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

Philippine biotech moves forward
The Department of Agriculture (DA) together with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and other DA agencies held the first meeting of the DA-Biotechnology Advisory Team on January 2003. The team met with representatives from BPI, Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products Standards (BAFPS), Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) to discuss AO No. 8 or the "Rules and Regulations for the Importation and Release of Plants and Plant Products Derived from the Use of Modern Biotechnology."

P.3M support for plant genetics and seed system proposed
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) proposed an allotment of P300,000 to support the development of plant genetics and seed system in the regions. The proposed amount is part of the basic institutional grant of P5 million, awarded by BAR to each regional research center in support of infrastructure and human resources development. According to BAR, it is time to push such initiatives since many big national and international research institutions have adopted saving biodiversity and conserving plant genetic resources as core of their research and development agenda and programs.

GSDP strengthens grain sector
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) created the Grains Sector Development (GSD) Scholarship Program, which cover master of science (MS) and doctor of philosophy (PhD) degrees. The GSD is given to researchers from the Department of Agriculture (DA) Regions 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and leading state colleges and universities (SCUs) such as University of Southern Mindanao (USM), Central Mindanao University (CMU), and University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Lorenzo envisions a dynamic corn industry
Department of Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo gave an inspirational message during the 1st Annual Philippine Corn Symposium and Planning Workshop held at Montevista Resort, Pansol, Calamba City, Laguna on January 15-17, 2003. In his message, Lorenzo said that he would like to see the results and the resolutions proposed during the workshop translated into doable common sense objectives. He also discussed Philippine agriculture in relation to the global market, the six commodities his administration is focusing on, and the need for practical applications of scientific researches and establishing linkages.

Scientists, leaders discuss El Niño
The Unites Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific-Coarse Grains Pulses Roots and Tubers (UNSCAP- CGPRT) Center, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), and Farming Systems and Soils Research Institute (FSSRI) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) organized the, "In-Country Seminar on El Niño Impacts and Strategies." This was held at BSWM, Diliman, Quezon City on February 7, 2003.

BAR, ASTI collaborate
The Bureau of Agricultural Research signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) on January 29, 2003 at the UP Technology Park, Diliman, Quezon City. The MOA provides for a joint project on the "Development of a High-Performance Research and Education Network (The Philippines' Research Education, and Government Information Network or PREGINET)," funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Postharvest restructures networks and subnetworks
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) issued a memorandum to restructure the National Postharvest, Food Science and Nutrition Network (PFSN) and transform the Grains Postharvest Subnetwork into the National Product Quality Systems Sub-network (PQSN) and Postproduction Network (PPN). The restructuring involved significant changes on the network composition and priority programs.

BAR director sets 7-point agenda
Dr. William C. Medrano, the new Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director, formally assumed office on February 17, 2003. Medrano succeeded Dr. Eliseo R. Ponce who started as BAR director in 1998. With his seven-point agenda, Medrano is intent on having BAR play a more proactive and dynamic role with urgency to realize President Macapagal-Arroyo's mission of a modernized Philippine agriculture.

BAR strategically charts plan for 2003
The Bureau of Agricultural Research strategically mapped out its plans for the first quarter of the year through an evaluation and planning workshop on February 6-8, 2003 in Calamba, Laguna. The Bureau evaluated its performance and discussed its resource allocation to provide clearer options in the prioritization of programs and activities given the limited funding for research and development.