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NEWS & EVENTS

May 18, 2023

Seminar on enhancing the value of Philippine sardines reveals opportunities for industry growth

To enhance the market value of Philippine sardines, University of the Philippines Visayas-College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences dean and professor Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap spearheaded an insightful discussion during DA-BAR’s monthly webinar on 18 May 2023 through Cisco Webex and Facebook Live.During the webinar, Yap highlighted a value chain map specifically designed for Philippine sardines, encompassing four widely consumed species, namely Sardinella lemuru (formerly known as Sardinella longiceps), Sardinella gibbosa, Sardinella fimbriata, and Amblygaster sirm. These sardines are sourced from both commercial and municipal fisheries, with the prominent commercial species being Bali sardines (Sardinella lemuru) and fimbriated sardines (Sardinella fimbriata).According to her, sardines make up a substantial portion of the commercial fisheries industry at 27%, with an additional 13% contribution at the municipal level. Furthermore, sardines play a vital role in the Philippine food industry as they are produced in various forms such as canned, dried, and fermented sardine products.“Because of the significant contribution of the fisheries sector, there is really a need for us to valorize or enhance the value of Philippines sardines,” Yap said.To enhance the value of sardines, Yap emphasized the importance of optimizing their value as a food resource through methods such as cold storage, improved processing techniques, and enhanced packaging. Furthermore, she highlighted the potential of maximizing sardines as a material resource, not only as a direct human food source, but also by utilizing them for non-food purposes such as fertilizers, fish oil, animal feeds, and through the extraction of bioactive substances. Yap also mentioned the possibility of harnessing sardines as an energy resource by utilizing them for biogas and electricity production through anaerobic digestion.She also shed light on the underlying issues within the sardine industry such as food losses, limited market access, non-standardized processes, and improper waste management practices. She revealed that some processors and fishers dispose of non-utilized parts of sardines into the sea, resulting in water quality degradation.To address these challenges, Yap’s project in collaboration with DA-BAR introduced an intervention framework encompassing three measures: formulation of recommended policies and guidelines, improvement of existing technologies, and intensification of directed or focused capability-building mechanisms. The framework aims to bring about positive outcomes that will improve the performance of the Philippine sardine industry.Towards the conclusion of her presentation, Yap shared details about the US FDA Food Safety Modernization Act which will be in full implementation in January 2026. This particular act is designed to safeguard the safety of consumers and the long term sustainability of sardines and other fish and food commodities. It mandates that exporters of products must provide appropriate documentation of traceability, from raw materials up to the distribution channels.“This is a sort of warning to everybody, that we have to gear up our Philippine sardine industry against this impending trade restriction,” she said. Given the Philippines’ significant role as an exporter of sardines to the United States, adherence to this rule would not only enhance the reputation of Philippine sardines but also provide a consistent and stable income for those engaged in the local sardine industry.

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May 25, 2023

Go Negosyo trains DA-BAR-TBI project implementers

To capacitate agripreneurs on financial management and business plan development, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), tapped Go Negosyo to conduct a two-day workshop, titled Capacity Building Workshop for Agripreneurship under the BAR Agri-Fishery Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) Program, on 24-25 May 2023 in Diliman, Quezon City. This is in line with the agreements during the ATBI validation workshop and proposal writeshop held on 6-10 February 2023, wherein conducting capability-building activities for proponents was identified to bridge one of the gaps of the bureau’s ATBI program implementation. “Take advantage of the time and opportunity you have to converse with our experts. Ask questions, seek clarifications, throw in ideas, and raise suggestions, all towards expanding your familiarity and knowledge in the area of R4D that you participate in. As leaders of your respective groups, you hold the responsibility to deliver the learnings you gained to your fellow incubatees and ensure that these will translate into sustainable actions through which your program will prosper,” said DA-BAR director Dr. Junel Soriano, in his welcoming remarks.Meanwhile, Go Negosyo senior adviser Dr. William Dar said, “We need to incubate and nurture the incubatees, those with heart and mind, to make a win-win proposition in this country. We want to focus the attention on the joint efforts of Go Negosyo and DA-BAR with other partners to bring in agribusiness. We should do a win-win proposition. The reason behind this partnership is because we wanted the agripreneurship to be technology-based.”Attended by DA-BAR staff and Agricultural Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) project implementers from DA regional offices in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Cordillera Administrative Region, the workshop consisted of lectures on Business Model Canvas, Accounting and Financial Management, and Business Plan Development. These topics were discussed by Go Negosyo mentors, Polytechnic University of the Philippines senior lecturer Bienvenido Nito, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation Graduate School professor Dr. Deborah Castillo, and Rizal Technology University professor Leslie Ann Cara, respectively.The lecture was followed by the workshop proper where participants were grouped to create their business plan. The outputs were presented through business pitching. The mentors gave their comments and recommendations to further guide the participants in improving their outputs. Lastly, attendees were given the opportunity to share their insights on the workshop.“Na-appreciate ko 'yong ginawa ng DA-BAR kasi na-encourage at na-improve [ang] aming kakayanan para matulungan din ang aming mga incubatees,” said North Cotabato TBI manager Jeisa Durana during the testimonial sharing.

