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NEWS & EVENTS

Sep 28, 2021

Mushroom, vegetable processing technologies make its way to women’s association and IP community

The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Central Luzon’s technologies on mushroom crackers and vegetable noodles were officially turned-over to Binbin Women Gardeners’ Association (BWGA) and Binbin Igorots Association (BIA) during the Technology Transfer Ceremony and Product Launching cum Field Day on 28 September 2021 at Sitio Binbin, Brgy. General Luna in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.The said activity was part of the project titled, “Upscaling of Mushroom Crackers as Additional Income Source of Indigenous People in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija in Support to ALPAS-COVID 19” funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR). The project aimed to upscale mushroom crackers as a healthy snack for Filipinos through BWGA by mass producing the product and marketing it to various Kadiwa markets and social media platforms.DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril and DA-Central Luzon Research Division chief Dr. Irene M. Adion led the ceremonial transfer of technologies as well as the signing of the memorandum of understanding, and awarding of processing equipment to BWGA and BIA.In his message, Dr. Mamaril commended the improvement of the product quality since its development. He provided comments and suggestions to make the product competitive and penetrate the mainstream market. Further, he stressed that compliance to needed requirements and good manufacturing practice shall ensure the quality and safety of the product.Expressing his gratitude, Dominguez Palangyos, BIA chairperson said, “Kami po’y nagpapasalamat sa mga project na binibigay ninyo sa amin at kahit na pinakaliblib itong area namin ay natagpuan ninyo....sa katotohanan naman ay malaki ang naitulong nitong project dahil nadagdagan ang kabuhayan namin.”“Maraming salamat po sa pagbigay ng project na ito sa amin. Madami pong naitulong at naging impact ito sa amin. Sa paggawa pa lang po ng mushroom crackers, natutunan namin gumawa at mag-produce rin ng fruiting bags,” Crystal Diaus, BWGA secretary added.Both associations hope that the developments made by the project will be sustained in their community. Further, seeking for continuous support in the establishment of their own office and processing facility.The activity was attended by the members of BWGA, BIA along with the officials and representatives from the DA-Central Luzon and the LGU of Municipality of Carranglan. 

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Sep 15, 2021

Dragonfruit production, disease management highlight monthly in-house webinar

Streamed live by 364 viewers, the dragon fruit production and disease management highlight the monthly in-house webinar of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research held on 15 September 2021 via Facebook.Plant pathology expert Dr. Mark Angelo Balendres of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding served as the resource speaker.He discussed the benefits of consuming dragon fruit; the business of growing the fruit; and the production, management, plant diseases, as well as the research and production prospects.Dragon fruit is considered as “the new money crop” by the DA-Bureau of Plant Industry. One kilo of the fruit costs around PhP 120-150 in the local market.According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, total production area and volume increased more than 10 times from 2011 to 2020. Dr. Balendres shared that the national average of production is at 3.2 metric tons per hectare.Based on reports, dragon fruit production can be profitable with good management practices.Dragon fruit production requires an open field with direct exposure to sunlight. Soil should be sandy loam with high organic content and well-drained with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5. Dr. Balendres encouraged interested growers to reach out to their municipal agricultural offices for a soil analysis to ensure that it is healthy for dragon fruit production.The production of dragon fruit relies on sunlight and temperature. Hence the fruiting time in the Philippines is from May to October. However, this can be extended through off-season production by introducing additional lighting.He stressed that some dragon fruit varieties would not bear fruit without successful pollination. Assisted pollination is not required for self-fertile varieties but is encouraged for bigger fruits. In contrast, it is necessary for self-sterile varieties.Harvesting at 28-30 days after flowering will give the ideal quality of the fruits. These can be stored at five degrees Celsius for up to four weeks or 20 degrees Celsius for up to seven to 14 days, depending on varieties.“Stem canker and anthracnose are major dragon fruit problems. Field sanitation, healthy planting materials, and avoiding overhead sprinkler irrigation are some of the measures to mitigate disease impact,” explained Dr. Balendres. 

