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NEWS & EVENTS

Aug 27, 2021

17,000 sweetpotato planting materials for distribution to individual farmers and FCAs in Cordillera

A total of 17,000 sweetpotato planting materials are set to be distributed to individual farmers and farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) in Benguet and other provinces of Cordillera from September to December 2021.In 2020, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), awarded PhP 3 million fund to support research projects such as the enhancement of technology transfer on vegetable seed and seedling production of sweetpotato, mushroom, and ginger in the region.According to Josie Dasayon, DA-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Research Division science research specialist, they had already conducted trainings on single node cutting and distributed 23,000 planting materials in Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay early this year. Single node cutting is obtained from the potted mother planting materials distributed to farmers. The vines are cut into single nodes using disinfected blade, leaving one or two nodes where new shoots can develop for the next harvest of vine cuttings. The cuttings are planted in a potted media and when they have grown to at least five nodes, they are transplanted. Further, seven sweetpotato varieties are being distributed—Beniazuma, Haponita, Immitlog, Basilan, Pakak, Bokod, and Bengueta.Based on the division’s sweetpotato research in Benguet, the municipalities of Itogon, Kapangan, Tuba, and Tublay were identified as suitable areas for planting sweetpotato and were selected best in terms of short maturing duration and high yield.The Research Division will coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) not only in Benguet but in other provinces of Cordillera for the distribution of the planting materials. For the interested sweetpotato growers, they can coordinate with their respective LGUs or pen a letter addressed to DA-CAR.Sweetpotato, locally known as dukto or lukto is an essential crop in Cordillera. It is considered a staple food, supplement to rice and being added to local delicacies in the Philippines. The leaves, tops, and edible roots are being utilized as food or feeds and it is considered a profitable commodity.“Dukto is part of our culture especially in Cordillera. The importance of planting sweetpotato is its health benefits and it can be an additional income for the family,” Dasayon said.

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Aug 25, 2021

DA-BAR, Advisory Board work towards a strengthened and resilient R4D system

Aimed at crafting and implementing a comprehensive research for development (R4D) plans towards a strengthened and resilient R4D system, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) conducted the Second Advisory Board for Research for Development (ABR4D) Meeting on 25 August 2021 via Cisco Webex.The said meeting provided a venue to present the plans, programs, and activity updates of DA-BAR—to which the board members composed of officials and representatives from various public and private sector were sought with guidance and recommendations for the continuous improvement of the bureau.Agriculture Secretary William Dar, ABR4D chair, presented the OneDA Reform Agenda during the said meeting. The said framework focuses on the four pillars, which are consolidation, modernization, industrialization, and professionalization.DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril led the presentation of the bureau’s Transformative R4D Framework, as well as the R4D program priorities aligned to the OneDA approach. Raymond Patrick Cabrera, DA-BAR Research Program Development Division head presented the bureau’s new R4D priorities, as well as the major guidelines for packaging R4D projects. This was followed by a presentation by DA-BAR Research Coordination Division head Dr. Anthony Obligado on the DA-BAR-funded technologies ready for scaling.DA Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and Research Fermin Adriano, ABR4D co-chair; DA Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff Dr. Leocadio Sebastian, together with the members of the board provided guidance and laid down various recommendations. Among the key recommendations are the need to further strengthen the R4D prioritization process by identifying the needs of the sector; to include champion commodities with good export potential; to strengthen support to commercialization and scaling; and to strengthen linkage with the private sector, among others. Upon receiving observations and recommendations from the group, director Mamaril and assistant director Joell Lales commit to comply with the instructions and to exercise due diligence in selecting research proposals to be funded. In 2020, Secretary Dar issued a Special Order for the creation of the ABR4D with a goal to elevate and sustain the quality of R4D plans and programs toward a more proactive and innovative contributory enabler towards inclusive agribusiness.

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Aug 24, 2021

Agri chief recognizes DA-BAR’s milestones in 34th year anniversary

Agriculture Secretary William Dar lauded the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR)’s milestones during the week-long celebration of its 34th anniversary on 24 August 2021 in Diliman, Quezon City.Dar graced the event by delivering an inspirational message recognizing the bureau’s efforts over the years saying that, “rising above the adverse effects of the pandemic is a very difficult task [in itself], but as the agency’s founding director, I cannot be more proud to see how DA-BAR evolves and adapts to the changing needs of its stakeholders.”The banner programs of the bureau were highlighted during Dar’s inspirational message, such as the National Technology Commercialization Program and the Community-based Participatory Action Research program.Dar also mentioned the successful implementation of the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agriculture, popularly known as MAYA program, during the pandemic which was coordinated by DA-BAR.He also noted how the bureau remained committed despite the pandemic, by handling the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness program as initiated by DA. The program aimed to encourage the youth to engage and venture in agriculture and fisheries.Lastly, Dar challenged DA-BAR to start conceptualizing about the future agriculture that the country needs to have one generation from now.“Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang Pilipinas na may sapat na pagkain at mga magsasaka’t mangingisdang may maunlad at masaganang buhay sa kabila ng pandemya,” Dar ended. 