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May 29, 2023

Empowering the community in Gumaca, Quezon through native pig farming

In Gumaca, Quezon, an inspiring figure named Jennifer D. Argel has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the world of native pig farming. Her remarkable journey began three years ago when she was selected as a beneficiary of a pioneering project funded by DA-BAR. Since then, her unwavering determination and tireless efforts have transformed a modest pair of pigs into a flourishing enterprise.Before her foray into pig farming, she served as leader of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program group in her barangay. Recognizing her exceptional leadership skills and unwavering resolve, she was urged to participate in the DA-BAR-funded project focused on native pig farming. Despite her limited knowledge of the industry, Argel viewed this opportunity as a gateway to a brighter future for her family and community.In June 2020, she received a pair of native pigs through the DA-BAR project. Fueled by a profound sense of responsibility, she dedicated herself to their care, providing them with optimal nutrition, comfortable shelter, and meticulous veterinary attention. Her hard work bore fruit as the pair of pigs multiplied, eventually giving birth to an astounding total of 48 piglets over the course of three years.The growth of her native pig farm not only brought personal fulfillment but also financial stability. Through the sale of her pigs, she managed to generate a remarkable income of PhP 50,000. This newfound prosperity allowed her to enhance her family’s quality of life and reinvest in her farm. With the earnings, she was able to construct a sturdy concrete cage, ensuring a safer and more conducive environment for her cherished pigs.Argel’s ambition knows no bounds as she eyes on expanding her herd even further. She ardently believes that her success story can serve as a guiding light for aspiring farmers, encouraging them to embrace sustainable and profitable pig farming practices.Her remarkable journey from a 4Ps leader to a native pig farmer has become a testament to her resilience, unwavering passion, and the transformative power of agricultural projects.As she continues to forge a path of sustainable and lucrative pig farming in Gumaca, her story stands as an inspiring beacon of possibility for those who dare to dream of a brighter future in farming. 

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Feb 20, 2024

Veggie chips as an additional livelihood in Bicol Region

To improve the production and commercialization of vegetables, transforming local vegetables into veggie chips for the market is a viable approach. A research for development (R4D) technology was introduced to the community of Camarines Norte through the project implemented  by DA-Bicol Region titled, “Market Assessment and Refinement of Veggie Chips in Camarines Norte”, funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).Project leader Maria Vivian I. Ayo explained that veggie chips are thin, crispy, and healthy snacks made by frying a mixture of vegetable puree, flour, and a few extra ingredients. The project introduced six variants: carrots, tomatoes, squash, malunggay, ampalaya, and okra. These chips retained the natural colors of the vegetables and were packed in sealed pouches of three sizes: 50g, 100g, and 250g. The process included washing, peeling, grating, pureeing or dehydrating, mixing, rolling, cutting, frying, cooling, flavoring, and packing.Women, especially housewives and members of Farmer Cooperatives and Associations (FCAs), were encouraged to grow vegetables and eventually process them into  veggie chips. This not only added to their family income but also helped the economic growth and food security of their families and community. In this project, the FCA named The Helping Hands Community Organization (HHCO) was involved.Established in 2018 with 20 members (13 female and 7 male), HHCO had previously engaged in various livelihood activities like basket weaving and crafting with coconut and pili shells. However, due to low demand during the pandemic, these activities were stopped. Consequently, some HHCO members shifted to producing veggie chips and other food products, drawing from their experience as production staff at Jireh Food Products.The organization's president, who owned the enterprise producing veggie chips, shared her business knowledge with members, aiming to uplift their economic conditions. The group received training on production planning, inventory management, good manufacturing practices, sanitation standard operating procedures, packaging, labeling, and entrepreneurial competency development.HCCO was encouraged to sell veggie chips online for increased sales, and was also urged to improve processing technology, maintain equipment regularly, and consider buying new equipment for better efficiency. This is one of the R4D technologies that DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano reiterated his commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives and fostering further research collaboration and support during site visits on 20-22 February 2024. It is also among the products showcased during the inauguration of DA RFO 5 TechnoMerkado on 20 February 2024.

