BAR TODAY || Official Quarterly Publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research

Fifteen team leaders of the National Research, Development & Extension (RDE) Networks, presented their respective agenda and program including activities, budget, and plans at a seminar meeting on April 26 at Lake Caliraya, Cavinti, Laguna.

In order {or the networks to accomlplish their activities, appropriate funds must be first approved.

In the meeting, it was agreed that BAR would provide fund for the mobilization of the networks. The fund will amount to 1.3 to 1.6 million depending on the needs of the networks. This was an answer to the networks' problems on lack of budget to manage and operationalize their activities.

Another support that will come from BAR is the provision of computers and peripherals to the networks for purposes of interconnectivity. These are notebooks with modem for team leaders and printers, scanners and copiers for the network's offices. A web page for each network will also be created. They will be included in the budgetary support of BAR from April 1999 to March 2000. The provision of the equipment to the networks is part of the establishment of a knowledge management system. The networks need to communicate to keep one another abreast of their respective activities. These equipments will also enable the networks to gain access to the National Information Network (NIN).

Also in the meeting, the team leaders were asked to prepare the RDE agenda and program of their networks. The team leaders were given a guideline and format for the uniformity of presentation.

The programs of the different networks should coincide and take into consideration the concerns of the Municipal Development Plan and the State Universities and Colleges of their locality. It was also discussed that the networks should have a yearly consultation with the Farmer Industry Advisory Council (FIAC) set within the months of April and May.

To keep track of the developments of their projects, each net- work should conduct a regular re- view. It should be conducted in three levels: institutional, regional and international levels.

Another concern, of the meeting was the propositions on personnel incentives. It was suggested that the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) honorarium rate be used as an incentive for team leaders and assistant team leaders. Travel grants to Asia to study the situation of the commodity concerned and to acquire further knowledge was also suggested.

The other incentives discussed were the preparations of the guidelines for the retention of the most outstanding and best researchers and the increase of salary for other personnel.

Problems of the networks were also raised. Some of the networks said that they are dwelling on manpower problems. At present, they are scouting for more experts to join the Core Planning Team (CPT) to help them in the planning and implementation of better programs. Their problem on financial matters was already addressed and given a solution.