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Sep 22, 2021

UPLB-IPB turns over planting materials, starter kits to DA

In line with its goal to enhance the availability of Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)-developed varieties and technologies to seed growers and farmers, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)-IPB turned over seeds, seedlings, and Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) hydroponics starter kits (3S) to the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Urban Agriculture Program on 22 September 2021.The abovementioned planting materials and starter kits were produced from the program titled, “Research for Development (R4D) Towards Upscaling of IPB-developed Varieties and Technologies,” which was funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research under the Stimulus Package for Agriculture under the Bayanihan Act II.Agriculture Secretary William Dar, in his message, believes that the partnership between DA and UPLB can be elevated much more, especially in this new normal environment, to meet the growing needs of the country. “Dapat may sapat na pagkain. Hindi lang sapat na pagkain, dapat din ang ating pagkain ay ligtas at nutritious,” he said.Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., UPLB chancellor led the ceremonial turn-over of R4D 3S to Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry assistant director and Urban Agriculture Program national director.Chancellor Camacho, Jr. mentioned that this is an important undertaking of the university in support to the agriculture department’s Plant, Plant, Plant Program. The program shall cover at least 10 DA-Regional Field Offices under the following components: 1) vegetables, field legumes, and root crops; 2) fruit crops; and 3) plant health and SNAP hydroponics.  Specifically producing breeder seeds, breeder stocks of roots, planting materials, quality seeds and seedlings, among others while enhancing the testing and evaluation of elite lines and germplasm of various crops. 

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Sep 30, 2021

DOST, DA join forces for the 1st Technology Transfer Forum

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), together with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), co-hosted the 1st DOST-DA Technology Transfer Forum via Cisco Webex and Facebook livestream on 30 September 2021.Serving as a platform for technology developers and potential investors to engage in knowledge exchange about science and technology and research for development-supported breakthroughs of DOST and DA, the forum covered eight farm machineries and 11 food-related technologies.With the goal of making the country an innovation achiever, DOST secretary Dr. Fortunato Dela Peña highlighted that “if you want to help the country, make a mark in the global innovation landscape. Choose a Filipino invention and invest on our local technologies. These are extraordinary times and we must take extraordinary actions to collaborate, to help out, and to rebuild our economy [and] our science and technology creations.” Examples of farm machineries to possibly invest on include multi-purpose seeder, rice transplanter attachment, local riding-type rice transplanter, rice combine harvester, rice harvester attachment, adlay milling machine, greenhouse solar dryer for food grade cassava, and compact corn mill. Food-related technologies, on the other hand, include chevon valley canned products, chevon products in retort pouch, goat products, tilapia ice cream, gracilaria seaweed products, products from cacao wastes by-products, vacuum-fried jackfruit, various mungbean food products, batuan various products, nipa-based products, and queen pineapple products. The business pitches of the 19 generators highlighted target market, business model, roadmap and traction, marketing and sales, and financials, among others.During his opening message, DA secretary Dr. William Dar commended the technology developers as relentless partners towards a technology-empowered agriculture and fishery sector contributory to inclusive growth. He also encouraged the private sectors and budding agripreneurs to assist the DA and DOST in bringing the technologies to their intended users.“Indeed, these innovations serve as a testament that our initiatives paved the way for their ventures and success. With all these collaborative efforts, I am hoping that they will widen the network of our beneficiaries as we connect the potential investors and collaborators from our network,” DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina Guevara emphasized. Participated by DOST-PCAARRD and DA-BAR officials and staff led by executive director Dr. Reynaldo Ebora and director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, technology inventors, evaluators, and potential investors, among others—the total number of participants in Cisco Webex and Facebook livestream is 1,117 and 6,217, respectively. 

