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NEWS & EVENTS

Jan 26, 2022

DA-BAR firms up PAPs for 2022

To formulate and firm up the bureau’s plans, programs, and activities for 2022, DA-BAR held its first Management Committee (ManCom) meeting for the year on 26-27 January. “The agenda is a continued effort of the DA-BAR family in order to give us updates and plans for the following months of 2022,” DA-BAR director Dr. Junel B. Soriano said in his opening remarks. He is hopeful that the laid-out plans, and strategies for the programs of the bureau will be implemented soon. Further, he expressed his appreciation towards the staff of as they continue to give their best efforts and hard work.Presentations included updates and plans vis-à-vis the goals, directions, and recommendations discussed and laid out in recently held meetings and issuances. Aside from the three major divisions of the bureau: the Research Program Development Division, Research Coordination Division, and Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division, the Human Resources Management Unit, General Services Unit, and Records and Supply Unit also discussed administrative concerns and other matters.Aligned with the OneDA Reform Agenda, some of the presentation highlights covered the DA-BAR Inclusive Transformative R4DE Framework, OneDA Research for Development and Extension System (OneDA R4DE System), DA-BAR National RDE Agenda and Programs (NRDEAP), Strategic Plan, among others. DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales delivered his closing remarks by thanking and reminding the DA-BAR employees to continue reaching their full potential through capacity building. He also emphasized that the staff shall continue to abide by its mandate and extend the bureau’s programs to reach more farmers, fishers, researchers, partner agencies, and state universities and colleges. Presided by director Soriano and assistant director Lales, ManCom members attended the meeting either physically or virtually, in light of the ongoing health restrictions. 

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Oct 25, 2021

Soriano appointed as DA-BAR’s new director

Effective 25 October 2021, Dr. Junel B. Soriano serves as the newly-appointed director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) following outgoing director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril who now came back to his home office—the DA-Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards.Agriculture Secretary William Dar administered the oath-taking ceremony at the Office of the Secretary at the DA’s main headquarters, Quezon City on the same date.Prior to his appointment as DA-BAR director, he served as director of the Rainfed and Dryland Agriculture Center and Professor at the Isabela State University. With his expertise in the fields of agricultural engineering, soil and water conservation and management, irrigation & drainage engineering, project development and resource generation, and research and extension management, among others, he joined offices like the DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and Bulacan Agricultural State College, to name a few.During the initial briefings with the bureau’s Executive Committee and technical and administrative divisions, the DA-BAR Transformative Research for Development (R4D) framework was discussed. In return, director Dr. Soriano envisions to enhance and implement strategies focused on transforming research outcomes to policies for development or “Research to Policy for Development (R2P4D).”An expert on agricultural engineering and a farmer, Dr. Soriano now joins the DA-BAR family—one of the staff bureau of the department with a vision to continuously strengthen the R4D system towards a technology-empowered agriculture and fishery sector contributory to inclusive growth. 

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Jan 20, 2022

TBI must operate as a business -Soriano

“Technology business incubation (TBI) must operate as a business. You are on the right track because you are partnering with non-government offices operating business. We want to see a sustainable project. That’s the big challenge for you now, how will you grow the TBI,” said Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) director Dr. Junel B. Soriano during the inception meeting in Pampanga State Agricultural University on 20 January 2022.Soriano also emphasized that the university should think like a business person in order to sustain and grow the TBI project. He also highlighted the importance of TBI in research for development as well as its role in capacitating the farmer cooperatives and associations.“We want to see a successful TBI on the ground soon,” he added.Funded by DA-BAR in October 2021, the project aims to facilitate the innovation and sustained development of start-ups and agri-entrepreneurs through the transfer and commercialization of mature research-based technologies. Led by Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office director Walter L. Pacunana, the project is also in collaboration with DA-Research Outreach Station Magalang.In attendance during the meeting were PSAU OIC and vice president for academic affairs Dr. Anita G. David and vice president for administration, business and finance Myrna B. Lorenzo; and DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales and selected staff. 

