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NEWS & EVENTS

Jan 19, 2023

In-house webinar highlights Oyster Mushroom

Titled, Healthy Snack: Oyster Mushroom Crackers, DA-BAR kicked off its 2023 monthly seminar series with Dr. Emily A. Soriano, project leader of the oyster mushroom project funded by the bureau. The said seminar was held on 19 January 2023 through Cisco Webex and Facebook Live. Best served in pasta and omelets, oyster mushroom is known for their nutritional content such as antioxidants and fiber that can control blood sugar and avoid inflammatory effects. With this, Dr. Soriano and her project staff were able to formulate mushroom crackers made with cassava flour, salt, sugar, and black pepper to provide an alternative snack for vegetarians or people with pre-existing health conditions. These mushroom crackers also contribute to even out high demands for plant-based food. “Lumilitaw na ang mushroom ay nagtataglay ng iba’t ibang klase ng bitamina. Mayroon itong mataas na porsiyento ng iron, calcium, at B-complex na makikita rin sa isang multi-vitamins,” said Dr. Soriano as she also explained that processing oyster mushroom will not compromise its health content, hence, its nutrients are more concentrated. Implemented by DA-Central Luzon, livelihood opportunities were expanded as this was an offshoot project from the previously conducted Community-Based Participatory Action Research on Upland Vegetable-Mushroom Farming. The product, through technology transfer, was able to reach out to several cooperatives and associations such as the Binbin Women Gardeners’ Association (BWGA) located in General Luna, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija. The BWGA is an indigenous peoples women's group that earns through upland farming. However, participatory rural appraisal revealed that the majority of the members have an average monthly income of PhP 5,000 which is considered below poverty threshold. In line with this, the BWGA has adopted the oyster mushroom technology, later on, capacitated on processing mushroom crackers from raw sourcing to packaging. Currently, the BWGA is a manufacturer earning PhP 1,800 weekly by processing 5 kilograms of mushroom crackers. This serves as an opportunity for other cooperatives, associations, and individuals looking for additional income. Fried mushroom crackers weighing 50 grams can be sold at PhP 80 with an investment and net profit of PhP 32.50 and PhP 47.50, respectively. This also has a return on investment (ROI) of 146.15%. Meanwhile, unfried mushroom crackers weighing 100g can be sold at PhP 75 with 97.37% ROI. For 250g, ROI is at 124%.

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Jan 29, 2024

Farmers engage in field day in Sto. Niño, Cagayan

To immerse the farmers from Sto. Niño and Solana, Cagayan on off-season onion production and balanced fertilization and pesticide use strategy and eventually transfer these technologies to them, the DA-Cagayan Valley organized a field day on 23 January 2024 at Centro Norte, Sto. Niño, Cagayan.Salvador M. Bulda of DA-Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) showcased the off-season onion production technology which included the use of Super Pinoy variety, rain shelter, raised beds, and cropping period of August to December, as well as soil analysis-based fertilizer management and use of calcium boron, and integrated pest management employing the use biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma. The said technology was made available through the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research-funded scaling out project implemented by DA-NVES.Meanwhile, spearheaded by Edelwina T. Valdez and showcased by Rowena A. Fernandez of DA-Southern Cagayan Research  Center, the technologies for vegetable production included  the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, foliar fertilizer, organic and inorganic pesticide management, biological control, and cultural management practices.“We are thankful to DA-Cagayan Valley for granting us the opportunity to cultivate off-season onions and explore balanced fertilization and pesticide use strategies. Though it was initially challenging, akin to nurturing a newborn, the rewards were evident in the bountiful crop,” said farmer-cooperator Ramon M. Daquioag in mix Ilocano and Filipino.“We wholeheartedly embrace this technology, recognizing its significance in securing our livelihoods and empowering us to educate fellow farmers in other barangays in Sto. Niño, Cagayan,” said farmer-cooperator Charibel T. Uy in mix Ilocano and Filipino.Gracing the activity were DA-Cagayan Valley led by its Research Division chief Chonalyn A. Pascua, Sto. Niño vice mayor Andrew Vincent R. Pagurayan and municipal agriculturist Rosalie S. Tumaneng, and Centro Norte barangay captain Orlando D. Simeon. 

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Jan 17, 2024

Web applications introduced to farmers of Zamboanga del Sur

The J.H. Cerilles State College in Zamboanga del Sur has completed a project focused on improving crop production and marketing for local farmers through developed web application tools. Funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), the project aimed to make life better for local farmers by using web tools to improve their crop growing methods. Dr. Jerry B. Superales, the project leader, shared specific goals, including determining soil quality, understanding limits of crops due to soil and weather, and creating maps showing where crops can grow well. The project also made web tools for smart farming and selling crops, giving real-time data about soil, crops, and fertilizer recommendations.The project's findings indicated that the whole province has different soil types and pH levels. The maps and web tools made by the project helped farmers easily get information about their soil. These tools let farmers choose the right crops for their land, learn about soil quality, and make decisions based on weather, making farming more efficient and resilient.With the completion of the project, recommendations and ways forward were considered. These include sharing information with farmers, customizing fertilizer use based on soil needs, and organizing training for farmers to use the web tools and maps effectively. The DA-BAR also suggested making the data input process simpler for farmers and expanding the mobile app to become a direct market platform for consumers.The project was presented during the review of DA-BAR-funded projects under Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act research for development on 17 January 2024 via Google Meet, facilitated by the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division.

