pagtatanim ay negosyo. Dapat maka-develop tayo ng business plan na hindi tayo gumagaya sa iba. Dapat may sarili tayong value proposition.”
Ganareal talked about the instant chevon-based products developed by CLSU and funded by DA-BAR. Registered under the trademark, K-zser, these products include: papaitan, kapukan, tapa, and bakkwa. Their research showed that these products are highly acceptable by the consumers.
Considered financially viable, this value-adding technology is ready for transfer and adoption. She explained that there are three modes of commercialization available: complete sell-out, joint venture, and technology licensing.
Descalsota discussed how to grow herbs without soil for your kitchen. Producing your own herbs at home ensures that you have a fresh and abundant source.
From the Latin word that means “working with water,” hydroponics uses nutrient solution as well as promotes rapid growth of plant, higher yield, and superior quality. He also shared the different types of hydroponics systems such as wick system, water culture, ebb and flow, drip, nutrient film technique, and aeroponics system.
Garcia introduced aquaponics to the viewers or the combination of rearing fish in a closed environment alongside soil-less planting. He also discussed the various types and designs such as the nutrient film type, substrate-based or media-based technique, floating raft or deep water culture, and hybrid. Operation and management of the aquaponics system were also discussed.
The webinar series is part of the bureau’s regular activities to disseminate and promote research-based agriculture and fishery technologies as well as other relevant information.