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NEWS & EVENTS

Dec 05, 2023

New high-yielding DA corn varieties launched to boost farmers' livelihood

Aimed to boost farmers’ livelihood through utilization of high-yielding varieties, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), Bureau of Plant Industry, Regional Field Offices and National Corn Program, in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños–Institute of Plant Breeding, has launched two newly registered corn varieties on 5 December 2023 in Quezon City.Under the DA-Corn Germplasm Utilization through Advanced Research and Development (CGUARD) program, CVRC Glut 21-16 from the DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center, commonly referred to as Deko Glut, and Tupi 1 WIT or South Cotabato Improved Tiniguib, developed by DA-SOCCSKSARGEN, are now ready for distribution and commercialization. Farmers can now reap the benefits of these improved native varieties.CVRC Glut 21-16 boasts an average grain yield of 5.99 mt/ha in Luzon and 4.35 mt/ha in Mindanao. It also features a robust husk cover, providing resistance to many pests and diseases. Meanwhile, Tupi 1 WIT showcases an average grain yield of 5.15 mt/ha, surpassing another check variety from Mindanao that achieves approximately 4.98 mt/ha. Additionally, it exhibits a shelling recovery rate of 79%, 22-24 kernel rows, and apparent tolerance to downy mildew disease.In his welcome message, Joell H. Lales, DA-BAR assistant director, emphasized the potential of enhancing more native varieties. He also underscored that the improvement of these varieties is aimed at supporting farmers in enhancing their livelihoods. “Considering that we only have two regions highlighted here, then we have more to expect because we have 16 regions,” said Lales.Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr, represented by assistant secretary for Policy Research and Development Noel A. Padre, applauded the other significant outcome that came from this project. “In line with the goals and activities of CGUARD, the capacities of DA regional offices' researchers regarding varietal improvement and development utilizing modern tools of science were developed, practiced, and improved,” said Padre.He mentioned that the researchers' enhanced techniques and skills can be utilized beyond the program, emphasizing that these capacities may be tapped, mobilized, and harnessed by DA now and in the future.During the event, CVRC Glut 21-16 was distributed to corn farmers of Cagayan Valley and SOCCKSARGEN since the variety has two recommendation domains-Luzon and Mindanao. While Tupi 1 WIT was distributed to the farmers of Mindanao.An open forum was also held to provide an avenue for farmers, officials, and researchers to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore potential partnerships. Present at the launching were selected corn farmers from Cagayan Valley and SOCCSKSARGEN; officials and representatives of DA and UPLB; and LGUs. The DA-CGUARD program is implemented by DA regional field offices, through the DA-BAR and DA-National Corn Program, in collaboration with the UPLB–Institute of Plant Breeding.

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Jun 26, 2023

13 students start their summer youth internship at DA-BAR

Out of a competitive pool of 24 applicants, 13 candidates have been selected as summer youth interns at DA-BAR. The 45-day internship program started on 26 June 2023.Aligned with the provisions of Executive Order No. 139 series of 1993, DA is implementing the Summer Youth Internship Program for 2023. This initiative aims to actively involve young individuals in public service, offering them the unique opportunity to experience the bureau's ongoing endeavors firsthand. It also  serves as a strategic recruitment mechanism, identifying promising talents who may potentially become valuable public servants in the future. To ensure inclusivity, financial assistance may also be extended to the interns, further enhancing their participation.“You are lucky to be accepted into the program because you get to experience what we are doing here at the bureau,” said DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano as he addressed the summer youth interns during the program’s orientation.

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Jun 16, 2023

3 projects in Zamboanga Peninsula monitored

To track the progress and ensure everything is going according to plan, the DA-BAR conducted on-site monitoring and documentation of three projects on ceylon tea, rubber, and seaweed in Zamboanga Peninsula on 12-16 June 2023.  Production and processing of Ceylon tea plantsImplemented by DA-Zamboanga Peninsula-La Paz Experiment Station (LPES), the project titled, Commercialization of Ceylon Tea (Camelia sinensis) in Zamboanga Peninsula, aimed to promote the production of Ceylon tea plants through seedlings and cuttings and processing of young tea leaves.Production of Ceylon tea plants were established in Mutia and Piñan, Zamboanga del Norte and in Bayog and Presa, Zamboanga del Sur. Through the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist of Zamboanga del Sur, the Women’s Movement for Rural Improvement Cooperative of Poblacion Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur underwent training on production of Ceylon tea cuttings and its proper cultural management practices.Black and green tea processing were also developed at DA-LPES. The enhancement of its packaging and label, nutrient analysis, and determination of shelf life of the products are nearing its completion. Enhanced latex yield of rubber trees through application of stimulantsTo improve productivity through increased rubber latex yield, a protocol on proper application and concentration of appropriate latex stimulants for rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) is being developed by DA-Philippine Rubber Research Institute. The stimulant is a mixture of vegetable oils and ethylene hormones or other active ingredients. The four project sites were selected based on the following criteria: 1) trees should be 10 years old and above, 2) rubber farm should be plantation type, 3) rubber trees are planted as monocrop, and 4) experimental trees were budded with similar planting date, distance, girth size, and clone per site.The study is limited to PB 260, PB 330, and RRIM 600 clones, aged 10-25 years, and within the bounds of Zamboanga Peninsula.  Seaweed production through pilot deep-sea circular HDPE cage farming systemTo increase seaweed production, the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Zamboanga Peninsula established two climate-resilient circular high-density polyethylene (HDPE) cage in deep sea, which is non-traditional seaweed farming areas, in Buenavista, Zamboanga City and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.Each cage was planted with 1, 200 kilograms of Kappaphycus sp. seedlings, with an average weight of 150-200 grams per seedling, sourced from adjacent farms in the area. Trials are ongoing to develop the protocol, which is expected to be completed within the year.

