latest

NEWS & EVENTS

Feb 19, 2024

Fisherfolk-partners formally adopt bamboo raft technology

Identified fisherfolk-partners on oyster production through modified bamboo floating rafts technology were formally issued with certificates of technology adoption by the local government units of Anda, Bani, Alaminos City, and Sual, Pangasinan.      “It is worth noting that this technology has been sustained in ABBAS and is still being used continuously. Partner-adopters in Alaminos City applied for an assistance program under DOLE and were awarded supplies and materials for the construction of additional 10 units of oyster floating bamboo rafts. ” National Fisheries Research and Development Institute project leader Dr. Christopher Joseph Rayos reported.He furthered that the then farmer-partners, now transformed technology adopters, signified commitment in sustaining the use of the bamboo raft technology. Even their respective LGUs support them through participation in various trade fairs and festivals in their municipalities, providing them opportunities to sell their produce.Compared to the traditional stake method, oyster culture using floating bamboo raft technology is environmentally-friendly. The technology uses bamboo as rafts with plastic drums as floaters. Attached vertically to the raft are plastic straps where oyster spats can attach and grow. It is also a durable and mobile structure which can be transferred to another site when necessary and resilient to withstand typhoons and waves. This method also ensures faster growth and better-quality oyster meat.“Culture period is also shorter in the floating bamboo rafts. With only just about five to six months, oysters can be harvested. The size is bigger because it gets more nutrients from the natural food circulating in the water,” explained Rayos.The project was implemented by the DA-NFRDI in collaboration with the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources- Ilocos Region-National Fisheries Development Center, and funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research.

newsevent

Feb 09, 2023

UPD-MSI develops DNA-based species identification protocol for scallops

Scallops or kabibi in Filipino are considered premium seafood commodities. In the Philippines, scallops are harvested for both export and domestic markets. Scallop fisheries exhibit boom-and-bust cycles, and populations are vulnerable to overharvesting and stock depletion. However, limited information on local scallop fisheries impedes the development of resource management strategies for the high-value multi-species, artisanal fisheries resource. To address the limited information on local scallop fisheries, particularly in the Visayan region, the University of the Philippines Diliman–Marine Science Institute (UPD-MSI), through the support of the DA-Biotech Program, generated additional reference DNA sequences to enable DNA barcoding of scallops, and developed a relatively rapid DNA-based protocol for scallop species identification. Using molecular approaches in identifying species represents a valuable contribution to future initiatives for stock assessment of local scallop populations. The method can also be utilized for the traceability of scallops in the market (ie. half-shelled and without shells), which can be adapted for labeling of exported scallop products in compliance with the product standards and regulations of the international seafood trade. Genetic and genomic information on scallop populations will also aid in the formulation of management schemes, implementation of policies, and development of guidelines for prospective aquaculture initiatives as an adaptive response to increased harvesting pressure. From a total of 400 scallop specimens collected from the Visayan Sea and other representative sites in the Philippines, additional reference barcode DNA sequences were generated and contributed to the growing scallop DNA sequence database available in the public domain via DNA sequence repositories. In order to ensure sustainability, UPD-MSI conducted a training-workshop on scallop species identification using morphological and molecular approaches. The workshop introduced participants to taxonomic identification of scallops, as well as basic principles in DNA barcoding, which will enable them to further explore the adoption of DNA barcoding and DNA-based protocols for species identification for fisheries assessment and resource management.

