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NEWS & EVENTS

Jun 22, 2023

BIOTECH-UPLB-pioneered microbial inoculants for rice, corn, and cassava featured in DA-BAR webinar

Global zinc deficiency is a major problem today, and the Philippines is among the countries with widespread soil zinc deficiency. To address this challenge, the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-University of the Philippines Los Baños (BIOTECH-UPLB) developed microbial inoculants for rice and corn. University researcher Robert A. Nepomuceno talked about these microbial inoculants during the DA-BAR’s monthly webinar on 22 June 2023 conducted via StreamYard and Facebook Live. He also discussed the microbial inoculant developed to sustainable combat cassava phytoplasma disease (CPD).Microbial inoculants are intended to increase crop yield, enhance nutrient availability in the soil, improve uptake of plant nutrients, promote plant growth, stimulate biological processes in the soil, restore the soil’s natural fertility, act as a biological control agent against pests, and pathogens, and reduces the application of chemical fertilizers and production cost.“These inoculants are eco-friendly,” Nepomuceno added. He proceeded to explain the purpose of the three microbial inoculants featured in the webinar. First on the list was Oryzinc, which is an inoculant designed specifically for rice.“It contains zinc solubilizing bacteria, converts zinc in the soil into a form that plants can absorb, and decreases the zinc chemical fertilizer application in lowland rice, a crop sensitive to zinc deficiency,” he said. In vivo screening of top zinc solubilizing isolates shows that plants treated with the bacterial isolates show comparable results with the positive control. Second, Maizinc was designed specifically for corn. It is a microbial-based inoculant that contains zinc-solubilizing bacteria, converts zinc in the soil into a form that plants can absorb, and decreases the zinc chemical fertilizer application in corn. As to how the technologies were developed, Nepomuceno explained that there were several steps in the development of these technologies, which include the isolation and screening of microorganisms, efficacy trial through field testing in different areas, optimization of conditions for the production of zinc solubilizing microorganisms (ZSM) and shelf-life studies, and mass production of inoculant and DA-Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority registration and field demonstration.Part of the process was gathering feedback across farms from operators and stakeholders indicating their satisfaction and increase in crop growth because of the application of microbial inoculants for rice. Nepomuceno said that the application of Oryzinc contributes to rice resilience toward rice sufficiency. He further said that it has a greater yield as compared to the control. Also, the local products were promoted to the farmers, who were educated about their usage and application.“Oryzinc and Maizinc could help address the problem of insufficiency of rice and corn crops,” Nepomuceno said.Lastly, he discussed Bioplasma which is a microbial-based inoculant when supplemented with VAMRI, prevents the occurrence and regulates the severity of CPD. It promotes the growth of both healthy and CPD-infected cassava.  Nepomuceno explained “VAMRI or Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Root Inoculant is composed of Glomus mosseae and fasciculatum and is capable of replacing 50-100% of the plant’s chemical fertilizer requirement and has been reported to confer disease resistance against soil-borne phytopathogens.”Before the webinar ended, Nepomuceno underscored that there is an urgent need for the upscaling of the production of the technologies for nationwide utilization for organic agriculture, food security, and sustainable agriculture. 

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Jun 30, 2023

DA-BAR appraises the PSA palay production survey project

To address inadequate and outdated rice statistics, as well as update rice statistics for the rice database to serve as a basis for policy-making, the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) with funding support from DA-BAR conducted a nationwide assessment on costs and returns of palay production on May 2023 and will run until September 2023. The bureau conducted a series of field validation in Biliran, Palawan, and South Cotabato on 9-11 and 16-19 May 2023 and 6-8 June 2023, respectively. This is to assess the accomplishments and outputs vis-à-vis project objectives and targets; identify issues and problems, and recommend solutions and actions to improve project implementation; and document the significant accomplishments and updates. The field validation was done in four sample households in Naval, Biliran; four sample households in Roxas and El Nido, Palawan; and four sample households in Banga, Tantangan, and Tupi, Koronadal.By the end of September 2023, the project is expected to deliver the establishment of up-to-date production cost structures; benchmark and generate updated data sets on average use of material and labor inputs; generate other related socio-economic variables; and determine indicators of profitability.The dashboard for monitoring of survey activities presented by the PSA is found informative. It contains an information management tool that receives data from a linked database to provide data visualization and serve as a one-stop shop of information about the project. It shows that the dashboard presented by PSA offers high-level information in one view that end users can use to monitor project deliverables.The target beneficiaries of the project include the palay farmers. The data on production costs and returns can serve as a basis for their planning and programming activities. They can also use these data in selecting the most profitable set of crops to plant during a particular season. Moreover, both government and non-government planners and policymakers can use this data in designing appropriate programs and projects to boost the growth and development of the palay industry. 