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Aug 24, 2021

16 DA-BAR staff receive due recognition

In celebration of being the lead coordinating agency for agriculture and fishery research for development for 34 years, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) honored 16 employees during its anniversary celebration on 24 August 2021 in Diliman, Quezon City. With the celebration almost lasting for a week, its programme of activities also included the oathtaking ceremony of newly hired, appointed, and promoted staff, as well as the recognition of loyalty awardees and retirees of the bureau. Agriculture Secretary William Dar virtually officiated the oath taking. Marilou Oren (Administrative Officer IV (Budget Officer II)) was the newly hired staff, while Glenn Dimayuga (Agriculturist II) and Vincent Visitacion (Administrative Aide VI (Clerk III)) were newly appointed. The promoted DA-BAR staff included Raymond Patrick Cabrera (Supervising Agriculturist), Melissa Resma (Information Systems Analyst III), and Jay Invinsor Bermas (Senior Agriculturist).On the other hand, leading the recognition under the Performance Award were DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril and assistant director Joell Lales. Acknowledged for their 30 years of government service, DA-BAR Loyalty Awardees included Corazon Barretto, Supply and Property Unit head; Julia Lapitan, Research Coordination Division (RCD) assistant head; Lyn Pardilla, Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD)-Scientific Literature System Section head; and Gretel Rivera, Cash Unit head.Serving the bureau for 15 years—Magdalena Calimutan, Procurement Unit administrative officer, and Jojit Velasquez, who is one of the bureau’s pilots, were also among the loyalty awardees.The DA-BAR was also pleased to present the Personnel Development Award to Dr. Anthony Obligado, RCD head, who graduated this SY 2020-2021 with a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science and Management. The said award is given to permanent employees who has finished their Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degrees through personal expenses.An audio-visual presentation was also prepared to honor former DA-BAR officials and staff who have retired. Thoughtful messages were given to Dr. Nicomedes Eleazar, longest-serving former director; Digna Sandoval, former assistant director; and Elvira Rapada, former KMISD-Information Management Section technical staff. With the theme “BAR@34: Pagdiriwang para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita ng mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda,” the anniversary celebration was also livestreamed via the bureau’s official Facebook page. 

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Aug 27, 2021

4 webinars held in celebration of DA-BAR anniversary

Viewed live by more than 650 people, four webinars were conducted via Facebook live on 24-27 August 2021 in celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR). Topics included product costing and marketing, innovative chevon-based products, soil-less herb garden for the kitchen, and aquaponics for urban households. Michael Caballes, Bukid Amara chief farmer and owner; Kathlene Claire Ganareal, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) science research specialist; Jesse Descalsota, University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding researcher; and Marx Perfecto Garcia, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources senior aquaculturist, served as resource speakers.Caballes shared the following concepts: marketing, product costing, and marketing strategies for agricultural products. He emphasized that marketing is all about putting the right product in the right place, at the right price, and at the right time.He said, “Ang pagsasaka ay negosyo. So dapat ang trato natin sa pagtatanim ay negosyo. Dapat maka-develop tayo ng business plan na hindi tayo gumagaya sa iba. Dapat may sarili tayong value proposition.”Ganareal talked about the instant chevon-based products developed by CLSU and funded by DA-BAR. Registered under the trademark, K-zser, these products include: papaitan, kapukan, tapa, and bakkwa. Their research showed that these products are highly acceptable by the consumers. Considered financially viable, this value-adding technology is ready for transfer and adoption.  She explained that there are three modes of commercialization available: complete sell-out, joint venture, and technology licensing.Descalsota discussed how to grow herbs without soil for your kitchen. Producing your own herbs at home ensures that you have a fresh and abundant source.From the Latin word that means “working with water,” hydroponics uses nutrient solution as well as promotes rapid growth of plant, higher yield, and superior quality. He also shared the different types of hydroponics systems such as wick system, water culture, ebb and flow, drip, nutrient film technique, and aeroponics system. Garcia introduced aquaponics to the viewers or the combination of rearing fish in a closed environment alongside soil-less planting. He also discussed the various types and designs such as the nutrient film type, substrate-based or media-based technique, floating raft or deep water culture, and hybrid. Operation and management of the aquaponics system were also discussed.The webinar series is part of the bureau’s regular activities to disseminate and promote research-based agriculture and fishery technologies as well as other relevant information. 