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NEWS & EVENTS

DA-Bicol Region launches TeknoMerkado, showcase R4D products

The DA-Bicol Region and the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) launched the DA-Bicol Region's TechnoMerkado on 20 February 2024 at the regional office’s compound in San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur. The TechnoMerkado embodied the integration of research for development (R4D) breakthroughs and technology promotion in the field of agricultural research. This initiative was meant to disseminate advancements in agriculture to industry experts in both public and private sectors, by fostering accessibility to valuable information and enhancing efficiency and productivity in all agri-based products.Around 130  food and non-food products were showcased. Also, 30 Farmers Cooperative Associations participated who also showcased their respective products at the DA TechnoMerkado.During the launching, Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla, undersecretary for DA Bureaus underscored the need to further advance the majority of locally-made products by adhering to acceptable standards to have a strong edge in competing in the export market and ensure sustainability. As a rejoinder, DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano underlined that from the development of technologies, its application and implementation should immediately  reach the marginalized sector of farmers and fisherfolks. This is to enable them to reap its benefits while addressing the challenges of food sufficiency and profit. He also emphasized that technologies should then be scaled up through innovative strategies and development. The event also saw the emergence of the DA-BAR funded projects and generated technologies in the region such as queen pineapple, native chicken feeds,  tissue culture planting materials, and various products from mushroom, pili, ragiwdiw or seagrass, and the veggie chips. In 2007, DA-BAR funded the establishment of the Regional Technology Commercialization Center, which has now evolved into the "DA TechnoMerkado," providing intellectual property assistance, technology incubation, and showcasing matured technologies.The launching of TechnoMerkado was led by DA Bicol Regional Executive Director Rodel P. Tornilla, and attended by other regional officials and staff, in the presence of majority of farmers beneficiaries.

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Apr 27, 2023

Market awaits processed organic vegetable, fruit products in Cavite

“In collaboration with the Department of Education, we conducted a survey revealing students’ high interest in buying vegetable chips and natural fruit juices as their snacks at schools in Cavite. Two institutional buyers and grocery owners in the province signified willingness to purchase our products as soon as it becomes commercially available,” DA-Cavite Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (CARES) researcher Eva B. Pugay reported during the completion review of projects under the National Organic Agriculture program on 27 April 2023.In 2021, DA-CARES research team led by Pugay implemented a project to determine the demand and market potential of processed organic fruits and vegetables, and capacitate Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative in fruit and vegetable processing.Survey showed 179 out of 187 elementary students want vegetable chips and fruit juice products. Among the top two choices are squash and mixed pinakbet for vegetable chips, and  guyabano and langka for fruit juice.“Grocery owners in the province are committed to buying our products even if our production becomes big enough,” Pugay stated.Through the funding assistance of DA-BAR, the research team cooperated with the said cooperative situated at Castaños Cerca, General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite.The members are engaged in integrated organic farming of various crops, livestock production, organic fertilizer and vermicomposting production, and organic fruits and vegetables production before the implementation of the project.Aside from promoting a nutritive and safe snack for consumers, Pugay explained that the project shall contribute in sustaining the production of organically grown crops by augmenting the income of organic farming practitioners. “Some of the produce of our farmers become unprofitable particularly during the lean season,” she mentioned.“Napatunayan ng aming value chain analysis na malaking tulong na matuto ang aming mga magsasaka na i-proseso ang mga prutas at gulay na kanilang inaani upang ito ay mapakanibanagan at mabawasan ang pagkasayang,” Yakap at Halik Multi-Purpose Cooperative-Cavite Chapter chair Gabriel Arubio said.Members of the said cooperative were trained in good manufacturing practices and in processing organically grown vegetables and fruits into chips and juice powder through the use of vacuum fryer. Moreover, the members of the cooperative were also assisted to come up with an organizational structure.“Through the research, we were able to strengthen the capacity and boost the confidence of organic farming practitioners here in General Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite by confirming the potential demand and institutional buyers of the processed organic vegetable and fruit products,” Pugay added.To date, the project is to be recommended for its second phase of implementation that will mass produce and commercialize the organic fruit and vegetable products.

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Feb 15, 2024

Soriano participates in NAST Focus Group Discussion

In a bid to address experiences on the policies and regulations adversely affecting Philippine R&D Output within the procurement system in the Philippines, stakeholders from government agencies, civil society of organizations, and the private sector convened for a Focus Group Discussion on the Alignment of the Philippine R&D System from a Domestic to a Global Network, on 15 February 2024 at Manila Prince Hotel. Spearheaded by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), the discussion aimed to identify challenges, discuss best practices, and propose actionable recommendations for reforming the existing procurement processes.Participants commenced the discussion by examining the intricacies of the current procurement process. Emphasis was placed on the involvement of various stakeholders, ranging from government entities to suppliers and contractors. Several attendees also highlighted procedural complexities as major obstacles to efficiency.Director Junel B. Soriano briefly presented the bureau’s position on the procurement system and provided recommendations such as strengthening the advocacy to use an Integrated Management System (IMS) for the modernization and digitalization of the processes, involving research personnel in the workshops concerning the improvements being made, and having an optimum staffing requirement for a Procurement Office or  Unit within the agency.The conversation shifted towards an evaluation of existing legislation and regulations governing procurement activities. Participants acknowledged the Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184) as a cornerstone piece of legislation but emphasized the need for greater enforcement and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and accountability.Furthermore, identifying common challenges proved instrumental in making a way for constructive dialogue on potential solutions. Participants underscored the need for digitalization and capacity building initiatives to streamline processes and enhance the capabilities of procurement officers. Additionally, the discussion opened opportunities for collaboration with international partners and the private sector to leverage expertise and resources.Before the activity ended, the implementation of actionable recommendations and the monitoring of progress were highlighted. Participants assured that they will  remain actively engaged in ongoing reform efforts, underscoring their collective commitment to advancing the public interest through enhanced procurement practices.

