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NEWS & EVENTS

Jan 01, 2024

Promoting urban farming through automated aquaponics system

Capiz State University, in collaboration with the Local Government Units of Capiz and fisherfolk cooperatives and association, is conducting a research project for the establishment of a small-scale solar-powered and Internet of Things (IoT)-supported aquaponics geared towards an eco-friendly urban farming system. Dr. Rey dela Calzada, project leader, cited that aquaponics system will utilize water efficiently through its recirculating system, limit waste and effluents, and increase density of crop production. Also, it has an efficient two-in-one production system for producing two agricultural commodities. The research considers African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as culture commodities because of its suitability to certain parameters and selection criteria such as tolerance ability to high nutrient levels, possibility of year-round production, and strong market value. The smart aquaponics system with installed sensors is expected to retrieve data that can be accessed in real time through the  internet-based mobile applications. Data include levels of pH, dissolved oxygen, and water; temperature of water; and amount of ammonia, nitrate, and fish feed. With funding assistance from the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the said aquaponics system will be evaluated in terms of its performance, production, and economic viability that can attract commercial farmers and home gardeners  and address the growing interest in locally grown food.

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Jan 09, 2023

Farmer-friendly microbes: Enhancing productivity, counteracting soil-borne disease in organic vegetables

Not all kinds of microorganisms are harmful. Although microorganisms become readily attached to diseases and infections, you probably have heard of “good bacteria” playing vital roles in the human body such as optimizing food digestion and improving one’s immunity. The same is true for plants.Due to their succulent root system, vegetables are highly dependent on beneficial soil microbes and nutrients for optimum growth. However, this also makes them vulnerable to soil-borne plant diseases and infections.In 2022, Caraga State University (CSU) started implementing a research project to determine the effects of biochartilant, a microbe-loaded biochar, on soil fertility, incidence and severity of soil-borne diseases, soil microbe diversity, and the productivity of selected vegetable crops. The study focuses on promoting a good population of three known beneficial microbes - bacillus, Trichoderma, and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the soil to optimize crop productivity while counteracting soil-borne diseases to highly susceptible crops like bitter gourd. From agricultural waste to biofertilizer“Aside from soil degradation and incidence of soil-borne diseases, unutilized farm waste products become contributory to the drastic decline in the yield of major horticultural crops – in which vegetable group is the most affected,” CSU assistant professor and project leader Reuben James Rollon explained.In response, CSU researchers utilized agricultural wastes like coconut shell, coconut coir, sawdust, rice hull, cacao pod, and corn cob in formulating biochartilants. In doing so, the said agricultural wastes were converted into biochar through the process called pyrolysis.Biochar made from coconut shells showed the highest population of bacillus even after 30 days of storage. Further, those that were applied with coconut shell and oil palm waste showed two- and four-times higher bacillus counts as compared to media without biochar application. Meanwhile, experimental trials conducted using different biochar formulations showed an increased number of Trichoderma on the different carrier formulations except in coconut coir. Among the materials used, carbonized rice husk revealed the highest population of the microbe.“With the best formulation of microbe-loaded biochar, the study targets to come-up with an ideal and low-cost soil amendment that will benefit farmers,” project leader Rollon said. Niching microbes on the beneficial sideOn-site trials were conducted by CSU in determining the effect of a well-formulated biochartilant in enhancing crop productivity and lowering the incidence of soil-borne diseases such as bacterial wilt.After confirming the presence of soil-borne pathogens in the field, the research team planted bitter gourds and measured the incidence of the bacterial wilt. Initial results of the study showed that plots without biochartilant developed severe wilting eight weeks after transplanting. In contrast, bitter gourds treated with biochartilant showed no symptoms of soil-borne infection.Moreover, the application of the biochartilant boosted the yield of the experimental crop. As compared to a 5.20 tons/hectare yield through farmer’s practice, the bitter gourd’s yield increased to 13.71t/ha after the intervention was made. Hence, the application of the biochartilant promotes optimum growth and performance of bitter gourd resulting in an enhanced productivity yield.“These microbes are really potent in promoting plant growth and suppressing soil-borne plant diseases by acting as effective biocontrol agents. Hence, a good population of these three in the soil benefits the farmers through enhanced crop productivity and disease management,” project leader Rollon said. There’s more for vegetable farmersWith funding support from the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the project aims to contribute to the productivity of vegetable farms through the use of enhanced organic agricultural practices in vegetable farming systems in the country.To date, the study continues on determining other influences of the biochartilant application to vegetable farming. On-going experimental trials are currently being conducted and analyzed on how biochartilant application affects the population of parasitic worms and other beneficial microbes in the soil; crop growth and nutrient absorption affecting overall crop growth; and productivity of other susceptible crops such as tomato.By utilizing the results of the study, CSU, along with other partner agencies, envisions capacitating vegetable farmers with technology interventions they can use in their farms.  With high hopes, the research-bred technology underway sets to provide the vegetable farmers not just in the region but in the country with low-cost and highly effective soil amendments to boost their productivity and profit. 