newsevent

Feb 08, 2023

Bamboo raft technology in Pangasinan yields 480kg of oyster

An initial harvest of 480kg of oyster (𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘱𝘱.) showed promising results of the bamboo raft technology by utilizing floaters, bamboo, and plastic straps in producing oysters. The harvest activity was conducted on 8 February 2023 at Bolinao, Alaminos City, Pangasinan. DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), with funding support from DA-BAR, is currently implementing a project to boost oyster production and fisherfolk’s income in the municipalities of Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Alaminos City, and Sual in Pangasinan. Initially developed and verified by the National Fisheries Development Center of the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources together with Japan International Cooperation Agency, the technology can reduce mortality rate and enable faster growth of oysters; and produce good quality meat.“As compared to the traditional stake method of oyster culture, bamboo raft technology is an effective and environment-friendly alternative method in producing oysters,” DA-NFRDI Aquaculture Research and Development Division chief and project leader Dr. Joseph Christopher C. Rayos said.  Another innovation is the hardening practice that can lead in the control and eradication of fouling organisms resulting in higher or premium quality of oyster yield. By using the technology, oysters can be harvested after a culture period of three to six months.Dr. Rayos, during a discussion, stressed the potential of the technology in strengthening the value chain of oyster; thus, resulting in a steady production that can address demands of potential institutional buyers and investors. During the activity, DA-BAR OIC-assistant director Dr. Anthony B. Obligado underscored the importance of the bureau's continuous support to various research for development projects and initiatives toward addressing challenges in food sufficiency and increasing fisherfolk’s profit.Meanwhile, DA-NFRDI executive director Dr. Lilian C. Garcia thanked the local government units of Pangasinan and other government agencies for putting up collaborative efforts in the project toward augmenting the income of fisherfolk.Also present during the activity were DA-BAR Research Coordination Division head Julia A. Lapitan, DA-BFAR-Ilocos Region regional director Rosario Segundina P. Gaerlan, representatives from the local government unit of Bolinao, and fisherfolk associations. 

newsevent

Feb 09, 2023

DA, Nestlé Philippines, Inc. to revitalize Robusta coffee in Mindanao

The DA-High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) and DA-Davao Region, in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, Inc., held a workshop to finalize the Mindanao Coffee Project anchored on the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap 2021-2025.Focusing on the top coffee-producing areas in Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and SOCCSKSARGEN, the project aims to increase the yield and income of coffee farmers in the target regions in Mindanao.Further, this will upskill the farmer beneficiaries in coffee production and enable them to produce quality coffee beans that are at par with the standards of Nestlé.Arthur Baria, representative from Nestlé Philippines, in his message, highlighted the mission of Nescafe to help coffee farmers improve the quantity and quality of their coffee yield in a manner that is sustainable and profitable to both farmers and Nestlé. He mentioned that there is a need to increase coffee yield and enhance production management in the Philippines. In order to solve this problem, he emphasized the importance of regenerative agriculture, genetic diversification, production technology, and research in coffee production.Representatives from Nestlé Philippines and DA-HVCDP presented the Philippine Coffee Industry Roadmap from 2021-2025. The roadmap visualizes to boost the local coffee production and enable the country to go beyond the 15% sufficiency level while providing a defined path to  equip farmers with knowledge and skills that would increase their production and income.The development of the roadmap will also provide an established database containing information such as volume of production and current buying prices that may be accessed by partners. Meanwhile, representatives from DA-regional offices in Mindanao also presented their respective coffee R4D plans and projects for 2023-2024.DA-Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Center OIC-regional technical director for Research and Regulation Cora A. Dumayaca underscored that the Mindanao Coffee Project has a potential to increase the robusta coffee production in Mindanao in the coming years.In relation to this, the University of Southern Mindanao is now working on a proposal to evaluate cost-effective fertilization options for enhanced productivity of robusta coffee in Mindanao. Officials and representatives from Nestlé, DA-High Value Crops Development Program, different DA regional field offices in Mindanao, and the University of Southern Mindanao participated in the workshop. Alvin L. Fontanil of DA-BAR-Research Program Development Division led the bureau’s delegation. DA-BAR will provide support in the R4D component of the Mindanao coffee project.