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Apr 20, 2023

Promoting Good Agricultural Practices through DA-BAR webinar

“Ang atin pong mga farmers ay mayro’n nang kaalaman, ang importante lang is dapat ma-guide natin sila sa mas tama,” said Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) inspector and DA-Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (LARES) chief Virgillia D. Arellano  during the DA-BAR webinar on 20 April 2023 through Cisco Webex and Facebook Live.PhilGAP, a program established by DA-Bureau of Plant Industry in accordance with the Food Safety Act of 2013, aims to promote and implement Good Agricultural Practices among farmers, processors, traders, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector in the Philippines.In the said webinar, Arellano highlighted the four components of PhilGAP comprising food safety, produce quality, environmental management, and the health, welfare, and safety of workers. She then went on to discuss the 5S approach, which promotes cleanliness and organization in the workplace and explained how it can also be implemented in agricultural operations.According to Arellano, the primary objective of PhilGAP is to ensure that agricultural products are produced, handled, and processed using safe and sustainable practices that meet the requirements of both domestic and international markets. By following GAP standards, farmers can minimize the risks of food safety hazards (biological, chemical, physical) and environmental impacts while improving the quality and competitiveness of their food products.“Ang ating PhilGAP ay harmonize with the ASEAN GAP, so pwede tayo makipagsabayan sa mga produkto na mayro’n ang ating mga karatig na bansa,” Arellano said.During the webinar, Arellano also shared information about the DA-CALABARZON PhilGAP Certification Scheme, which serves as a guide for farmers seeking PhilGAP Certification. The scheme comprises 12 steps that farmers must adhere to in order to receive their certificate. A new development involves the PhilGAP Outscaling project in Magallanes, Cavite, which aims to provide certification to farmer partners.One of the successful farms certified under PhilGAP is the MAGSAMAKAME farmers' cooperative located in Magallanes. With support from the Jollibee Group Foundation and their GAP certification, the cooperative has expanded its market and increased its tomato supply. Currently, they deliver a minimum of 500 kilograms of tomatoes per order to Jollibee.Despite its benefits, PhilGAP has not yet been implemented throughout the Philippines, and Arellano mentioned that compared to other ASEAN countries, where thousands of crops are GAP certified, the country lags behind.

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Apr 26, 2023

Lales underscores R4D in Batanes

“As part of the DA family, we are not competing with each other but rather complementing each other while also remaining the best at what we do. Because that is what our clientele, the farmers and fishers, are expecting from us: remaining best at what we do,” said DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research OIC-director Joell H. Lales during the inauguration of the R&D building of DA-Batanes Experiment Station (DA-BES) on 26 April 2023 in Basco, Batanes.OIC-director Lales and DA-Cagayan Valley regional technical director for Research, Regulations, and Finance and Administrative Concerns Rose Mary G. Aquino, PhD led the inauguration.The DA-BES, which is one of the research stations of DA-RFO Cagayan Valley, is tasked to generate and disseminate information and technologies that would respond to the needs of the agriculture and fisheries sector in the province. The R4D facility–which was upgraded to climate-resilient standards, sustained and enhanced R4D services, such as capacity building training activities for farmers, students, and agricultural extension workers, development seminars, and other technology-transfer activities, await farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector of Batanes. Prior to the inauguration, OIC-director Lales joined Batanes LGU officials in the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the agro-trade and tourism fair during the opening of the 238th foundation week of the municipality of Ivana through the invitation of municipal mayor and former DA-BES center manager Celso B. Batallones.As part of the celebration, an agro-trade and tourism fair were also held highlighting wakay (sweetpotato)—Ivana’s staple crop. 

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Feb 20, 2024

Bicol region strengthens R4D undertakings, MOAs sealed

Aimed to reinforce DA's research for development (R4D) undertakings in the region, DA undersecretary for Bureaus Mercedita A. Sombilla, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Junel B. Soriano, and DA-Bicol Region regional executive director Rodel P. Tornilla signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for various R4D projects on 20 February 2024 at the DA-Bicol Region, San Agustin, Pili, Camarines Sur.DA-BAR shall support the conduct of studies on corn and cassava, queen pineapple, and organic farming. Establishment of a tissue culture laboratory, development of a Technology Business Incubation Program and the scaling and enterprise development will also be supported. The bureau likewise aims to sustain the management and operations of the Bicol Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Resources, Research and Extension for Development Network.Director Soriano briefly discussed with the researchers other potential R4D proposals with the station aligned with the priority agenda. He also underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration and partnership among local and international stakeholders from the government agencies, universities, research institutions, and private sector to enhance product development and packaging of publishable research papers.Following this, the key officials conducted site visits to ensure smooth implementation of various R4D initiatives as well as the ongoing operations of the supported R4D facilities in DA-Bicol Region.Director Soriano reiterated the bureau’s commitment to supporting agricultural initiatives and fostering further research collaboration and support on crop post-harvest processing, plant genetic resources, native chicken, mushroom, tissue culture, organic agriculture R&D center, pelletized alternative low-cost grower feed ration, market assessment and refinement of veggie chips, and site-specific nutrient management for queen pineapple production. The continuous operations and services that the facilities offer were also lauded.DA-Bicol Region technical staff presented the status and accomplishments of the R4D initiatives and facilities. DA-Bicol Region regional technical director Edgar R. Madrid, RTD for operations Mary Grace DP. Rodriguez, and Research Division OIC-chief Ailyn R. Adante were also present.