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Jan 15, 2024

DA-BAR reviews ongoing and completed projects under HVCDP and AFMA-Crops

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) reviewed ongoing and completed projects under the High Value Crops Development Program and Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act-Crops research for development (R4D) on 9 January 2024 via Google Meet.The activity, facilitated by the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division, intended to determine the status of said projects, coordinated and supported by the bureau, and offer recommendations to the implementers to ensure delivery of accomplishments and  results.The projects reviewed include the Analysis of Food Demand and Supply Structure in the Municipalities of Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan (Zero Kilometer Food Project or 0 KM) of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), and the Upscaling Regional Capacities on Urban Agriculture towards Nutrition Sensitive Crop Production through Edible Landscaping (EL) of the University of the Philippines Los Banos Foundation, Inc. (UPLBFI). The completed 0 KM Food Project of BPSU had analyzed various facets of agriculture in Hermosa and Dinalupihan, Bataan. This involved profiled key players in the market economy, determined the high-value crops consumed, produced, and traded; assessed the consumption practices of households, producers, and traders; analyzed the food supply and demand performance; traced the movement pattern of the commodities; and identified the problems of producers, consumers, and traders, and suggested possible solutions to their problems.As for the ongoing Edible Landscaping project of UPLBFI,  the project encompassed different regions through the DA-regional field offices (RFOs), including Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Zamboanga Peninsula, Central Visayas, Davao Region, Quezon City, and for evaluation Cagayan Valley, MIMAROPA, andBicol Region. As part of the project, the EL team has identified suitable crops for EL in urban conditions, developed site-specific EL garden designs and technology demonstration gardens for the selected DA RFOs. Furthermore, technical resources to agriculture extension workers were provided, hence, established and strengthened. An  EL training of trainers manual was also packaged for finalization. The team also ensures evaluation of the established EL gardens as well as the conduct of the cascading of co-learning activities to agriculture extension workers' respective constituents. 

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Jan 12, 2023

UPLB releases handbooks to promote agricultural livelihood options

The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), through the UPLB Foundation Inc., released a series of publications titled, May Pera sa Agrikultura.Funded by DA-BAR, the first installment features quail raising, mango production, native pig raising, organic agriculture, and organic soil amendments. Management practices and economic indicators based on respective assumptions were presented in each handbook.Further, success stories of beneficiaries and adapters of the technologies were also featured to inspire more farmers and raisers to benefit from the technologies. Quail RaisingAuthored by Cisima P. Lavega, the handbook shared tips on how to venture into quail farming business, growing and rearing management including housing and facilities, and brooding management. Popular quail eggs and meat recipes are also featured in the handbook.With an initial cost of production of PhP 43,336 in one season, a raiser can generate a total income amounting to PhP 60,250.  The return on investment for the first and second year is 28.36% and 53%, respectively. Native Pig RaisingTo further promote native pig raising in the country and its potential, Carla Alilie Lontoc-Junsay and Jorge Michael D. Dominguez summarized discussions on native pig breeds, breeding, feeds and feed management, management practices including herd management, and housing.Operation cost from grower to finisher is estimated at PhP 112,245, a net income of PhP 22,755 can be realized in a year with three production cycles per year. Mango ProductionAs a number of publications on mango production have already been published, Dr. Calixto M. Protacio and Johnrell S. Zuniega put emphasis on the agribusiness aspect of mango production in this handbook.Aside from scheduling production, the book also discussed the site selection, canopy management, flower and fruit regulation, crop protection and nutrition, and harvesting and postharvest operations.A net income of PhP 245,945 per hectare can be noted from a PhP 48,854.63 production cost. Organic Vegetable FarmingOffering concepts and practical information on organic farming, Dr. Blesilda M. Calub and Nadine B. Coronado prepared a handbook for organic vegetable growers, practitioners, trainers, advocates, and even teachers.From getting familiar with organic agriculture, topics on how to grow organic vegetables, organic pest management and the business prospects were presented. Organic Soil AmendmentsDr. Gina Villegas Pangga, in her authored handbook, further aims to promote composting and soil organic amendment. These include benefits and products of composting, ways and keys to produce quality compost including right ingredients and used materials, among other things.Considered capital intensive in the beginning (approximately PhP 500,000), it is a money-spinning business in a short time with one possibly earning PhP 212,040.