newsevent

Feb 06, 2023

DA-BAR gears up to a more impact-driven pathway

“The BAR is now in pursuit of raising the BAR of excellence to a more impact-driven pathway,” said DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales in his presentation during the DA-BAR 2023 management committee meeting on 6 February 2023 at 4F, DA-BAR Conference Hall, Quezon City.“The thrust is changing, we are doing more cascading, the modality [now] is towards a more equitable allocation of investment in areas with high poverty incidence (in the country),” he added.Pivoting toward strengthened research for development agenda, institutionalizing R4D programs that best fit the current needs, and challenges of the AF sector and its R4DE system, DA-BAR will prioritize projects that focus on scaling ready and mature agricultural technologies through Community-based R4DE Program for Farm Productivity and Sustainability (CPAR) and Agricultural Technology Business Incubators (ATBI) toward ease of adoption and commercialization.CPAR will focus on the deployment of best practices and upscaling of mature, market-driven, and demand-driven technologies in soil, water, nutrient, crop management, and product processing to enhance productivity and expand market opportunities for selected agriculture and fisheries products.Whereas the ATBI will focus on increasing the capacities of research-based business incubators in managing agri-fisheries technology-based enterprises.For the renewed modalities, DA-BAR will be directly engaging target communities, along with research for development stakeholders in the locality, following a more functional and spatial planning and whole-of-the-nation approach. The meeting, which is composed of DA-BAR’s top officials and concerned staff, also discussed the R4DE agenda, programs, and activities; recent directives and pressing concerns of the DA; administrative and financial concerns, and human resources management.“Hopefully, by 2024, we will be able to implement a more equitable, inclusive, and participatory R4DE program management,” said OIC-director Lales. 

newsevent

Feb 02, 2024

DA-BAR’s Research Talks kicks off, features ATBI R4D program

In an effort to ensure that programs, support services, and supported technologies and products are properly disseminated to its valued research for development (R4D) stakeholders, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) launched the first episode of its new knowledge exchange (KE) activity–the Research Talks, on 2 February 2024 via the DA-BAR official facebook page. With its first episode titled, Let’s Talk About Business in R4D: Technology Business Incubation (TBI), Engineer Ethcel Princess P. Libang, head of Technology Management Section and lead focal of the Agricultural Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) R4D program of DA-BAR, joined by Mark Patrick P. Atabay, manager of ADePT-TBI of  DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center, delved into the ATBI’s program design and objectives as well as its implementation and successes.  Libang presented the history and development of TBI, as implemented by other agencies, into becoming one of DA-BAR’s thematic programs; roles of DA-Regional Field Offices (RFOs) as technology incubators, and farmer-partners and agripreneurs as incubatees; components and success indicators of the project implementation under the program; and the ATBI’s prime goal of transforming farmer-partners as agripreneurs contributory to the country’s economic development.“It is really a change in mindset not only for RFO but for our farmer-partners too... we want to transform them into agripreneurs – into sustainable business enterprises,” she said.She highlighted that the program, as it transforms the transfer of mature technologies from incubators to incubatees, is market-driven and tailor-fitted to the needs of its clientele based on assessment.Meanwhile, Atabay presented their program implementation of the ADePT-TBI as well as its accomplishments particularly in mentoring its incubatees to becoming successful agripreneurs.Being the first DA-RFO-operated TBI in the country, ADePT-TBI has already transferred a total of 12 mature food processing and farm production technologies since 2021. Moreover, it also provided more than 40 training sessions and capacity-building activities including pitching sessions to its incubatees- paving the way for better funding opportunities amounting to Php 10.5M.“To my fellow researchers in the R4D community, let us keep on innovating for our farmers… and to our farmers, participate in any TBI programs and activities near you,” Atabay said.The bi-monthly KE activity provides an avenue for the bureau’s program focals to discuss commodity and thematic programs, institutional development support, as well as other programs and support services of the bureau. In each episode, research-partners will also share their research efforts and initiatives as well as the R4D implementing agency they represent. “Going beyond our mission to manage and support R4D projects and initiatives, the bureau likewise ensures that these programs, supported technologies and products are properly disseminated to our stakeholders. We acknowledge the need to introduce and reintroduce to our partners and viewers the information on the programs and activities of the bureau, as well as related government services, that they can access and adopt,” DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano said in an interview.