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Sep 13, 2021

DA-BAR officials lead inauguration of Multi-purpose R4D Center

Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, assistant director Joell H. Lales, and Research Coordination Division head Dr. Anthony B. Obligado led the inauguration of the Multi-Purpose Research for Development (R4D) Center at the DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CLIARC) for Upland Development in Sto. Niño, Magalang, Pampanga on 17 September 2021.Funded under the bureau’s Research Facility Development Grant Program, the established R4D Center is geared towards increasing the production of upland crops in Central Luzon, hence, contributing to increasing the income of upland farmers. Specifically, the said R4D center will provide venue for the efficient conduct of different researches on upland crops for tissue culture propagation; development of protocols for upland crops production through vine cutting technique as production guide for upland farmers; and production of upland crops seeds, cuttings, or tubers.DA-BAR assistant director Lales, as he conveyed the message of director Dr. Mamaril, commended DA-Central Luzon and reiterated Secretary William Dar’s statement that “we need to build facilities that are made to last.” “Facilities like this are not only made to last but underscoring as well the legacy. As there are people handling, managing, or doing the work will not last but the services of the facilities are meant to last. So, for the next generations to come, the services, the functions should continuously benefit our ultimate clientele,” assistant director Lales further said.In response, DA-Central Luzon regional technical director Dr. Arthur D. Dayrit, research division chief Dr. Irene M. Adion, and CLIARC for Upland Development station manager Dr. Emily A. Soriano thanked DA-BAR’s support and hope that the new facility will provide a lot of services to the upland or rootcrop farmers and be used for breeding and formulating various upland crop production protocols. 

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Sep 28, 2021

Mushroom, vegetable processing technologies make its way to women’s association and IP community

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Luzon’s technologies on mushroom crackers and vegetable noodles were officially turned-over to Binbin Women Gardeners’ Association (BWGA) and Binbin Igorots Association (BIA) during the Technology Transfer Ceremony and Product Launching cum Field Day on 28 September 2021 at Sitio Binbin, Brgy. General Luna in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.The said activity was part of the project titled, “Upscaling of Mushroom Crackers as Additional Income Source of Indigenous People in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija in Support to ALPAS-COVID 19” funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). The project aimed to upscale mushroom crackers as a healthy snack for Filipinos through BWGA by mass producing the product and marketing it to various Kadiwa markets and social media platforms.DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril and DA-Central Luzon Research Division chief Dr. Irene M. Adion led the ceremonial transfer of technologies as well as the signing of the memorandum of understanding, and awarding of processing equipment to BWGA and BIA.In his message, Dr. Mamaril commended the improvement of the product quality since its development. He provided comments and suggestions to make the product competitive and penetrate the mainstream market. Further, he stressed that compliance to needed requirements and good manufacturing practice shall ensure the quality and safety of the product.Expressing his gratitude, Dominguez Palangyos, BIA chairperson said, “Kami po’y nagpapasalamat sa mga project na binibigay ninyo sa amin at kahit na pinakaliblib itong area namin ay natagpuan ninyo....sa katotohanan naman ay malaki ang naitulong nitong project dahil nadagdagan ang kabuhayan namin.”“Maraming salamat po sa pagbigay ng project na ito sa amin. Madami pong naitulong at naging impact ito sa amin. Sa paggawa pa lang po ng mushroom crackers, natutunan namin gumawa at mag-produce rin ng fruiting bags,” Crystal Diaus, BWGA secretary added.Both associations hope that the developments made by the project will be sustained in their community. Further, seeking for continuous support in the establishment of their own office and processing facility.The activity was attended by the members of BWGA, BIA along with the officials and representatives from the DA-Central Luzon and the LGU of Municipality of Carranglan. 

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Sep 15, 2021

Dragonfruit production, disease management highlight monthly in-house webinar

Streamed live by 364 viewers, the dragon fruit production and disease management highlight the monthly in-house webinar of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research held on 15 September 2021 via Facebook.Plant pathology expert Dr. Mark Angelo Balendres of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding served as the resource speaker.He discussed the benefits of consuming dragon fruit; the business of growing the fruit; and the production, management, plant diseases, as well as the research and production prospects.Dragon fruit is considered as “the new money crop” by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry. One kilo of the fruit costs around PhP 120-150 in the local market.According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, total production area and volume increased more than 10 times from 2011 to 2020. Dr. Balendres shared that the national average of production is at 3.2 metric tons per hectare.Based on reports, dragon fruit production can be profitable with good management practices.Dragon fruit production requires an open field with direct exposure to sunlight. Soil should be sandy loam with high organic content and well-drained with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Dr. Balendres encouraged interested growers to reach out to their municipal agricultural offices for a soil analysis to ensure that it is healthy for dragon fruit production.The production of dragon fruit relies on sunlight and temperature. Hence the fruiting time in the Philippines is from May to October. However, this can be extended through off-season production by introducing additional lighting.He stressed that some dragon fruit varieties would not bear fruit without successful pollination. Assisted pollination is not required for self-fertile varieties but is encouraged for bigger fruits. In contrast, it is necessary for self-sterile varieties.Harvesting at 28-30 days after flowering will give the ideal quality of the fruits. These can be stored at five degrees Celsius for up to four weeks or 20 degrees Celsius for up to seven to 14 days, depending on varieties.“Stem canker and anthracnose are major dragon fruit problems. Field sanitation, healthy planting materials, and avoiding overhead sprinkler irrigation are some of the measures to mitigate disease impact,” explained Dr. Balendres. 