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Jun 27, 2023

Progress, completion of four rice R4D projects for Q2 2023 reviewed

In compliance with the guidelines and procedures of its monitoring and evaluation system, the DA-BAR conducted a progress and completion review of rice projects for the second quarter of the year through a video conference on 26-27 June 2023. “To ensure smooth and effective implementation, the bureau is spearheading the review to help the partners/collaborating agencies from various government agencies, and state colleges and universities in the process,” said Program Monitoring, Evaluation and Linkaging Division (PMELD) and rice focal Julie Ann L. Dulay.Technical experts and assistant professor Dr. Pompe C. Sta Cruz and Paul Joseph B. Ramirez from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) served as the evaluators during the review.The first project discussed was the Rice Business Innovations Systems (RiceBIS) implemented by DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute. It aims to create a development model for community transformation that is participatory, market-driven, and supported by a scientific production base to improve the competitiveness of rice-based farming communities through the establishment of farmer clusters. Economics and management expert Ramirez advised DA-PhilRice to document the entire process since they are developing a model. “Process documentation is very helpful for the evaluators to identify what will be continued in the completion report. Include also in the report information on the database on profiles of farmers,” he said.Implemented by UPLB, the project, Market Segmentation for Brown Rice: The Case of Metro Manila, was the next reviewed. DA-BAR Program Development Division (PDD) head Raymond Patrick Cabrera posed some clarifications/questions regarding this project. He asked, “Can we have the technical and policy recommendations sorted as short- and long-term ones to address the mentioned high price, unavailability, and packaging for brown rice and the strategies to link producers to consumers?”He added, “Who are the specific key players (groups, institutions) that we can tap or engage and partner with for these recommended strategies?” After this was the DA-PhilRice and UPLB collaboration project, Deployment of genetic resistance in the management of rice black bug S. Coarctata. After the latter’s presentation, Dr. Sta Cruz advised the project team to plan their next project for sustainability.   The main objective of the project was to improve management of Rice Black Bug through the use of genetic resistance. Specifically, to establish the screening methodologies for resistance to rice black bug. The last project presented was a collaborative project by DA-PhilRice and DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Improvement of the Rice Seed Information System (RSIS) for Scaling Up, Deployment, and Operationalization in Strategic Areas Nationwide. Ruel C. Gesmundo from the DA-BPI underscored that using the developed RSIS modules and apps require human interventions and total commitment of the industry players to use them, as well as their capacity to use through know-how enhancement, their interest and enthusiasm through inculcating the benefits and ease of using. He further shared that the partnership between RSIS and RCEF-Seed Program Component RSMS to extend the modules and apps of certified seed (CS) distribution and monitoring systems, which are now necessary to track the status of the CS and farmer-recipients, had also been started. The DA-PhilRice management also committed to support the project by allowing a staff to continuously make necessary improvements even after the project completion. Dr. Sta Cruz said that “you improve it through time,, but you have to buy hardware through DA-BPI.” To continuously develop this technology, he suggested DA-BPI to buy the hardware for sustainability. The RSIS as a tool is used for collecting, generating, processing, and sharing data through the use of ICT. In a nutshell, this project is expected to enhance the Philippine rice seed industry through a platform that can collect, consolidate, and disaggregate data on rice seed production and distribution levels for project and program planning, and implementation. Moreover, it will provide easy access for the intended users and beneficiaries of the system at the national and local level of reliable data and information for program implementation, decision-making, and policy formulation. PMELD assistant division head Julia A. Lapitan officially closed the review by reminding the implementing agencies to submit the required documents such as progress and completion reports.

