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Archives
January 16-31, 2003
Postharvest restructures networks and
sub-network
by Karen A. Salandanan
 In
accordance with the "one system, one program"
approach and the implementing rules and guidelines of
the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA),
the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) issued a memorandum
recognizing the restructuring of the National Postharvest,
Food Science and Nutrition Network (PFSN) and Grains
Postharvest Sub-network into National Product Quality
Systems Network (PQSN) and Postproduction Network (PPN),
respectively.
Restructuring entails significant changes
on the network composition and priority programs. Both
networks conducted an interface meeting to delineate
their functions and arrive at a more defined program
thrusts. Subsequent separate meetings of PQSN and PPN
led to the creation of a new core technical team, national
expert's team and Farmer-Industry Advisory Committee;
and selection of member institutions.
Dr. Ma. Concepcion C. Lizada of the College
of Home Economics spearheads the operation and management
of PQSN. Its member institutions include the UPLB (NCPC,
BIOTECH, IFST and CHE), UP Diliman (CHE, MSI and NSRI),
UP Manila (CPH), Ateneo de Manila University, NFA, BAI,
NNC, FNRI, PCARRD, PNRI and ITDI.
Since the Bureau of Postharvest Research
and Extension (BPRE) in accordance with EO No. 494 has
the mandate to cover the postharvest program in agricultural
crops, it shall serve as the lead implementing agency
of PPN with Engr. Ricardo L. Cachuela as its national
team leader. Member institutions involved in grains
postharvest sub-network will be retained except CLSU
and CSU. Other member institutions such as Postharvest
Horticulture Training and Research Center; IFST and
CEM, UPLB; Region VIII and Leyte State University were
included to address the postharvest aspect of horticultural
and root crops. The expertise of the above-mentioned
institutions was identified in order to facilitate institutional
development and coordination of researches conducted
under PQSN and PPN.
In conjunction with these changes in network
structure, the National Integrated Research, Development
and Extension Agenda and Programs (NIRDEAPs) of these
networks were revised to set a concrete direction in
addressing the needs of farmers, industry players and
consumers for improved product quality, increased value
of agricultural commodities in international market
and increased income.
PQSN's vision is an enhanced image of
the Philippines as a reliable supplier of quality agricultural
and fisheries products. It aims to: (1) develop and
support the adoption of appropriate production-marketing
systems and technologies to meet market quality and
safety requirements; (2) characterize the nutritive
value of selected food and food products and promote
key products through the generation of relevant data
(i.e. dietary fiber, antioxidants); and (3) strengthen
the national capability to monitor quality and safety
parameters in agriculture and fisheries products. To
achieve these goals, three sub-programs, namely: quality
assurance systems, quality and reliability and nutrition
were established. The Core Technical team (CTT) members
of PQSN will also serve as sub-program leaders.
For PPN, its vision is a dynamic postproduction
RDE program characterized by effective implementation
resulting to maximum utilization and adoption of improved
technologies for the reduction of postharvest losses
and improvement of product quality while its mission
is to ensure the reduction of postharvest losses by
1% per year. Its priority programs will cover not only
postproduction concerns on grains but also on horticultural
and root crops. These include (1) improved post harvest
handling, processing technologies and postproduction
mechanization; (2) food and feed protection and conservation;
(3) technologies on emerging products and by- products;
and (4) postproduction instrumentation.
These networks are in the process of finalizing
their NIRDEAP for presentation to the members of the
Senior Scientists Advisory Committee (SSAC) at the end
of the first quarter of this year. The SSAC will determine
if the identified priority programs/areas are relevant
to the problems/needs of stakeholders. 
January 16-31 2003 Articles: ::
Lorenzo envisions a dynamic corn industry
::
Scientists, leaders discuss El Niņo
::
BAR, ASTI collaborate
::
DA-agencies and staff bureaus assess 2002 performance
::
Call for research proposals
::
Urban Agriculture Network sets ball rolling for 2003
::
Postharvest restructures networks and sub-network
::
IPGRI appoints new director general designate
::
Sex pheromone traps reduce pesticide misuse
::
First NSRI-BAR research fellowship grantee presents paper
::: More January 2003 articles :::
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