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Mar 19, 2024

2024 DA-BAR sportsfest kicks off, highlights health and wellness in workplace

With the goal of promoting camaraderie and boosting solidarity among its staff while creating a healthy lifestyle through sports, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director led the lighting of the cauldron during the bureau’s kick-off ceremony for its 2024 Sportsfest on 11 March 2024 at DA-BAR Grounds, Quezon City. In his message, DA-BAR Director Soriano underscored that “The best team is not just who may get the highest ranking but a team who may make more happiness. Amidst the busy schedules of all employees, this is a time to connect and know each other, connect information for more happiness at DA-BAR and Bagong Pilipinas,” . Director Soriano also  led the lighting of the cauldron. Meanwhile, assistant director Joell H. Lales led the oath of sportsmanship for staff participating in various games, as they are grouped into five teams: Kunig (yellow), Mabaya (red), Kalimbahin (pink), Kahel (orange), and Lungti (green) led by key officials of the bureau.Bureau staff will participate in various sports like basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, darts, among others.The kick-off highlighted a parade, where each team drumbeat their chant and showcased their respective muses.  The Association of BAR Employees (ABARE) spearheads the activity.  #BagongPilipinas

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Jun 22, 2023

Web application for smart crop production and marketing launched

To help farmers modernize their farming and trading practices, a web application for smart crop production and marketing was launched on 23 June 2023 at Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. Developed by the J.H. Cerilles State College (JHCSC) through a DA-BAR supported project, the application can generate important information on the soil’s physical and chemical properties which aids in deciding the type and amount of fertilizer to be applied to grow quality high value crops. Aside from the soil, the web application also analyzes weather, climate conditions, and crop-land suitability maps and models for precise farming strategies.Termed as e-Pharian, the application also has a “buy and sell” feature where sellers and buyers can interact and trade. Farmers can post their available crops for sale in the app for interested buyers while  consumers  can post details of what crops they need for possible suppliers.Gracing the launch were Zamboanga del Sur governor Victor J. Yu along with other local government officials and farmers. DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano, assistant director Joell H. Lales, and technical staff Gian Carlo R. Espiritu also attended the launching which served as a venue in showcasing  the results of the project implementation and the soil fertility mapping of the province. The fertility maps will be used by farmers as a guide on which crops are suitable to be planted in their area. In addition to farmers, other expected beneficiaries of the web application are the DA regional office, local government units, researchers, technicians, and students in Zamboanga. The developed web applications will not only help the farmers modernize crop production practices, but will also create livelihood opportunities, generate income, and improve the quality of life of those in the agricultural sector of the province.

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Mar 15, 2024

PIF highlights ATBI's prime goal, accomplishments

“Generally, the program aims to build a vibrant agri-fisheries innovation and technology-based entrepreneurial ecosystem starting off with the catalyst as one of the key factors unlocking the potentials of agribusiness and agriculture as a whole,” Bernalin Cruz, PMELD’s ATBI program focal, highlighted in a Program in Focus episode focused on Agriculture Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) conducted on 15 March 2024 via Google Meet She furthered that the program aims to equip, strengthen, and empower them toward sustainability of commercializing mature technologies.The presentation outlined the bureau’s financial investment; number and types of projects funded in national, regional, and agency levels; and problems and challenges based from reviews and on-site monitoring as well as best practices and recommendations from focal persons and implementers.In partnership with 18 implementing agencies, a total of 26 research for development (R4D) projects were supported by the bureau from 2016-2023. These projects include the conduct of assessment and feasibility study,  and establishment as well as implementation of TBI. As among the successful implementers, ATBI programs of Capiz State University (CapSU) and DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (CVRC) were also highlighted in the presentation.CapSU’s Agribusiness Incubator currently offers innovation and technology support; knowledge and technology transfer; business development services; networking and partnership; infrastructure and administrative support; and financial services to  technology generators, agribusiness owners, students, and farmer cooperatives and associations.Meanwhile, DA-CVRC’s ADePT-TBI, the first DA-RFO-operated TBI in the country, has already transferred a total of 12 mature food processing and farm production technologies since 2021; and provided more than 40 training sessions and capacity-building to its incubatees. Anchored on the DA’s Inclusive Agribusiness program, the ATBI focuses primarily on increasing the capacities of R4D-based incubators  in managing agriculture and fisheries technology-based enterprises.Now on its fourth leg, Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division (PMELD) conducted the said activity, in an effort to improve the processes and strategies employed by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) from grants provision, monitoring and evaluation, and technology transfer

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Jun 19, 2023

Zero KM project partnership with BPSU inked

The DA-BAR signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Zero Kilometer (Zero KM) Project with the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) on 19 June 2023, as part of the Department of Agriculture’s commitment towards a food-secure nation.In his message, DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano expressed his full support for the project.“As the R4D arm of the department, the DA-BAR commits to providing its services to initiatives, such as the Zero Kilometer project, that responds to the call of the needs of the agriculture sector,” said director Soriano.The Zero KM project holds significant promise in enhancing food security, supporting local farmers, and preserving the environment. By encouraging the consumption of locally grown produce and minimizing transportation distances (hence the concept of food traveling “zero kilometer” before being consumed), the project strives to create a sustainable and healthier nation. The collaborative efforts of various government agencies and local officials in Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan demonstrate a unified commitment to achieving these goals. Under the agreement, DA-BAR will provide funding for the research that will examine the factors influencing supply and demand in the two municipalities, including commodity prices and expenditure movements by identifying the major stakeholders in the market economy and analyzing consumer behavior.Earlier that month, a joint ceremonial signing of the MOA for the Zero KM Project was held at the Office of the Secretary, DA Central Office. During the ceremonial signing, DA senior undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban underscored the initiative’s importance as part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to establish a food-secure nation. 