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

New sciences to produce more food
by Thea Kristina M. Pabuayon

July-September 2001
Volume 3 No. 3

Current farming practices are no longer enough to satisfy the food needs of the Filipino. Government must take seriously its bid to modernize the agriculture sector, shifting it from being a resource-based to a technology-based venture. The Department of Agriculture has the important task, therefore, to continually generate and use modern technology and new sciences to provide enough food for the poor and hungry Filipinos everyday. With this recognition, the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) under the Department of Agriculture has highlighted the importance of generating new technologies and using new sciences to end the problem of hunger in the country.

In celebrating the 3rd National Agriculture and Fisheries R&D Week on 2-6 of October 2001, BAR shall focus on the theme "New Sciences and Tools for Food Security." Members of the National Research and Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF) and key players from the agri and fishery sectors will convene in this event to celebrate and evaluate the accomplishments of research and development (R&D) in the country, with emphasis on new sciences and technologies.

This year's celebration of the R&D Week will be held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management Compound in Diliman, Quezon City and will feature four events, namely: the Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Day; International Agriculture Day, 13th National Research Symposium and the 14th BAR Anniversary.

The R&D Week will kick off with the Farmers' and Fisherfolk's Day on October 3. Highlighting this day is the "Ulat sa Bayan" program of the Commodity Network Team Leaders (NTLs) of rice, corn, fruits, vegetables, fisheries, coconut, and rootcrops. The NTLs will be making a comprehensive review of the industry, its opportunities, and the technologies generated for the past years. Manny Villar, Senate Committee Chair on Agriculture, will be the guest of honor. On the third day of the R&D Week, October 4, Senator Edgardo Angara will address delegates from international agricultural institutions as the keynote speaker and guest of honor to the International Agriculture Day. This event will feature an exhibit of international agricultural research centers (IARCs), a symposium on the new science and tools used by IARCs in addressing food security and poverty issues, and a meeting among scientists of the various research institutions. Participating IARCs will include the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), International Livestock Resources Institute (ILRI), International Potato Center (CIP), Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

To give recognition to the accomplishments of the agriculture and fisheries researchers in the National R&D System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF), BAR will hold the 13th NRS on October 5. The NRS is held annually to promote research excellence and effectiveness in managing the national agriculture R&D system. Farmer organizations, state colleges and universities, and national and regional research institutions will be recognized for their notable accomplishments in the different categories of agricultural and fisheries technology research, namely: upstream biological sciences, upstream physical sciences, upstream social sciences, midstream/downstream biological sciences, midstream/downstream physical sciences, and midstream/downstream social sciences. Entries will compete for the AFMA Research Paper Award-Published Category, which includes the BAR Director's Award and the DA Secretary's Award; and the AFMA Best Research Paper Award-Unpublished Category.

This year, DA Secretary Montemayor shall serve as keynote speaker and guest of honor.

Finally, the 14th BAR Anniversary will be held on October 5. This event will be highlighted by the presentation of awards for this year's NRS winners which include a cash prize and certificate of recognition for the winners of the AFMA Research Paper Award, additional cash prize and certificate of recognition for the AFMA Best Research Paper Award for each sub-category, cash prize and plaque of recognition for the AFMA Outstanding Research Paper (Unpublished Category) Award, cash prize and certificate of recognition for the BAR Director's Award, and cash prize and plaque of recognition for the DA Secretary's Award.