Archives

Vol. 4 No. 3
February 1-28, 2003
BAR director sets down 7-point agenda
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon

Dr. William Medrano, new BAR director, presents his 7-point agenda during the turnover ceremony.

The winds of change have again come to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Last February 17, Dr. William C. Medrano assumed directorship of the DA's Bureau of Agricultural esearch (BAR), the lead agency that manages the country's agriculture and fisheries research and development.

Medrano succeeded Dr. Eliseo R. Ponce who assumed office in 1998.

With only 15 months to lead the Bureau, Medrano is intent on having BAR play a more proactive and dynamic role coupled with urgency to realize President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's mission of a modernized Philippine agriculture. "BAR shall institute bold and urgent steps in making R&D significantly contribute to Secretary Luis Lorenzo's goal of increasing income of farmers and fisherfolk, generating more jobs, greater food sufficiency, and stable food prices in basic commodities," Medrano explained.

Towards this end, Medrano is set to implement a seven-point agenda, namely:

1. Appropriate more resources on the conduct of applied and on-farm researches (OFRs) following the farming system perspective to fast track technology promotion, adoption and create immediate impact on farmers and fisherfolk.
   
   "This has been the policy pronouncement of the (DA) Secretary - to focus our resources on applied and adaptive research. From the very words of the Secretary, we should not focus so much on classroom research," Medrano said. "I know that it will be fulfilling for all of us when we'll see our farmers and fisherfolk flash the smile of contentment on their faces and by then, we have partly fulfilled our mission at BAR and in our careers," he added.
   
   
2. Support priority high impact R&D projects that have direct bearing on the development of small and medium enterprises and, more importantly, the income generating capabilities of resource-poor farmers and fisherfolks.
   
   Accordingly, this will focus on the six basic commodities that the DA Secretary has given emphasis: rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, vegetable, and aquaculture.
   
   
3. Develop collaboration among existing R&D systems, consortia, networks, and SCUs at the national and local levels to enhance sustained growth in agriculture.
   
   
4. Strengthen the capability of the DA R&D system and foster active partnership with the LGUs and other concerned institutions in the region.
   
   "I understand that BAR was initially created to manage the DA R&D system and therefore, we must strengthen it to effectively cater to the needs of the people," Medrano said. Along this line, Medrano reveals that selected RIARCs and RIFRCs shall be developed to become centers of excellence in R&D focusing on strategic commodities like what is already being done in rice. "It is because there is a specific and world-class research facility institution that takes care of this commodity (rice) that makes it so successful in this approach. This should be true for all major commodities," Medrano explained.
   
   
5. Institutionalize the planning and implementation of an integrated and unified R&D agenda of both DA-BAR and DOST-PCARRD/PCAMRD.
   
   
6. Develop mechanisms using information and communication technology (ICT) and other means to enhance sharing and exchange of relevant information and technologies to fast track decision making and technology adoption.

   Medrano noted Dr. Ponce's efforts in bringing BAR, including its networks and partner institutions, throughout the country to the level of ICT development that it has today. "All that is left is to further develop mechanisms to enhance sharing and exchange of relevant information and technologies using this ICT to fast track decision-making and technology adoption," said Medrano.
   
   

7. Advocate policies that promote sustained growth in agriculture and to develop strategies to increase investments in R&D both from the government and private sector here and abroad.
   
   Patterning from DA's "May dating na, may aksyon pa", Medrano wittily coined BAR as an acronym for "Bigay Agad Resulta."

Outgoing BAR director Eliseo Ponce (left) shales hand while passing the symbolical logo to new BAR director William Medrano (right) during the official turnover.

Concluding the presentation of his agenda, Medrano credited his predecessor for leading BAR to what it is today. "The direction has been clearly set; the plans strategically laid out and ready to be implemented for the year and next years to come or until there is another change of guards after the next 17 months or so. I am emboldened with the thought that he has made my work, and thus, my life easier as the next director," Medrano said.

Likewise, Medrano expressed confidence in working with BAR's existing circle of networks and "the same people will be working with me. I am certain of the pleasure and privilege of working with this select group of people. Let us join together, firm in our conviction and certain to where we want to go." Medrano added.

February 1-28 2003 Articles:

:: BAR director sets down 7-point agenda
:: BAR strategically charts plan for 2003
:: BAR directorship is now Medrano's responsibility
:: State of the Art: Agricultural Commodity Research
:: Luzon Zonal Research Center readies for action
:: Medrano chairs CABI’s executive council
:: Seeds of change: lessons learned
:: Coping with El Niño the Isabela way
:: Cracking the coconut oil myth

::: More February 2003 articles :::