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NEWS & EVENTS

Oct 04, 2021

4 facilities under the Bayanihan 2 inaugurated

To help increase the production of priority commodities in MIMAROPA, four facilities in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro were rehabilitated and established under the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR)-funded project titled, Enhancing Technology Transfer and Capacities in the MIMAROPA Region, lodged under the Bayanihan 2. Inaugurated on 4 October 2021, these facilities were: Food/Fruit Processing Laboratory, Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory, Lakatan Banana Tissue Culture Nursery, and Solar Power System.First, the Food/Fruit Processing Laboratory was rehabilitated to serve as a venue for processing and value-adding of potential crops in the region, as well as training for interested beneficiaries.Second, the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory was rehabilitated to enhance the production of banana and garlic tissue culture planting materials for distribution to farmers and other stakeholders in the region.Third, three units of the Lakatan Banana Tissue Culture Nursery Shed were rehabilitated.  The said plant nursery was established to support the mass propagation of the Lakatan banana quality planting materials.Lastly, the Solar Power System was installed as an alternative source of electricity in the station, as well as to promote green technology in performance of research for development.Attending the inauguration were DA-MIMAROPA officials: regional executive director Antonio G. Gerundio, regional technical director Dr. Louella Rowena J. Lorenzana, Research Division chief Marissa R. Luna, and Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Center station head Coleta C. Quindong.Joining them were DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril and DA-Bureau of Plant Industry assistant director for operation Dr. Jonar I. Yago. 

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Feb 23, 2022

Garlic experts recommend varieties based on multi-location adaptability trials

To expand the garlic production area and increase yield, experts from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), DA-Ilocos Region, and DA-Bureau Plant Industry (BPI)-National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center recommended registered varieties and cultivars based on multi-location adaptability trials.In 2017, DA-BAR tapped garlic experts and initiated the said research in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, and Cordillera Administrative Region.The project team analyzed the biophysical and climatic characterizations of potential garlic growing areas, as well as pest and disease incidences. Trials were laid out following the Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The plot size was 2 x 5 meters with a planting distance of 20 x 20 cm. The improved package of technology for garlic by MMSU was followed for cultural management. Various activities to encourage the farmers, especially those in areas where garlic is not commonly planted, to venture into garlic production were done.MMSU reported that Cagayan Valley and CAR are potential areas for expansion where Ilocos Pink, Ilocos White, Mexican, Miracle, and Tan Bolters are suitable varieties. While the produce from the provinces of Benguet, Isabela, and Nueva Vizcaya was recommended for black garlic processing.DA-Ilocos Region identified the top two performing varieties Miracle as ideal for Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Pink for Ilocos Sur, and one cultivar Batanes White for Pangasinan. Thirteen municipalities showed potential as expansion sites. Eight municipalities expanded their area adopting the technologies farmed by 19 farmers and planting adoptable varieties in 9,723 sqm.DA-BPI Los Baños found that Ilocos White, Batanes White, and Mexican were suitable in Tarlac, Duran Albay, San Carlos City Negros Occidental, and Miag-ao Iloilo.The project team also recommended the following measures to encourage and institutionalize garlic production in these areas: conduct capacity-building activities, operationalize garlic laboratory for virus indexing, identify molecular characteristics of garlic, and standardize procedure on garlic seed production and certification.They also advised strengthening partnerships among DA, state universities and colleges, and local government units on pest identification and management, implementing farm consolidation clustering of garlic farmers for expansion sites, and providing market support.Consolidated recommendations of the project were submitted to the bureau in February 2022, while the terminal review was conducted in December 2021. 

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Oct 04, 2021

Calamansi stakeholders convene to discuss industry’s future in Oriental Mindoro

In response to Agriculture Secretary William Dar’s pronouncements during a field visit in September 2021, a meeting on the possible actions for the enhancement of calamansi industry in Oriental Mindoro was held at theDepartment of Agriculture (DA)-MIMAROPA satellite station, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on 4 October 2021. DA-MIMAROPA regional executive director Antonio G. Gerundio, together with DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril and DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) assistant director for Operations and Technical and Production Services Dr. Jonar I. Yago presided over the meeting.Joining them were DA-MIMAROPA regional technical director Dr. Louella Rowena J. Lorenzana, Oriental Mindoro provincial agriculturist Christine M. Pine, Mindoro State University (MinSU, formerly known as Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology) president Dr. Levy B. Arago, Jr. among other technical staff and representatives. DA-BPI assistant director Yago explained that the secretary wanted to expand the calamansi production area, identify existing cultivars or accessions, determine the package of technologies for calamansi production, and establish an indexing facility. Meanwhile, DA-BAR director Mamaril detailed how the bureau can give its assistance to improve the calamansi industry.Further, DA-MIMAROPA regional executive director Gerundio provided his inputs on how the regional field office and MinSU can efficiently and effectively work together to address the challenges of the calamansi industry.Another meeting will be set later this year to discuss the outputs and deliverables of the stakeholders present and ways forward. 