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Aug 27, 2021

DA-BAR marks 34th anniversary; underscores R4D response amid pandemic

As the bureau continues to elevate research for development (R4D) response for resilient agriculture and fishery food systems amid the pandemic, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) celebrated its 34th anniversary on 24-27 August 2021 in Diliman, Quezon City and livestreamed at the bureau’s official Facebook page.With the theme “BAR@34: Pagdiriwang para sa Masaganang Ani at Mataas na Kita ng mga Magsasaka at Mangingisda,” series of activities were conducted during the four-day event led by DA-BAR director Dr. Vivencio Mamaril.In his opening remarks and Director’s report, he underscored how the bureau responded to challenges brought by the pandemic and how it adapted to the ever-changing landscape of the agriculture and fishery R4D by recalibrating its strategies. “Last year’s story of resilience is only a small fraction of the similar but intertwined narratives that [DA-]BAR has been in its 34 years of existence. Circumstances and people may have been different but the attitude and response have stayed the same. The bureau continuously works hard to improve the implementation of its budget and we have remained relevant to our stakeholders. The professionalism, cooperation, and support of the bureau’s staff and our partner research institutions have all contributed to what the bureau is today and how the bureau will fare in the years to come,” he said.Further, director Mamaril discussed the bureau’s significant accomplishments in 2020 through its funded programs, activities, and projects, as well as their alignment to DA’s core strategies: modernization, industrialization, consolidation, and professionalization. Specifically, notable R4D funded technologies and support services were highlighted—reflecting significant contribution to productivity and profitability improvements, farm-level application, among others.DA-BAR assistant director Joell Lales led the announcement of the bureau’s adherence to ISO 9001: 2015 standard. As certified by TÜV Rheinland, the bureau maintained its ISO certification after successfully passing the Second Surveillance Audit (remote) on 5 August 2021.Assistant director Lales concluded the celebration. “Diyan nakikita ang katuturan ng research for development—na hindi lang tayo puro sa papel lang o mga report. Iyan ay may pinatutunguhan o pinakikinabangan, [and] that is the essence of this celebration.Ako, sa ngalan ng bureau, ay nagpapasalamat sa lahat po ng nagtulungan para dito: sa lahat ng ating kawani mula sa baba hanggang sa mga opisyales, and of course sa ating direktor na napaka-supportive sa lahat ng ating ginagawa,” DA-BAR assistant director Lales said during his closing message. 

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Jun 29, 2021

Genetic improvement, biosecurity measures among top research priorities for livestock, poultry

Genetic improvement of animals, and enhancement of biosecurity measures against economically important diseases were among the top research priorities identified during the National Consultation Workshop for Livestock and Poultry on 28-29 June 2021.Profiling and evaluation of feeds and feedstuff; standardization of organic and non-organic livestock production, post-production, and facilities; and market study and value chain analysis of animal products and by-products were also in the list.The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Bureau of Agricultural Research spearheaded the event to update and harmonize the bureau’s livestock and poultry research for development (R4D) agenda and programs of the department.Key DA offices participated in the said activity including the Office of the Undersecretary for Livestock, National Livestock Program (NLP), Bureau of Animal Industry, Philippine Carabao Center, National Dairy Authority, and National Meat Inspection Service.The consultation workshop paved the way to identify and validate research gaps that need to be immediately addressed by the participating agencies.The activity was also used as an avenue to present the roster of adaptive technologies, tools, and practices generated under the livestock and poultry R4D programs of the different participating DA agencies.The outputs of the consultation workshop will be used as baseline for prioritization for 2022-2023 for endorsement to the DA-NLP and DA-Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries. 

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Jul 30, 2021

Rice-duck farming offers promising result in open-source pump irrigated areas

A 2013 study conducted by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Northern Cagayan Experiment Station showed that the integration of duck in rice farming can increase yield to 36 percent and reduce golden apple snail (GAS) up to 95 percent, thus,  helping the control of weeds in irrigated rice. Today, the DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC) promotes the same technology to Open-Source Pump Irrigated Areas in Ilagan and Tumauini, Isabela through a two-year project funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on outscaling of rice-based farming system (rice+duck). Through a webinar organized by DA-BAR on 30 July 2021, Gemma G. Bagunu, senior science research specialist and project leader from DA-CVRC, discussed the rice-duck farming system they introduced to 150 farmer cooperators that resulted to 121.9 percent of return on investment compared to 67.24 percent in rice production alone (2020-2021 dry season). According to Bagunu, ducks are good “weed manager” and eat GAS which means less labor in weed management and less pesticide and insecticide application.  Rice production practices Farmer-cooperators planted NSIC Rc480 at the rate of 40 kilogram per hectare with a spacing of 20 x 20 centimeter to allow enough space for the ducks to walk. Other practices include two to three healthy seedling per hill, plowing (once) and three times harrowing of field at one week interval. Rice crop manager is used as basis in nutrient management and five centimeter depth of irrigation water is maintained to control weeds.  These practices are under the nine key checks recommendation in PalayCheck System. The rice paddy is enclosed in a poultry net to prevent the ducks from escaping while grazing.  Release of ducks and its care and maintenance In a 1,000 square meter, 20 heads (200 heads per hectare) at two to three months old muscovy ducklings were released in the field after 30 days from transplanting until the heading stage of the rice. Ducklings were grazed in rice paddies in the morning and evening. At flowering stage, ducks were removed and provided with house and pond. Ducks were fed with fermented feed formulation using azolla, golden apple snail mixed with rice bran and other leguminous crops/forages to supplement their feeding requirements. Arcadio Garcilian, one of the farmer-cooperators from Lapogan, Tumauini, experienced the benefit of integrating duck in his rice farming. Arcadio revealed that the integration of duck has significantly reduced GAS and weeds in his farm. From five heads of duck as starter in the project, he has now grown the flock into 150 heads. In terms of yield, he recorded a higher yield of 5.4 tons per hectare  the NSICRc480 for 2020-2021 dry season with duck integration.With the growing number of ducks in the community, the researchers also introduced value adding activities such as ready to eat duck viands, selling of ducklings and meat, and its eggs