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NEWS & EVENTS

Sep 22, 2021

UPLB-IPB turns over planting materials, starter kits to DA

In line with its goal to enhance the availability of Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)-developed varieties and technologies to seed growers and farmers, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-IPB turned over seeds, seedlings, and Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) hydroponics starter kits (3S) to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Urban Agriculture Program on 22 September 2021.The abovementioned planting materials and starter kits were produced from the program titled, “Research for Development (R4D) Towards Upscaling of IPB-developed Varieties and Technologies,” which was funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research under the Stimulus Package for Agriculture under the Bayanihan Act II.Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in his message, believes that the partnership between DA and UPLB can be elevated much more, especially in this new normal environment, to meet the growing needs of the country. “Dapat may sapat na pagkain. Hindi lang sapat na pagkain, dapat din ang ating pagkain ay ligtas at nutritious,” he said.Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., UPLB chancellor led the ceremonial turn-over of R4D 3S to Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry assistant director and Urban Agriculture Program national director.Chancellor Camacho, Jr. mentioned that this is an important undertaking of the university in support to the agriculture department’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program. The program shall cover at least 10 DA-Regional Field Offices under the following components: 1) vegetables, field legumes, and root crops; 2) fruit crops; and 3) plant health and SNAP hydroponics.  Specifically producing breeder seeds, breeder stocks of roots, planting materials, quality seeds and seedlings, among others while enhancing the testing and evaluation of elite lines and germplasm of various crops. 

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Sep 30, 2021

DOST, DA join forces for the 1st Technology Transfer Forum

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), together with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), co-hosted the 1st DOST-DA Technology Transfer Forum via Cisco Webex and Facebook livestream on 30 September 2021.Serving as a platform for technology developers and potential investors to engage in knowledge exchange about science and technology and research for development-supported breakthroughs of DOST and DA, the forum covered eight farm machineries and 11 food-related technologies.With the goal of making the country an innovation achiever, DOST secretary Dr. Fortunato Dela Peña highlighted that “if you want to help the country, make a mark in the global innovation landscape. Choose a Filipino invention and invest on our local technologies. These are extraordinary times and we must take extraordinary actions to collaborate, to help out, and to rebuild our economy [and] our science and technology creations.” Examples of farm machineries to possibly invest on include multi-purpose seeder, rice transplanter attachment, local riding-type rice transplanter, rice combine harvester, rice harvester attachment, adlay milling machine, greenhouse solar dryer for food grade cassava, and compact corn mill. Food-related technologies, on the other hand, include chevon valley canned products, chevon products in retort pouch, goat products, tilapia ice cream, gracilaria seaweed products, products from cacao wastes by-products, vacuum-fried jackfruit, various mungbean food products, batuan various products, nipa-based products, and queen pineapple products. The business pitches of the 19 generators highlighted target market, business model, roadmap and traction, marketing and sales, and financials, among others.During his opening message, DA secretary Dr. William Dar commended the technology developers as relentless partners towards a technology-empowered agriculture and fishery sector contributory to inclusive growth. He also encouraged the private sectors and budding agripreneurs to assist the DA and DOST in bringing the technologies to their intended users.“Indeed, these innovations serve as a testament that our initiatives paved the way for their ventures and success. With all these collaborative efforts, I am hoping that they will widen the network of our beneficiaries as we connect the potential investors and collaborators from our network,” DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina Guevara emphasized. Participated by DOST-PCAARRD and DA-BAR officials and staff led by executive director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora and director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, technology inventors, evaluators, and potential investors, among others—the total number of participants in Cisco Webex and Facebook livestream is 1,117 and 6,217, respectively. 

