News

BAR to continue supporting basic research; traditional and modern biotech prioritized
by Rita T. dela Cruz

We need to continue the funding of basic research, particularly on traditional and modern biotechnology,” said BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar at the recently concluded “BAR Midyear Review and Planning Workshop” held in Lucban, Quezon.

Inasmuch as BAR recognizes the importance of applied researches given its direct impact on the lives of the farmers and fisherfolk, the bureau is not overlooking the importance of basic or upstream research in contributing new knowledge that may lead to breakthroughs and generate new technologies.

Basic researches are any experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new insights on the underlying foundations of physical and biological phenomena and observable events, without any predetermined application or use in view.

With the new direction and priorities set by the Department of Agriculture, the bureau has strengthened its support in the conduct of basic research aimed at addressing the emerging issues and concerns that beset the agriculture and fishery R&D. In particular, researches on agricultural biotechnology covering both modern and traditional biotech.

Although basic research results may not immediately find their way to adoption and utilization, Eleazar stressed that “conducting basic and strategic research is an investment for the future.” The underlying principles will later serve fundamental uses to research applications that are vital to technology generation.

Eleazar encouraged state universities and colleges (SUCs), through the bureau's regional coordinators, to submit quality proposals on basic research for funding support.

In 2007, BAR funded the conduct of five basic researches, most of them implemented by SUCs, namely: University of the Philippines Los Baños, UP Mindanao, and UP Visayas. The other two were implemented by a DA staff bureau (Bureau of Postharvest Research and Extension) and a non-government office (STRIVE/SIKAP Foundation).