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May 08, 2023

Tech transfer of Sorjan farming system shows promising result

Recognizing that most of research outputs do not reach intended users, the Visayas State University-Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Business Incubation (VSU-AFTBI) project started a commercialization program of its technologies dubbed as Research to Market or R2M in 2015. As an offshoot of the program, a TBI for food and agriculture was established to transfer the research-based technologies to enterprises and startup businesses to gain profit from an innovative technology. The VSU-AFTBI provided incubation services which helped the incubatees to build their capacity in managing their enterprise or business. The program also conducted consultative meetings with the incubates and provided on-site assessment, field validation and other technical assistance to the incubatees. Interventions, such as the two-day Entrepreneurial Bootcamp and Business Development Seminar Workshop, were conducted to develop the technical skills of the incubatees in running their own enterprises. Additional interventions, such as technical training on tilapia production and high value vegetables, were also implemented to enable incubatees gain and develop technical skills to independently grow and produce the commodities.To maximize farm productivity and ensure sufficient and regular income for farming families, one technology of the VSU-AFTBI for adoption or technology transfer is the Sorjan cropping system in response to climate change. Sorjan, developed by Indonesian farmers, is a system that constructs an alternate of deep sinks and raised beds. The sink with the impounded water can be used also for rice production and other crops like gabi or kangkong or for fish production. These features can adapt to both dry and wet seasons.“Ideally, the dimension of the raised bed is around 4m wide and 30cm above water level. The bund or embankment around the area is about 70-100cm wide and 30cm high. The sink for growing rice or gabi or kangkong is 4m wide and 30cm deep, while a deeper sink of about 1m wide and 1-1.5m deep can be constructed around the area for fish production,” said project leader Dr. Alan B. Loreto.                                                 William A. Cruz, 24-year-old incubatee, rents an area of 18m by 26m of the VSU Sorjan farm which he planted with various vegetables like upland kangkong, chili pepper, lettuce, pechay, eggplant, okra, bell pepper, Malabar spinach, tomatoes. He also planted papaya along the bunds and cultured tilapia in the deeper sink. Later on, he also adopted the Sorjan farming system in his 6,000sqm farm in Ichon, Macrohon, Southern Leyte.“We already earned PhP 30,000 from the vegetables which we harvest weekly or every other day, especially the kangkong and okra. We have also harvested 1,667kg tilapia amounting to PhP 200,000,” Cruz proudly said. The incubatee directly sold his fresh farm produce to nearby eateries, local communities around the project site, and at the KADIWA center in LGU-Baybay City, Leyte.Nurturing startups in the early stages of existence increases its chance to survive and eventually, make it on its own. The TBI is an effective modality of increasing the survival of technology-based startup businesses by enhancing the capacity of incubatees in managing their enterprise through the provision of incubation services and facilitating linkages and partnerships between the incubates and other stakeholders. For more information:Dr. Alan B. LoretoVisayas State UniversityBaybay, Leytealan.loreto@vsu.edu.ph

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Feb 24, 2024

Optimum fertilization strategy for corn, soil health emphasized in Nueva Vizcaya Field Day

