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NEWS & EVENTS

Jan 15, 2024

DA-BAR reviews ongoing and completed projects under HVCDP and AFMA-Crops

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) reviewed ongoing and completed projects under the High Value Crops Development Program and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act-Crops research for development (R4D) on 9 January 2024 via Google Meet.The activity, facilitated by the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division, intended to determine the status of said projects, coordinated and supported by the bureau, and offer recommendations to the implementers to ensure delivery of accomplishments and  results.The projects reviewed include the Analysis of Food Demand and Supply Structure in the Municipalities of Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan (Zero Kilometer Food Project or 0 KM) of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), and the Upscaling Regional Capacities on Urban Agriculture towards Nutrition Sensitive Crop Production through Edible Landscaping (EL) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI). The completed 0 KM Food Project of BPSU had analyzed various facets of agriculture in Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan. This involved profiled key players in the market economy, determined the high-value crops consumed, produced, and traded; assessed the consumption practices of households, producers, and traders; analyzed the food supply and demand performance; traced the movement pattern of the commodities; and identified the problems of producers, consumers, and traders, and suggested possible solutions to their problems.As for the ongoing Edible Landscaping project of UPLBFI,  the project encompassed different regions through the DA-regional field offices (RFOs), including Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Quezon City, and for evaluation Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA, andBicol Region. As part of the project, the EL team has identified suitable crops for EL in urban conditions, developed site-specific EL garden designs and technology demonstration gardens for the selected DA RFOs. Furthermore, technical resources to agriculture extension workers were provided, hence, established and strengthened. An  EL training of trainers manual was also packaged for finalization. The team also ensures evaluation of the established EL gardens as well as the conduct of the cascading of co-learning activities to agriculture extension workers' respective constituents. 

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Jan 12, 2023

UPLB releases handbooks to promote agricultural livelihood options

The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), through the UPLB Foundation Inc., released a series of publications titled, May Pera sa Agrikultura.Funded by DA-BAR, the first installment features quail raising, mango production, native pig raising, organic agriculture, and organic soil amendments. Management practices and economic indicators based on respective assumptions were presented in each handbook.Further, success stories of beneficiaries and adapters of the technologies were also featured to inspire more farmers and raisers to benefit from the technologies. Quail RaisingAuthored by Cisima P. Lavega, the handbook shared tips on how to venture into quail farming business, growing and rearing management including housing and facilities, and brooding management. Popular quail eggs and meat recipes are also featured in the handbook.With an initial cost of production of PhP 43,336 in one season, a raiser can generate a total income amounting to PhP 60,250.  The return on investment for the first and second year is 28.36% and 53%, respectively. Native Pig RaisingTo further promote native pig raising in the country and its potential, Carla Alilie Lontoc-Junsay and Jorge Michael D. Dominguez summarized discussions on native pig breeds, breeding, feeds and feed management, management practices including herd management, and housing.Operation cost from grower to finisher is estimated at PhP 112,245, a net income of PhP 22,755 can be realized in a year with three production cycles per year. Mango ProductionAs a number of publications on mango production have already been published, Dr. Calixto M. Protacio and Johnrell S. Zuniega put emphasis on the agribusiness aspect of mango production in this handbook.Aside from scheduling production, the book also discussed the site selection, canopy management, flower and fruit regulation, crop protection and nutrition, and harvesting and postharvest operations.A net income of PhP 245,945 per hectare can be noted from a PhP 48,854.63 production cost. Organic Vegetable FarmingOffering concepts and practical information on organic farming, Dr. Blesilda M. Calub and Nadine B. Coronado prepared a handbook for organic vegetable growers, practitioners, trainers, advocates, and even teachers.From getting familiar with organic agriculture, topics on how to grow organic vegetables, organic pest management and the business prospects were presented. Organic Soil AmendmentsDr. Gina Villegas Pangga, in her authored handbook, further aims to promote composting and soil organic amendment. These include benefits and products of composting, ways and keys to produce quality compost including right ingredients and used materials, among other things.Considered capital intensive in the beginning (approximately PhP 500,000), it is a money-spinning business in a short time with one possibly earning PhP 212,040.

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Jan 03, 2023

DA-BAR OIC-director inspires employees to serve with passion

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales encourages all its employees to work with positivity and passion in delivering the mandates of the bureau, hence, further improving its research for development (R4D) services. This he stated in his New Year’s message during the first flag raising ceremony at the bureau for 2023. “Like the three wise men who followed the Star to reach Bethlehem, let’s always seek the light, let’s all be continuously enlightened in what we do personally and in the workplace, as the light will guide us to better aspects, better level of ourselves for our families and for our work. Let us all look forward, positively and let this radiate to our ultimate beneficiaries– the farmers [and fisherfolk].” OIC Lales said.He also reminded everyone that they are using government resources, and it should be spent and invested wisely. But he added that everyone should always find time to enjoy their work in a way that it will feel like they are just living their passions and their dreams.“Make your work fruitful yet enjoyable and let us always foster a harmonious working relationship with everyone, without baggage, just working freely, speaking freely, moving freely as this office is our second home, our second family.” Lales added.He also encouraged employees who want to pursue further studies to do it now for their personal development and advancement. He directed the monitoring and evaluation group to document more impactful success stories from the BAR-funded projects for the last 35 years as he rallied the employees to pursue progress in everything they do.“Again, let us welcome 2023 with much excitement and passion to be able to deliver our mandate alongside our pursuit to elevate our BAR of Excellence. The success of BAR is everyone’s success.” Lales ended his speech with emphasis on this.

