Trainings/Seminars

BAR to conduct agri and fisheries forum and exhibit at SM Megamall

24 June 2008
Miko Jazmine J. Mojica

About 70 exhibitors from regions all over the Philippines will feature loads of exotic and exciting product lines derived from the bounty of our islands' natural assets at the Agriculture and Fisheries (A&F) Technology Commercialization Forum and Product Exhibit 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall on 21-24 August 2008.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), an attached bureau of the Department of Agriculture (DA), is spearheading the event in time for its 21st Anniversary celebration. The DA-BAR has been promoting the commercialization of emerging and appropriate technologies related to agriculture and fisheries to boost the growth of this sector. These technologies and the products made out of them are results of research and development efforts of the DA's attached offices, state colleges and universities, local government units, non-government organization, and private sector which collaborate with the bureau.

The agriculture and fisheries sector, which remains to be the major driving force towards improving the economy, is positioning itself as a market-driven and profitable venture which can compete in terms of quality and accessibility in the global market. Through the National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) initiated by BAR, our farmers and fisherfolk are empowered to sustain quality production, processing, and marketing of high-value and indigenous commodities which is attractive to today's discriminating and health-conscious market.

The event will highlight the sale and exhibit of a variety of fresh, processed, and manufactured goods from fruits and vegetables to meat, poultry, and seafood, to organic products and striking handicrafts made of high-grade indigenous fibers sourced from the different regions nationwide. Another highlight is the conduct of informative and practical seminar-workshops and forum open to all for free that will focus on agribusiness, organic agriculture, and health and wellness.

Since 2005, the DA-BAR has been regularly conducting technology commercialization exhibit and forum in the national and regional levels with a limited audience. This year, the bureau is showcasing the bright prospect of the agriculture and fisheries sector to reach a much bigger audience from all walks of life.

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For interested exhibitors and sponsors, please contact the Technology Commercialization Unit at (02) 928-8505 locals 2626, 2627, 2621; email tcu@bar.gov.ph

You may also visit http://www.bar.gov.ph for more information about the bureau.

Borlaug Program (for scientists seeking MS degrees in the US.)

The cornerstone of the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program (Borlaug Fellows Program) is faculty and scientist exchange programs with developing countries. The program provides short-term scientific training for international agricultural research scientists and policymakers from selected developing countries. Each Fellow is assigned a mentor who will coordinate the Fellow’s training and visit the Fellow's host country after completion of the training. Training venues include U.S. land grant universities, USDA or other government agencies, private companies, not-for-profit institutions and international agricultural research centers.

Geographic Coverage

The program is open to participants from developing and middle income countries. At this time, the priority regions of coverage are Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia, with active programs in Afghanistan, Africa (women from Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia), Algeria, Armenia, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Central America, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guyana, Morocco, Oman, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, Serbia-Montenegro, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Vietnam, and Yemen.

Background

The United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) has established the Norman E. Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellows Program in honor of Nobel Laureate Norman E. Borlaug. This program is an outcome of USDA's Ministerial Conference and Expo on Agricultural Science and Technology that was held in Sacramento, California, in June 2003. The program fosters developing countries' in adopting and adapting agricultural science and technology.

Purpose

The purpose of the Borlaug Fellows Program is to help countries strengthen their agricultural practices through the transfer of new science and agricultural technologies. The program encompasses a wide variety of agricultural technologies, including those related to production, processing and marketing. The program also addresses obstacles to the adoption of technology, such as ineffectual policies and regulations. Areas of training can be in any agriculture-related field, and include traditional areas such as agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, veterinary sciences, microbiology, agricultural economics, but also may include food safety, sanitary and phytosanitary topics, environmental sciences, agricultural biotechnology, global climate change, water quality and management, among others.

Training Focus

The objective of the Borlaug Fellows Program is to provide promising young scientists with an opportunity to work closely with U.S. and international specialists in their fields of agricultural science. During a four-to-six week training period, selected Fellows will work closely with their chosen mentor, learn new research techniques, access fully equipped libraries, and learn about public-private research partnerships. Fellows will also have an opportunity to learn about graduate curricula in agricultural research. It is expected that the Fellows will apply the knowledge obtained through the program in their own research and teaching activities, and share it with colleagues at their home institutions and throughout their country. Fellows can be trained at U.S. universities (especially land grant universities), international agricultural research centers, international organizations, and private sector research and policy centers.

Upon returning to their home institutions, Fellows will be expected to present a seminar on their research activities. In addition, a Program-wide seminar and workshop will be scheduled in their country or region in the year following the fellowship. The event will consist of presentations by Fellows and their mentoring scientists to the academic and agricultural research community. The purpose of the workshop is to identify areas of mutual interest and promote networking and further collaboration among host country and the mentoring agricultural scientists. Participants in the Borlaug Fellows Program must agree to return to their home institution for at least two years following their training experience so the goal of establishing ongoing international collaboration can be achieved.

Training Program Design

Each training activity reflects the philosophy that training in an agricultural science should provide the Fellow with sound technical knowledge and the opportunity to test and practice new skills and knowledge in practical situations. Therefore, most programs offer a mixture of technical instruction and practical field experience. Training programs are specifically designed in accordance with the training objectives discussed during the interview and application process. It is important that the application contain detailed information on the candidate’s background and research interests.

How to Apply

Eligibility