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Oct 14, 2021

Milkfish project envisions fry, fingerlings increase following launching, MOA signing

With the goal of providing the needed agricultural support to hatchery and nursery operations of cooperators in Central Luzon, the “Enhanced Productivity and Resiliency through Improved Milkfish Hatchery and Nursery Protocols in Central Luzon” project was launched and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on 14 October 2021 via Google Meet.Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (DA-NFRDI), the project aims to increase the number of fry and fingerlings of milkfish, which will then help increase the income of fisherfolk. In close collaboration also with the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Central Luzon and Zambales local government unit, the project will specifically strengthen the milkfish hatchery and nursery, as well as the development of a linkage system to grow-out farmers in the said province. According to DA-NFRDI Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Center chief Dr. Maria Theresa Mutia, this project in Zambales is the second part of the milkfish project since the first one was successfully implemented in Quezon.Despite the challenges with regards to the operations of milkfish hatcheries and nurseries, DA-BFAR Central Luzon regional director Wilfredo Cruz in his opening remarks, mentioned that these two phases (hatcheries and nurseries) of the research are still crucial for the country’s milkfish industry.“Itong project na ito ay napakahalaga and relevant lalung-lalo na in terms of bangus....To the cooperators, I would like to encourage everybody na mahalin natin ang project na ito. Nakikita ko ang ibibigay nito na assistance in terms of materials,” DA-NFRDI acting executive director Dr. Lilian Garcia highlighted.With the project being funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, mentioned that the bureau aims to fund development projects or research that have a direct impact on the farmers and fisherfolk.Hence, more than gratitude, DA-BAR director Dr. Mamaril emphasized in his message, “Ang biyaya ay pinagyayaman, pina-uunlad, at pinagtatagumpayan,” as he hopes to witness growth and improvement in the lives of the bureau’s beneficiaries. After the key messages, as well as presentation of the project— DA-BFAR Central Luzon regional director Cruz and DA-NFRDI acting executive director Dr. Garcia then led the MOA signing activity. 

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Oct 28, 2021

Plant health management shared in DA-BAR webinar

Plant health management for quality planting materials was shared during the webinar of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) on 28 October 2021 via Facebook live.Dr. Fe Dela Cueva, expert on Plant Pathology from the University of the Philippines-Institute of Plant Breeding, said that plant health management through precision diagnostics ensure the production and distribution of disease-free quality planting materials.Further, she explained that plant diseases reduce the quality of food and threaten food production. “That is why ensuring disease-free quality planting materials is a key element in crop production through monitoring plant health, early detection of pathogens, and identification of major disease-causing organisms by reducing the spread of diseases, facilitating effective disease management strategies, thereby, increasing crop yield.”This can be achieved, first, through the development of pathogen detection protocols through nucleic acid-based detection or antibody-based detection on various fruits (banana, guava, tamarind, rambutan, durian, duhat, cashew, mangosteen, and lanzones); on vegetables (cucumber, tomato, bitter gourd, eggplant, squash, lady fingers); on root crops like sweet potatoes; and ornamental crops. Second, through diagnosis and indexing of important diseases of various crops and mass propagation and distribution of healthy planting materials to different DA-Regional Field Offices (RFO) and local government units in the regions.And third, through collaboration with various institutions, including technical staff from DA-RFOs, provided knowledge through capacity building and training on disease diagnosis and plant micropropagation.Dr. Dela Cueva, in her parting message, reminded that plant health monitoring is an important aspect of crop farming, and with the available information on plant diseases, appropriate control measures were recommended to ensure the plant health and the production of clean planting materials. 

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Feb 04, 2022

R4D institutions in Central Luzon work on battling animal viral diseases

In line with the efforts to manage and further combat and eradicate the animal viral diseases in Central Luzon, the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) convened a meeting with various research for development (R4D) institutions in Central Luzon to synchronize research efforts on 4 February 2022 via Zoom.PSAU is currently undergoing a study aimed to diagnose, using molecular techniques, African Swine Fever Virus in swine, New Castle Disease and Avian Influenza viruses in poultry, Tilapia Lake Virus in tilapia, and White Spot Syndrome virus in shrimps.Funded by DA-BAR, the implementation of the project is in collaboration with DA-Central Luzon, Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL), Bureau of Animal Industry, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional offices.During the said meeting, Jacob Anderson C. Sanchez, PSAU project leader, provided project updates and explained the detailed methodologies used in the experiment. DNA sequence results collected from samples in Pampanga, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac were also discussed.Dr. Milagros R. Mananggit, chief of the RADDL-Integrated Laboratories Division, committed to continuously provide specimen from RADDL-Central Luzon that can be used for the research project.In order to harmonize such efforts, a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between PSAU and DA-Central Luzon including other key offices on 3 September 2021. One provision in the agreement is that DNA/RNA specimens, including positive samples in RADDL will be sent to PSAU for subsequent laboratory tests and DNA sequencing.Thus, RADDL performs its mandate by providing laboratory and diagnostic services while PSAU complements the RADDL through research services. The said study is being conducted in the established Animal Disease Diagnostic Research Facility funded by DA-BAR to help in providing fast and accurate diagnosis of pathogenic viral diseases of swine, poultry, and fisheries in the region.