Optimum fertilization strategy for corn production in relation to improvement of soil health highlighted the Field Day led by DA-Cagayan Valley and DA-Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) conducted in Bintawan Norte, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya on 20 February 2024.Attended by 78 farmers and representatives from the provincial to barangay local government, the activity was held as part of the project, Use of Optimum Fertilization Strategy to Increase Productivity of Corn in Various Ecosystems in Cagayan Valley, funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) under the Corn Program.Science research technician Melanie B. Lay-o of DA-NVES presented the technology interventions introduced through the project. These are the use of the following: 1) soil analysis as basis for the application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (140-10-0); 2) Carrageenan to promote growth and enhance the yield; 3) organic fertilizers to improve soil structure and balance the soil ecosystem; 4) BioN — microbial based fertilizer — to enhance shoot growth and root development; and 5) biological control agents such as earwig and Beauveria bassiana to manage pests and diseases.Double row planting technology, with planting distance of 80 by 30 centimeters between rows and 20 cm between hills, using a jabber planter was also introduced through the project.Nehemias D. Baysa, farmer cooperator, expressed his gratitude toward DA-Cagayan Valley for the technology interventions introduced which improved the quality of his produce and production, as well as reduced his production cost.While, another farmer cooperator, Mary Joy L. Ortiz, vividly shared her experiences on using the technology interventions and how it compares to the farmer’s practice. She also noted that, “Natutunan ko na ‘yong infestation dapat agapan natin agad. Huwag nang hintayin na lumalala pa ‘yong infestion bago ka gumawa ng intervention— the earlier na maagapan, much better. Natutunan ko rin na ‘yong pag-spray pala ng pesticides para sa fall armyworm kailangan pala early in the morning or late in the afternoon para ‘yong mga uod nandoon talaga sa mga dahon.”Ortiz added, “Salamat sa mga kaalaman, sa mga experience na aming natutunan. Bilang farmer, magagamit ko po ‘yon para lalong mapabuti ‘yong yield. ‘Yong project na ito napakaganda, talagang effective ‘yong technology na ginamit.”Lay-o further explained how the use of synthetic fertilizers degrade the soil health, which in the long run would require farmers to use more fertilizer to replenish the depleted nutrients — hence, entailing additional production cost. She emphasized the importance of using optimum fertilization strategy to improve productivity and yield and at the same time to ensure that the soil remains healthy and viable for a long time.“Isa sa mga importante ring bigyan natin ng pansin ay ‘yong lupa. Isa rin sa mga tinututukan ng proyektong ito ang paggamit ng tamang dami at tamang klase ng pag-aabono. Sana po ay naaalagaan din ang lupa…Kung panay kemikal ang nandyan, kung ‘yon at ‘yon ang nilalagay natin, darating ‘yong panahon na imbis na ma-reach niya ‘yong potential na yield nito ay bumababa na ito,” stressed DA-BAR Cagayan Valley regional coordinator Juan Nikolas A. Paller.Paller also encouraged the farmers to keep an open mind in adopting new technologies that would be beneficial for their farms.Meanwhile, senior science research specialist Edita F. Sunio of DA-Cagayan Valley-Research Division encouraged the corn farmers to continue using the technology interventions introduced even after the project has completed and assistance and free inputs are no longer given.“The hard work that we do today, haan met nga ti gobyerno tayo ti ag benefit. This is only one among the many accomplishments of [DA]. And of course, haan nga ag benefit iti LGU. Ngamin haan met dakami ti kumita, no di ket siyako ti kumita. It is you and your family, and most especially the children, isu ti mangtawid ti hard work nga araramiden yo tatta,” reminded Villaverde mayor Ronelie U. Valtoribio as relayed by his secretary Dawn Ranee V. Algura.(It is not the government who will benefit from the hard work that we do today. This is only one among the many accomplishments of DA. The LGU will not also benefit from it as it is you who are earning from it. You and your family will be the ones who will continue whatever has been started through this project.)Representatives from various partner agencies — Agricultural Training Institute, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation, Agricultural Credit Policy Council, DA-Cagayan Valley-Regional Crop Protection Center — also presented the various services that corn farmers can avail of. They reminded the farmers to register to the Registry System for the Basic Sectors in Agriculture and be part of a farmers cooperative or association to ensure that they will be able to avail of services provided by DA.