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Archives
May. 1-31, 2004
Importance of soil
and water highlighted; Medrano keynotes 7th PSSST confab
by Rita T. dela Cruz
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| BAR Director William C. Medrano
giving the keynote address during the opening programof
the 7th PSSST Annual Meeting and Symposium |
The country’s foremost soil scientists
and soil researchers assembled on 20-21 May 2004, Benguet
State University (BSU) for the 7th Philippine Society
of Soil Science and Technology, Inc. (PSST) Annual Meeting
and Symposium. This scientific meeting provided the
venue for the exchange of scientific ideas and in being
aware of the current status of soil science research
in the Philippines. This meeting enabled participants
from the different sectors i.e., academe, government,
and private sectors, to interact and share important
research outputs and expand scientific orientation on
soil science.
The two-day activity was composed of
scientific sessions wherein PSSST members were invited
to present scientific papers addressing the theme, “Likas-kayang
Pangangalaga ng Tubig at Lupa: Susi sa Kasaganaan”.
There were six simultaneous sessions to cover various
subtopics. The business meeting reviewed the PSSST constitution
and by-laws to make it more relevant to the Society’s
management and operations. The agenda include: redefining
an “active member” to an inactive status,
retaining the definition of “member in good standing,”
and re-organizing the scientific divisions from eight
to four.
Providing this year’s keynote address
was Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) Director William
C. Medrano. In his speech, he highlighted the importance
of water and soil as two of the most important resources
we have right now. He stressed that soil is a key natural
resource, however, its importance has not been fully
recognized as much as the other natural resources. Compared
to the attention given to water and air, public attention
given to soil is but minimal. He cited two important
bills of national significance that have been signed
recently in recognition of the importance of air and
water: the Clean Air Act of 1999 (R.A. 8749) and the
Clean Water Act of 2004 (R.A. 9275). These two landmark
laws, he said, only show the importance of these two
valuable resources—air and water. He then questioned
the lack of an Act to protect the Philippine soil and
posted it as a big challenge to the soil experts during
the confab.
He also mentioned three major issues
and concerns regarding soil erosion and how our soil
experts could address them immediately, such as: land
degradation, soil exhaustion, and soil erosion. He also
emphasized the thrusts of DA-BAR on the issue of soil
management. He proposed agroforestry as the main solution.
According to him, one way to do this is through the
landcare approach, a technical and institutional innovation
for conservation farming, which had been successfully
implemented in Northern Mindanao. He mentioned how this
type of approach could greatly improve the adoption
of resource conservation practices, reduce resource
degradation, and most importantly, provide guidance
in the future development and effective delivery of
extension services to small landholders.
Also attending the meeting and symposium
were Mayor Nestor B. Fongwan of La Trinidad, BSU President
Rogelio D. Colting, and PSSST President Clarita P. Aganon.
May 1-31 2004 Articles:
:: Sec. Lorenzo gives recognition to 6 successful Bt corn farmers
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BAR, Worldfish Center project boosts local milkfish industry
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DA-BAR, Landbank sign MOU for national technology commercialization program
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DA celebrates Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Month
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Region 2 GIS technicians undergo hands-on training
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Importance of soil and water highlighted; Medrano keynotes 7th PSSST confab
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ALAP strengthens data management capacity in agriculture
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Woes and chances of the agriculture sector
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Is your soy sauce safe?
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