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Archives
February 16-29, 2001
RDMC special meeting held
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon
Following the appointment of new DA Secretary
Leonardo Montemayor last 6 February, the Bureau of Agricultural
Research has programmed its activities in line with
the 11 priorities of the new administration deliverable
within the next 100 days.
Montemayor’s agenda will be anchored
on these points: accelerating the implementation of
the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development
Zones (SAFDZ); addressing the smuggling activities in
the agriculture sector; implementing the Fisheries Code;
rural infrastructure; designing innovative credit and
financing schemes; effectively managing water resources;
implementing the MAKAMASA Program; enhancing trade and
fiscal incentives; developing Mindanao; recovering the
coco levy funds; and people empowerment.
R&D Investments
BAR’s first priority area is the acceleration of
the implementation of major provisions in the Agriculture
and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), particularly
in research, development and extension (RDE). As the
department’s RD/E coordinator, the Bureau will
be in charge of three major investment projects: the
launching of the Philippine Tropical Fruits Research
Center (PhilFruits) and the Philippine Corn Research
Center (PhilCorn); and groundbreaking of the R&D
Information and Management Center (RDMIC). With a budget
of P45 million each, PhilCorn and PhilFruits will serve
to develop viable and dynamic researches to modernize
and strengthen the corn and fruit industries. The Centers
shall be established in Mindanao and Davao, respectively.
On the other hand, the P137-million RDIMC will serve
as the “power house” of the R&D community
in Quezon City. It will be equipped with modern equipment
to facilitate information exchange among R&D constituents.
New Partnerships
On April 2001,the annual Farmer-Industry Advisory Committee
(FIAC) will be held to improve farmer-industry participation
in the formulation and implementation of RDE programs
in agriculture and fisheries.
Coinciding with this activity, BAR and
Winrock will formally launch the Pinoy Farmer Business
Development Project. The project will promote sustained
and market-driven support services to rural-based organizations
to empower farmers to develop competitive and profitable
businesses using communication technology. This P18.75-million
project will be implemented until 2003 and will have
three major elements: Market Aggression/Marketing Linkage;
Information Technology Support Systems Development and
Application; and Participatory R&D Approach.
Improving the Quality of RDE Governance
Under this major role of BAR as mandated in the AFMA,
four major activities are set for implementation within
100 days: Approval of NIRDEAPs, 2nd CERDAF meeting,
SSAC meeting, and the deployment of the Project Formulation
Team for the R&D Technology Transfer to Muslim Mindanao.
Four networks will present their National Integrated
RDE Agenda and Programs (NIRDEAPs) for review and approval
during the 2nd Council for Extension, Research and Development
in Agriculture and Fisheries (CERDAF) meeting this April.
BAR, in cooperation with the Agricultural Training Institute
will facilitate the event. As of the 1st meeting held
November last year, 16 NIRDEAPs have already been approved
for implementation by the CERDAF.
The NIRDEAP embodies the integrated thrusts
and directions for A/F RDE and contains priority programs
for a five-year implementation period. As provided in
AFMA, members of the NaRDSAF and the National Extension
System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NESAF) drafted
the NIRDEAPs with inputs from the private/industry sector.
Prior to the CERDAF meeting, BAR will
facilitate the first Senior Scientist Advisory Committee
(SSAC) Meeting for 2001. As an advisory body, the SSAC
will review all RDE programs prior to its submission
to the CERDAF.
To further develop the agriculture industry
in Muslim Mindanao, a project formulation team composed
of personnel from the Bureau of Plant Industry, BAR,
Regional Field Unit 12 and the local government units
in Mindanao will be sent to conduct an assessment of
possible project collaborations. BAR shall lead in the
preparation of briefing materials and handouts, and
shall consolidate the inter-agency report to be submitted
in May.
Other activities include the launching
of the Manual on Administrative and Fiscal Management,
and the Handbook on Monitoring and Evaluation of On-going
Projects in May and April, respectively. 
February 16-29 2001 Articles: ::
BAR sets priorities for first 100 days of new administration
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New DA sec: peasant champion
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BAR meets assistance program grantees target for 1st quarter
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Scientists and policy makers convene for a 2-day training on biotech
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Operational plans of PhilFruits established
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BAR sponsors symposium on biotech
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ISNAR hosts 2nd CGIAR-CDMT joint retreat
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RDMC special meeting held
::: More February 2001 articles :::
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