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Jan 03, 2023

DA-BAR OIC-director inspires employees to serve with passion

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales encourages all its employees to work with positivity and passion in delivering the mandates of the bureau, hence, further improving its research for development (R4D) services. This he stated in his New Year’s message during the first flag raising ceremony at the bureau for 2023. “Like the three wise men who followed the Star to reach Bethlehem, let’s always seek the light, let’s all be continuously enlightened in what we do personally and in the workplace, as the light will guide us to better aspects, better level of ourselves for our families and for our work. Let us all look forward, positively and let this radiate to our ultimate beneficiaries– the farmers [and fisherfolk].” OIC Lales said.He also reminded everyone that they are using government resources, and it should be spent and invested wisely. But he added that everyone should always find time to enjoy their work in a way that it will feel like they are just living their passions and their dreams.“Make your work fruitful yet enjoyable and let us always foster a harmonious working relationship with everyone, without baggage, just working freely, speaking freely, moving freely as this office is our second home, our second family.” Lales added.He also encouraged employees who want to pursue further studies to do it now for their personal development and advancement. He directed the monitoring and evaluation group to document more impactful success stories from the BAR-funded projects for the last 35 years as he rallied the employees to pursue progress in everything they do.“Again, let us welcome 2023 with much excitement and passion to be able to deliver our mandate alongside our pursuit to elevate our BAR of Excellence. The success of BAR is everyone’s success.” Lales ended his speech with emphasis on this.

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Jan 05, 2023

Developing an adlay enterprise in Zamboanga Peninsula, enhancing adaptive capacity of IPs

Focused on developing a sustainable adlay enterprise for farmers in the marginal areas, DA-Zamboanga Peninsula implemented a project to capacitate IP farmers and associations in the region and enhance their adaptive capacity to adlay production technology.Funded through Republic Act No. 11494 or the “Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” being coordinated by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, the said project also involved rebel returnees as beneficiaries.According to Engr. Roger O. Bagaforo, the lead proponent of the project, they target to increase productivity and income of adlay farmers, and address food security in marginal areas in the region.“We are approaching this project in a holistic way, aiming towards the development of adlay from production support, postharvest handling, value adding or product development, and marketing that will further enhance the sector with farmer-centric approach,” said Engr. Bagaforo.During its six-month implementation, the project served and reached out to adlay farmers in marginalized areas and registered about 486 adlay farmers and 27 farmer-groups, mostly are IPs and rebel returnees located in Camp Salman, Zamboanga Sibugay, in support of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict program. However, some tribal leaders were not in favor of enhancing the pangase, an adlay-based wine, because it contradicts with their religious beliefs.The safety restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic made it extremely hard for them to reach out and identify farmer beneficiaries.“Nag-start itong project na ito noong 29 December 2020, kaya talagang mahigpit noon. Hindi kami basta-basta makapasok [sa kanila] makapag-assess ng mga adlay farmers noon,” said John Paul Guadalupe, science research specialist from DA-Zamboanga Peninsula and was one of the people involved in the project.“Kasi bawat municipality ay mayroong checkpoint, kailangang magpaalam muna kami sa mga local government unit (LGU) para makapasok at magawa namin yung kailangan naming gawin para sa project,” added Guadalupe.Regardless of these challenges, they extended technical assistance to adlay farmers by giving emphasis on precise farming using the research findings and adlay package of technology-generated by the DA-ZamPen-Research Division. Apart from the assistance, DA-BAR also provided equipment in the postharvest of adlay.Under the project, farmer-friendly adlay production guides and other IEC materials were produced and packaged. These were translated to the local dialect and encouraged partner-LGUs to establish an adlay production area in their municipality to promote and encourage other farmers to plant. 

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