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Mar 04, 2024

Harnessing the Queen’s Pineapple’s domain

Hailed as the sweetest pineapple in the world, the Queen pineapple (QP) from Camarines Norte is not just your average summer staple, it has proven its queenship in the agricultural sector of the country, manifesting new technologies, collaboration, and people empowerment.During the WD DAR Seminar Series of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research held on 21 March 2024 via Streamyard and Facebook Live, Jasmin M. Dacillo of the DA-Bicol Region shared her expertise on the farming system of Queen Pineapple.According to Dacillo, QP was one of the identity-defining commodities of Camarines Norte, manufactured into various forms such as juice, purée, tarts, and jams. Moreover, the leaves of QP are utilized for pineapple fiber processing, attracting significant interest from international markets such as the United Kingdom. Dacillo also reveals a projected demand value of 27.08 billion USD for QP in the Philippines by 2028, underscoring its pivotal role in the Philippine market.In her presentation titled, Queen ng Pinyahan: Pineapple-based Farming System, Dacillo shared the systematic process of the DA-BAR funded technology. The process encompasses various stages including selection of planting materials, land preparation, site selection, pests and diseases management, intercropping, and harvesting.During the selection of planting materials, Dacillo shared that it is important to choose the right size of suckers as it will greatly affect yield.“Ang recommended po namin ay iyong 51 to 70 centimeters (Medium to Large) po ang length and then, 200 to 399 po yung grams niya… kapag gumamit po tayo nito ay bibigyan po tayo ng magandang yield or mas malaking bunga compared po sa extra-large na kadalasan namumunga sa panahon,” Dacillo explained.After sorting the sizes of the suckers, the roots section of the suckers must be exposed to sunlight for drying for one week to prevent fungal infections. Dacillo said fungicide application can also be done during this curing phase.As per the technology presented, QP is planted in a double row planting method (100 cm x 50 cm x 30 cm) and can be cultivated in diverse environments, including under coconut trees, in open fields, and on hilly terrain. Additionally, it can be integrated into intercropping systems with other crops such as peanut, corn, and taro. While the typical harvest period spans 16 to 18 months, intercropping can enable farmers to reap yields as early as 4 months.Normally, 4 thorough weeding is done during the growing period of QP but if QP is planted intercropped with other commodities, it suppresses the growing of weeds depending on the combination of crops grown together.“Kapag may intercropping po, mas maganda at nakakatipid po siya, kasi doon sa intercropped namemaintain po ang kalinisan ng area,” Dacillo claimed.She also recommends applying pre-emergence herbicides such as Diuron or Karmex to suppress the fast growing of weeds in the area.As common practice, flower induction is done every 10-12 months after planting with the use of plant hormones (Ethephon) and urea. While fruit ripening is done 2-3 days before harvest with Ethrel. Additionally, QPs can also be enhanced with a gibberellic acid solution consisting of 2.5 grams of Berreline 90, small amount of 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, and water.Dacillo also presented different pest and diseases management techniques for controlling issues affecting QP, which include Pineapple Mealybugs, Birds, June Beetle, Butt Rot, Heart Rot, and Pineapple Wilt.“Sa pag harvest naman po ng ating pinya, ginagawa po ito 4.5-5 months after flower induction, 4.5 po without growth enhancer, kapag nag spray po ng gibberellic acid ay inaabot po siya ng 5 buwan,” Dacillo explained.In celebration of Women's Month, DA-BAR invited three female farmer-partners engaged in the project to share their experiences. Among them was Alicia Odiaman, who expressed her utmost appreciation for the project.“Malaking tulong po sa amin kasi yung mga intercropped po na namumunga sa pinyahan, habang naghihintay kami na mamunga yung pinya, may naaani na kami… Dahil din sa technology na itinuro sa amin, nakapag-ani po kami ng magandang kalidad ng pinya,” Odiaman shared.According to the project’s cost and return analysis, the intervention yielded an impressive 84.59% return on investment (ROI) specifically for queen pineapples. Additionally, intercropped crops showed significant ROIs: 75.68% for corn, 27.56% for peanuts, and 43.93% for taro.To further enhance crop yield and reduce planting costs, Dacillo shared that she has ongoing research currently focused on site-specific nutrient management for queen pineapple.

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Jun 16, 2023

DA-BAR, AFD-CIRAD convene for possible partnership on climate change resiliency

DA-BAR and Climate Resilient Agricultural Office met with key officials and representatives from CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to discuss the implementation of the technical assistance support for the research for development (R4D) policy reform agenda of the DA-Climate Change Action Program on 16 June 2023 at DA-BAR.Under the Philippine policy-based loan on the Climate Change Action Program (CCAP), the assistance is a strategy to ensure that research and development key players are equipped and ready for the implementation of the policy outcomes or commitments endorsed and approved by both the Philippines and ADB.AFD deputy country director Thierry Liabastre facilitated the meeting  wherein timelines and deliverables on the implementation of the technical assistance were discussed.Philippe Guizol and Jean-Marc Roda, CIRAD Public Policies and Sustainability Reforms team leader and Southeast Asia Island Countries regional director, respectively, presented their agriculture research agenda focus, as well as the possible technical support to programs focusing on climate change-vulnerable crops and commodities and other related areas. Meanwhile, ADB lead expert and policy analyst Lourdes Adriano discussed the possible role of the bureau in increasing the R4D funding in the country by 2024. DA-BAR director Junel Soriano, together with assistant director Joell Lales, highlighted the role of the bureau in the agri-fisheries R4D sector and sought further support from the organization toward the actualization of the said partnership.The meeting was part of the AFD-CIRAD’s inception mission that ran from 15 to 23 June 2023 aimed at fast tracking and finalizing the launching and implementation of the said technical assistance support.