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Jan 05, 2023

Developing an adlay enterprise in Zamboanga Peninsula, enhancing adaptive capacity of IPs

Focused on developing a sustainable adlay enterprise for farmers in the marginal areas, DA-Zamboanga Peninsula implemented a project to capacitate IP farmers and associations in the region and enhance their adaptive capacity to adlay production technology.Funded through Republic Act No. 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” being coordinated by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the said project also involved rebel returnees as beneficiaries.According to Engr. Roger O. Bagaforo, the lead proponent of the project, they target to increase productivity and income of adlay farmers, and address food security in marginal areas in the region.“We are approaching this project in a holistic way, aiming towards the development of adlay from production support, postharvest handling, value adding or product development, and marketing that will further enhance the sector with farmer-centric approach,” said Engr. Bagaforo.During its six-month implementation, the project served and reached out to adlay farmers in marginalized areas and registered about 486 adlay farmers and 27 farmer-groups, mostly are IPs and rebel returnees located in Camp Salman, Zamboanga Sibugay, in support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict program. However, some tribal leaders were not in favor of enhancing the pangase, an adlay-based wine, because it contradicts with their religious beliefs.The safety restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic made it extremely hard for them to reach out and identify farmer beneficiaries.“Nag-start itong project na ito noong 29 December 2020, kaya talagang mahigpit noon. Hindi kami basta-basta makapasok [sa kanila] makapag-assess ng mga adlay farmers noon,” said John Paul Guadalupe, science research specialist from DA-Zamboanga Peninsula and was one of the people involved in the project.“Kasi bawat municipality ay mayroong checkpoint, kailangang magpaalam muna kami sa mga local government unit (LGU) para makapasok at magawa namin yung kailangan naming gawin para sa project,” added Guadalupe.Regardless of these challenges, they extended technical assistance to adlay farmers by giving emphasis on precise farming using the research findings and adlay package of technology-generated by the DA-ZamPen-Research Division. Apart from the assistance, DA-BAR also provided equipment in the postharvest of adlay.Under the project, farmer-friendly adlay production guides and other IEC materials were produced and packaged. These were translated to the local dialect and encouraged partner-LGUs to establish an adlay production area in their municipality to promote and encourage other farmers to plant. 

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Dec 20, 2021

Processing mango wastes into phenolic-based products highlights in-house webinar

Processing mango wastes into phenolic-based products was seen as one of the solutions to address the industry’s waste disposal problem as well as augment the income of mango farmers. Various researches were conducted by the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-University of the Philippines Los Baños (BIOTECH-UPLB) to explore this.Registered chemist and researcher Arsenia B. Sapin of BIOTECH-UPLB led the discussion on the processing of phenolic-based products from mango wastes during the in-house webinar of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research on 20 December 2021.Phenolics are compounds consisting of one or more aromatic rings with single or multiple hydroxyl groups. This compound is known for its antioxidant bioactivities and other health-promoting activities.“We developed phenolic-based products from seeds, branches, and early fruit drops for various applications as a potential source of income for mango processors and farmers,” said Sapin.Sapin together with Teresita J. Ramirez developed the PhenoFera, a phenolic powder made from mango seed wastes, to be used as an active ingredient in cosmetic products.“Natural phenolics from mango branches and early fruit drops exhibited high antioxidant and antidiabetic bioactivities that could lead in the development of phenolic-based products with potential use as health supplements providing additional revenues to farmers,” explained Sapin.“Mango seed is a good source of natural phenolics possessing whitening and anti-wrinkling properties with potential use in the cosmetics industry,” she added.Cosmetic products developed through mango seed phenolics powder included lotion, shampoo, hand sanitizer, liquid hand soap, and sunscreen products. Meanwhile, the mango branch, bark phenolic powder was processed to make Diaferin, a natural effective health supplement for diabetics. Further, a healthy juice for diabetic was developed from early mango fruit drops. The early fruit drops were washed, sorted, peeled, and sliced. After which it is shredded and mixed with pectinase, then filtered through cheesecloth. The puree will then be formulated and heat-processed to become a phenolic-rich juice. 

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Dec 20, 2021

UPLB turns over edible landscape garden to DA

In line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Plant, Plant, Plant program and its efforts towards establishment of food-resilient communities amidst the pandemic, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) turned over the Edible Landscape (EL) garden to DA on 20 December 2021 at the DA Central Office grounds, Diliman, Quezon City.Dubbed as “Hardin ng Kalusugan at Pagkain,” the garden is established to promote EL in urban communities as an additional source of available, fresh, and nutritious food for every Filipino family. The said initiative is part of a project titled, “Magtanim ng Gulay Para sa Isang Masagana, Malusog, at Makulay na Buhay,” funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research. Agriculture Secretary William Dar and UPLB professor and former chancellor Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr. led the ribbon cutting ceremony and the symbolic turn-over of a shovel—symbolizing sustainable food production, through Edible Landscaping, to help address food and nutrition security. Joining them were the key officials of the department.Dr. Sanchez, Jr., project leader and head of the UPLB EL team, acknowledged DA and DA-BAR for its support in urban agriculture promotion.“This project was inspired by our wanting for more food in urban areas and we thought that it is important to start this at the Department of Agriculture. The basic thing is organic and what you see here are organic vegetables and they are dispersed inspired by Usec. Evelyn [Laviña]. We thought that this mix of things that are beautiful and edible are ideal at this point in time especially we thought that the DA should really be the model for that,” DA Undersecretary for Regulations Engr. Zamzamin Ampatuan said in his message.The concept of the design for the DA demo garden was based on the logo of the department while the metal stand of the marker symbolizes and encourages crop production and urban agriculture.Edible crops used are eggplant, tomato, bush sitao, tarragon, radish, mustard, pechay, sili, and variegated calamansi, with a combination of some ornamental plants such as marigold and vinca. 

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