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Aug 24, 2021

16 DA-BAR staff receive due recognition

In celebration of being the lead coordinating agency for agriculture and fishery research for development for 34 years, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) honored 16 employees during its anniversary celebration on 24 August 2021 in Diliman, Quezon City. With the celebration almost lasting for a week, its programme of activities also included the oathtaking ceremony of newly hired, appointed, and promoted staff, as well as the recognition of loyalty awardees and retirees of the bureau. Agriculture Secretary William Dar virtually officiated the oath taking. Marilou Oren (Administrative Officer IV (Budget Officer II)) was the newly hired staff, while Glenn Dimayuga (Agriculturist II) and Vincent Visitacion (Administrative Aide VI (Clerk III)) were newly appointed. The promoted DA-BAR staff included Raymond Patrick Cabrera (Supervising Agriculturist), Melissa Resma (Information Systems Analyst III), and Jay Invinsor Bermas (Senior Agriculturist).On the other hand, leading the recognition under the Performance Award were DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril and assistant director Joell Lales. Acknowledged for their 30 years of government service, DA-BAR Loyalty Awardees included Corazon Barretto, Supply and Property Unit head; Julia Lapitan, Research Coordination Division (RCD) assistant head; Lyn Pardilla, Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD)-Scientific Literature System Section head; and Gretel Rivera, Cash Unit head.Serving the bureau for 15 years—Magdalena Calimutan, Procurement Unit administrative officer, and Jojit Velasquez, who is one of the bureau’s pilots, were also among the loyalty awardees.The DA-BAR was also pleased to present the Personnel Development Award to Dr. Anthony Obligado, RCD head, who graduated this SY 2020-2021 with a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science and Management. The said award is given to permanent employees who has finished their Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees through personal expenses.An audio-visual presentation was also prepared to honor former DA-BAR officials and staff who have retired. Thoughtful messages were given to Dr. Nicomedes Eleazar, longest-serving former director; Digna Sandoval, former assistant director; and Elvira Rapada, former KMISD-Information Management Section technical staff. With the theme “BAR@34: Pagdiriwang para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita ng mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda,” the anniversary celebration was also livestreamed via the bureau’s official Facebook page. 

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Aug 27, 2021

4 webinars held in celebration of DA-BAR anniversary

Viewed live by more than 650 people, four webinars were conducted via Facebook live on 24-27 August 2021 in celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR). Topics included product costing and marketing, innovative chevon-based products, soil-less herb garden for the kitchen, and aquaponics for urban households. Michael Caballes, Bukid Amara chief farmer and owner; Kathlene Claire Ganareal, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) science research specialist; Jesse Descalsota, University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding researcher; and Marx Perfecto Garcia, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources senior aquaculturist, served as resource speakers.Caballes shared the following concepts: marketing, product costing, and marketing strategies for agricultural products. He emphasized that marketing is all about putting the right product in the right place, at the right price, and at the right time.He said, “Ang pagsasaka ay negosyo. So dapat ang trato natin sa pagtatanim ay negosyo. Dapat maka-develop tayo ng business plan na hindi tayo gumagaya sa iba. Dapat may sarili tayong value proposition.”Ganareal talked about the instant chevon-based products developed by CLSU and funded by DA-BAR. Registered under the trademark, K-zser, these products include: papaitan, kapukan, tapa, and bakkwa. Their research showed that these products are highly acceptable by the consumers. Considered financially viable, this value-adding technology is ready for transfer and adoption.  She explained that there are three modes of commercialization available: complete sell-out, joint venture, and technology licensing.Descalsota discussed how to grow herbs without soil for your kitchen. Producing your own herbs at home ensures that you have a fresh and abundant source.From the Latin word that means “working with water,” hydroponics uses nutrient solution as well as promotes rapid growth of plant, higher yield, and superior quality. He also shared the different types of hydroponics systems such as wick system, water culture, ebb and flow, drip, nutrient film technique, and aeroponics system. Garcia introduced aquaponics to the viewers or the combination of rearing fish in a closed environment alongside soil-less planting. He also discussed the various types and designs such as the nutrient film type, substrate-based or media-based technique, floating raft or deep water culture, and hybrid. Operation and management of the aquaponics system were also discussed.The webinar series is part of the bureau’s regular activities to disseminate and promote research-based agriculture and fishery technologies as well as other relevant information. 