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Jan 20, 2023

DA-SCEC holds meeting; seeks higher DA career scientists nominations

The recently reconstituted Scientific Career Evaluation Committee (SCEC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a meeting on 18 January 2023 at the Crop Research Biotechnology Center, DA-Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija to discuss the terms of reference of the committee and evaluate the applicants for possible conferment to the Scientific Career System.Focused on encouraging more DA employees to apply and be career scientists, the need to re-orient DA operating units on the processes and significance of the scientific career system and thereby enjoin them to create, in their respective units, an SCEC where initial screening and coaching of applicants shall be undertaken, was also underscored in the meeting. Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Scientist IV and chief of the Training Division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), as the newly designated committee chairperson, presided over the meeting and was joined by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research director Joell H. Lales, as the co-chairperson, members of the evaluation committee, and secretariat. In his opening message, DA-SCEC chairperson Dr. Santos expressed his humble appreciation of the opportunity to lead the committee. DA-SCEC co-chairperson Lales, as the former chairperson of the committee, formally introduced and welcomed Dr. Santos as the committee chairperson. He also expressed his appreciation to the new chair and committee members for accepting the call to be part of the reconstituted committee.Dr. Roel R. Suralta, Scientist III and director of the Crop Biotechnology Center, DA-PhilRice; Dr. Ofero A. Caparino, Scientist I and OIC-assistant director of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization; and Dr. Danilda H. Duran, Scientist I and head of the Reproduction and Physiology Section of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center, in their capacity as committee members, put forward recommendations  to further systematize the screening and evaluation process. Plans to enhance the DA guidelines, in line with those of the Scientific Career Council of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-SCC) and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) were also discussed by the group. Dr. Leny C. Galvez, Scientist I and head of the Immunology and Molecular Biology Laboratory of the DA-Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority, also serves as a committee member.The DA, through the SCEC, hopes to boost the participation of DA researchers to the SCS and give due recognition to their role in agricultural development. Created in 1990, the DA-SCEC is tasked to conduct the screening and evaluation of documents submitted by the nominated applicants from DA units; conduct validation of accomplishments and other relevant functions of the applicants based on the guidelines set by the DOST-SCC and CSC; and recommend qualified applicants to the DA secretary for endorsement to the DOST secretary. 

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Jan 25, 2024

WD Dar seminar kicks off, Regenerative Agriculture tackled

“Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is an approach, a paradigm in considering all these things relevant to sustainable development goals and the impacts of climate change… Resilience is much higher than sustainability.”This was among the highlights of William D. Dar, Go Negosyo’s senior adviser and Department of Agriculture’s former secretary, as he served as the first resource speaker of the relaunched seminar series of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on 25 January 2024 held both virtually and at the Escaño Hall, RDMIC Bldg., Diliman, Quezon City.With its first topic, titled Regenerative Agriculture (RA): Feeding and Sustaining the World, Dar outlined the environmental effects of agriculture; main pillars, applicable technologies, and current efforts and initiatives of global partners and the Philippine government toward promoting RA. The RA’s applicable technologies include balanced fertilization, efficient irrigation, integrated pest management, precision farming, and molecular breeding.Dar furthered on the RA’s facet on dealing with climate resiliency, most particularly in attaining a sustainable world food system. “The new agriculture is also anchored on the sustainable development goals,” Dar said.As part of the presentation, several economic benefits of RA which include: enhanced resilience to drought and floods resulting to increased stable crop yields; reduced farmers’ dependence on costly farm inputs; improved soil fertility and crop health contributing to sustainable and increased crop yields; and promotion of economic value of food through production of healthy and nutritious products were highlighted.“Push R&D technological advancements and innovations to utilize or upscale regenerative agriculture,” Dar said as he urged the bureau and other stakeholders in the Research for Development in putting up an RA R4D program.The then DA-BAR seminar series was renamed to WD Dar Seminar Series in recognition of the valuable contributions of the bureau’s founding director, Dar. This was participated by the bureau’s technical staff and online viewers via streamyard and bureau’s official facebook page. 

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Jan 26, 2023

DA-BAR chief visits solar-powered irrigation system in CLSU

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell Lales, together with Research Program Development Division head Raymond Patrick Cabrera and other DA-BAR officials and staff, visited the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija to look into the mobile solar-powered hose reel irrigation system (SPHRIS) studied and established under the DA-BAR-funded project “Renewable Energy Powering Agriculture: Integration of Photovoltaic Technology with Farm Production System.”During the site visit, Dr. Edgar Orden, CLSU president, and Dr. Armando Espino Jr., vice president for Research and Extension and project leader, highlighted the practicality and performance of the mobile SPHRIS in providing cheaper, cleaner, and reliable crop irrigation in remote areas. Currently demonstrated in the CLSU grounds, the SPHRIS is a climate-smart technology that utilizes PhotoVoltaic technology–converting sunlight into electricity–thereby addressing uncertainties associated with fluctuating availability and price of diesel fuel. Composed of a hose reel and mobile solar-powered pump, the SPHRIS can be moved from farm to farm; thus, allowing reach to distant farms, as well as generation of areas to be irrigated for crop production. Moreover, the use of hose reel irrigation, as highlighted by Dr. Espino, increases irrigation efficiency as it “allow[s] for efficient distribution of irrigation water and eliminates conveyance losses when using canals or ditches.”The project collaborated with selected onion and rice farmers cooperatives and associations at Brgy. San Agustin, San Jose City and Brgy. Licaong, Science City of Muñoz, respectively, in testing the mobile system.Seeing the potential of the innovation and technology that the project has developed, DA-BAR director Lales encouraged the team to pursue further activities to ensure that significant R4D outputs such as this would be upscaled, especially to remote, rural areas of the region and beyond, to boost agricultural production and improve farmers’ incomes. Nearing its completion, the project targets to implement some modifications to the system, such as lowering the position of panels for easier transport and testing for other potential functions as a power source for small farm machineries. 