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

DA targets P750 M R&D allocation for Mindanao
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon

January-March 2000
Volume 2 No. 1

Muslim Mindanao has remained underutilized and undeveloped despite the region's large agricultural and fisheries potential. However, this might soon change as the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) launch its Interregional Strengthening Program for Agriculture and Fisheries R&D in Muslim Mindanao Areas that will invest about P750 million in Mindanao R&D for the next five years.

Interregional Strengthening Program for Agriculture and Fisheries R&D in Muslim Mindanao

DAF-ARMM Sec. Thambeyapha Manjoorsa, Dr. Ponce, and Mr. Rolando Labios confer in a meeting held last February.

The project will have a multi-agency approach, with BAR as over-all facilitator, and will involve the collaborative effort among DA-RFUs, RIARCs, RIFRCs, LGUs, and Regional SCUs. The expected budget or "seed money" of P150 million for the first year will come from BAR (P120 M) and MakaMASA (P30 M). At the same time, partner institutions shall incorporate in their budgets continued allocation and provide counter-part funding for the project.

The P150 M budget for the year 2000 will cover three separate grants: the Institutional Development Grant (IDG); Direct Research Cost; and Special Projects.

The IDG will have a total budgetary allocation of P80 M, almost a 40% increase from its 1999 budget of P58 M. This will involve R&D infrastructure and human resource development, and productivity enhancement programs for personnel in agriculture and fisheries. Direct Research Costs and Special Projects will be apportioned P70 M to support National and Regional programs development, and special R&D projects for Muslim Mindanao and the DA-LGU partnership on research and extension linkage, respectively.

For National Programs development (P16+ M budget), high value commercial crops will have the largest allocation of almost P11 M. On the other hand, about P45 M will go to Regional Programs development with the Fisheries sector as the priority area.

Special R&D Projects for Muslim Mindanao
During the months of February and March 2000, BAR met with representatives from Regions IX and XII, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to discuss the components and objectives of a special R & D project for Muslim Mindanao. BAR Director Eliseo R. Ponce stated that, this new project will complement the current efforts of the DA in developing agriculture and fisheries R&D in Regions IX and XII and ARMM.

The major project component identified is the Lake Lanao Fish Resource Conservation Project in Marawi City, Lanao Sur. The Mindanao State University (MSU) will provide technical assistance in conducting the assessment of Lake Lanao with the support of BPI and the Regional Outreach Stations of Region XII and ARMM through the RIARCs and RIFRCs.

Likewise, another project, which will focus on genetic conservation, will be established in Sulu. The BPI, ZSCMS, MSU and DA-RIARCs will conduct research work on germplasm collection, and fruit technology/commercialization. The DA-ROS in Lungkiaban, Sulu will be developed into a seed garden/germplasm collection together with the Maridagao Station in Maguindanao as possible sites for this project.

Moreover, the project will also include a human resource development component that will give researchers the opportunity to pursue graduate studies.

DA-BFAR Director Abdugalfor Abdua on the other hand, stressed the need for added research support to the fisheries sector, particularly the seaweed industry. According to Dir. Abdua, conventional techniques on seaweed production have to be modernized and modified to further bolster this growing industry in Region IX. Specifically, this calls for new studies on tissue culture and drying techniques. Other projects that will be profitable is the improvement of the local variety of catfish in the Lanao Marsh, integrated abalone, lobster, and the establishment of fishery nurseries and hatcheries in ARMM where demand is constantly increasing. The commercialization of "pigek" or therapon is also lucrative since it is a high price commanding fish species found only in Lake Lanao.

Since most of the farmers in the Muslim Mindanao areas are antagonistic towards technology, ARMM Secretary Thambeyapha Manjoorsa proposed the use of the vernacular in information dissemination. The use of Jawi in information materials will help the farmers to better understand the benefits of new farming techniques and approaches, thus minimizing the use of some ineffective traditional farming methods.

To aid the farmers and fisherfolk in improving and putting up their agricultural business, Dr. Ponce stressed the need for national agencies to extend support not only in terms of technology provision but more importantly serve as catalysts in identifying markets for farmer products.

A meeting and site visitation to Marawi City was conducted last 17-18 March 2000 with Dr. Ponce, BPI Director Blo Umpar Adiong, top management of MSU that included its President and Vice-Chancellor for R&E, RIACR/RIFRC managers, representatives from the Regional Outreach Stations, LGUs, and staff from BPI and BAR. Visitation to Sulu will be conducted on 24-25April 2000. Moreover, it was agreed that the project will continue beyond the DA Secretary's term and is expected to have a higher pay-off than other projects in the region.