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Aug 27, 2021

17,000 sweetpotato planting materials for distribution to individual farmers and FCAs in Cordillera

A total of 17,000 sweetpotato planting materials are set to be distributed to individual farmers and farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Benguet and other provinces of Cordillera from September to December 2021.In 2020, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), awarded PhP 3 million fund to support research projects such as the enhancement of technology transfer on vegetable seed and seedling production of sweetpotato, mushroom, and ginger in the region.According to Josie Dasayon, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Research Division science research specialist, they had already conducted trainings on single node cutting and distributed 23,000 planting materials in Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay early this year. Single node cutting is obtained from the potted mother planting materials distributed to farmers. The vines are cut into single nodes using disinfected blade, leaving one or two nodes where new shoots can develop for the next harvest of vine cuttings. The cuttings are planted in a potted media and when they have grown to at least five nodes, they are transplanted. Further, seven sweetpotato varieties are being distributed—Beniazuma, Haponita, Immitlog, Basilan, Pakak, Bokod, and Bengueta.Based on the division’s sweetpotato research in Benguet, the municipalities of Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay were identified as suitable areas for planting sweetpotato and were selected best in terms of short maturing duration and high yield.The Research Division will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) not only in Benguet but in other provinces of Cordillera for the distribution of the planting materials. For the interested sweetpotato growers, they can coordinate with their respective LGUs or pen a letter addressed to DA-CAR.Sweetpotato, locally known as dukto or lukto is an essential crop in Cordillera. It is considered a staple food, supplement to rice and being added to local delicacies in the Philippines. The leaves, tops, and edible roots are being utilized as food or feeds and it is considered a profitable commodity.“Dukto is part of our culture especially in Cordillera. The importance of planting sweetpotato is its health benefits and it can be an additional income for the family,” Dasayon said.

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Aug 25, 2021

DA-BAR, Advisory Board work towards a strengthened and resilient R4D system

Aimed at crafting and implementing a comprehensive research for development (R4D) plans towards a strengthened and resilient R4D system, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) conducted the Second Advisory Board for Research for Development (ABR4D) Meeting on 25 August 2021 via Cisco Webex.The said meeting provided a venue to present the plans, programs, and activity updates of DA-BAR—to which the board members composed of officials and representatives from various public and private sector were sought with guidance and recommendations for the continuous improvement of the bureau.Agriculture Secretary William Dar, ABR4D chair, presented the OneDA Reform Agenda during the said meeting. The said framework focuses on the four pillars, which are consolidation, modernization, industrialization, and professionalization.DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril led the presentation of the bureau’s Transformative R4D Framework, as well as the R4D program priorities aligned to the OneDA approach. Raymond Patrick Cabrera, DA-BAR Research Program Development Division head presented the bureau’s new R4D priorities, as well as the major guidelines for packaging R4D projects. This was followed by a presentation by DA-BAR Research Coordination Division head Dr. Anthony Obligado on the DA-BAR-funded technologies ready for scaling.DA Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Fermin Adriano, ABR4D co-chair; DA Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, together with the members of the board provided guidance and laid down various recommendations. Among the key recommendations are the need to further strengthen the R4D prioritization process by identifying the needs of the sector; to include champion commodities with good export potential; to strengthen support to commercialization and scaling; and to strengthen linkage with the private sector, among others. Upon receiving observations and recommendations from the group, director Mamaril and assistant director Joell Lales commit to comply with the instructions and to exercise due diligence in selecting research proposals to be funded. In 2020, Secretary Dar issued a Special Order for the creation of the ABR4D with a goal to elevate and sustain the quality of R4D plans and programs toward a more proactive and innovative contributory enabler towards inclusive agribusiness.