latest

NEWS & EVENTS

Jul 06, 2021

SUCs showcase role in technology development for agriculture food systems

The Department of Agriculture (DA), through its Agriculture Dialogue and Information Network Groups Program Office and the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), spearheaded an online symposium about the role of state universities and colleges (SUCs) in developing technologies for a sustainable, equitable, and resilient food systems on 6 July 2021 via video conferencing.Titled as “Advancing Innovations and Science-based Farm Production Systems: The Role of State Universities and Colleges in Modernizing, Industrializing, and Professionalizing Philippine Agriculture Food Systems,” the webinar provided an avenue for possible collaborations between SUCs, DA, and private sector for the betterment of the agriculture and fisheries sector.“The SUCs in the country have been partners of the government and the private sector in developing available tools in various segments and in the value-chain such as crop varieties, animal breeds, farm inputs, and other technologies—including value-adding food products,” DA Policy Research Service director Noel Padre said.As one of the major partners of DA in its pursuit through its strategies under the Food Security Framework, Dr. Tirso Ronquillo of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges and Dr. Edgardo Tulin of the SUC-Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines were tasked to present a list of salient contributions that were aligned to the agri-fishery sector’s modernization, industrialization, and professionalization. It was emphasized that food system technologies and innovations will be instrumental to achieving the sustainable development goals.“To realize our goals, we must apply a whole of nation approach wherein a diversity of stakeholders will be involved— including voices that are seldom heard, and provide an important opportunity for participants to debate, collaborate, and take action towards a better future,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar emphasized.During his ways forward and closing message, director Mamaril shared that he was happy with the participation of the attendees and that the online symposium is one of the fora that the bureau had really enjoyed.

newsevent

Jul 19, 2021

Mamaril underscores wider outscaling of farming system

In his visit to a project site in Candelaria, Quezon, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) director Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril underscored the wider outscaling of farming system by encouraging farmer beneficiaries to continue the roll-over scheme even beyond the set protocol; hence, benefitting more farmers.As part of the regular activities of the bureau to ensure that the set objectives of the projects are met, director Mamaril and technical staff Juan Nikolas Paller monitored the project titled, “Outscaling of Coconut-based Farming System (Coconut + Soybean + Vegetables + Native Chicken” on 19 July 2021.The project implemented by DA-CALABARZON aimed to help coconut farmers of Barangays San Isidro, Kinatihan I, Pahinga Sur and Sta. Catalina Norte in Candelaria, Quezon to ensure sustainable production and availability of food commodities through utilization of mature and sustainable technologies for coconut-based and high value crops with integration of native chicken.With 46 farmer-cooperators to date, each farmer-cooperator has at least 5,000 square meters coconut area as demo or experimental area wherein around 1,600 hot pepper seedlings and 1,700 okra plants were grown. Also, around 2,500 square meters were devoted to soybean production. Each farmer-cooperator was given a module of native chicken consisting of 10 pullets and two roosters. From the produced, same number will be returned by the cooperator which will then be transferred to farmer adopters. The project is now in the process of transferring the native chicken modules to adopters.Farmer cooperators of the said project as well as with the “Outscaling of Rice-based Farming System (Rice-watermelon-vegetables)” project in Sariaya, Quezon visited the Lowland Vegetables Technology demonstration area at the DA-Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (QARES). Dubbed as “Lowland Vegetable Derby,” director Mamaril also had the chance to see the new and common varieties of pinakbet vegetables showcased by partner seed companies during the said event.Director Mamaril also visited the DA-Quezon Agricultural Research and Experiment Station wherein various food and non-food products from cacao, coconut, coffee, sapinit, and other indigenous fruits are promoted in the Technology Commercialization Center.  These are among the funded projects of the bureau through its National Technology Commercialization Program. During the said visits and monitoring activities, director Mamaril emphasized farm-level application for the generated technologies and the need to ensure sustainability of the project. 

newsevent

Jul 13, 2021

MOA signing seals edible landscaping project in Brgy. Batasan Hills, QC

In line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Plant, Plant, Plant program, a virtual ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on edible landscaping (EL) project in Brgy. Batasan Hills, Quezon City was held on 13 July 2021 via Facebook live.The MOA signing formalizes the agreement between the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) EL Team through UPLB Foundation, Inc., and its partners and stakeholders from the Quezon City Local Government and its Food Security Task Force, Brgy. Batasan Hills, Star Homeowners Association, DA-BAR, and DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).“For the last 10 years, the UPLB EL team has been working with our partner agencies and organizations for the public and private sector in the promotion of EL technology as a viable method of addressing food security,” said Dr. Sanchez.“The onslaught of the pandemic has called for the ramping up of our efforts as a response to the needs of the present situation. The team has been working on additional projects which are in line with DA’s Plant, Plant, Plant program,” he added.Funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), the project aimed to establish EL gardens among low- and middle-income households in urban and peri-urban communities toward food self-sufficiency.“Sa proyektong ito, kayo po ay matutong mag-edible landscaping. Titiyakin po namin na kayo ay aming tutulungan at bibigyan ng assistance sa project na ito,” said DA-BAR director Mamaril as he extended his gratitude towards Star Homeowners Association in their participation in the project.Signing the MOA were Hon. Maria Josefina “Joy” G. Belmonte, Quezon City mayor; Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, DA-BAR director; Dr. Rosana P. Mula, DA-ATI deputy director; Dr. Enrico P. Supangco, UPLB Foundation, Inc. executive director; Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., UPLB EL project leader; Hon. John M. Abad, Brgy. Batasan Hills captain; and Teodoro B. Ochavillo, Star Homeowners Association president.Meanwhile, Abad and Ochavillo expressed their heartfelt gratitude and commitment to the project. 

newsevent

Jun 23, 2021

Edible landscaping starter kits distribution rolls out in Metro Manila

To further promote urban agriculture and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) “Plant, Plant, Plant Program” among households in Metro Manila, the University of the Philippines Los Baños Edible Landscaping (UPLB-EL) Team started distributing the EL starter kits to local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila in June 2021.On 2 June, the UPLB EL Team turned over more than 1,000 starter kits to Quezon City (QC). The kits were received by the QC Sustainable Development Affairs Unit headed by Emmanuel Hugh Velasco.Also, more than 500 starter kits each were turned over to Parañaque and Muntinlupa City on 17 and 22 June, respectively. The distribution of the kits were led by the Parañaque City Agricultural, Fisheries and Aquatic Services Office, headed by Amelia M. Hernandez as part of their ELO Program or “Mag Edible Landscaping Tayo!,” and the Muntinlupa Department of Agriculture and Extension Services Office led by Marilou O. Lobo.The starter kits which include sample seeds, seedling tray, trowel, and sample designs, will be distributed to selected beneficiaries of the LGUs.The distribution of kits is a component of the “Edible Landscaping: Magtanim ng Gulay para sa Isang Masagana, Malusog, at Makulay na Buhay” project which is funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research. 

newsevent

Jun 30, 2021

Beekeeping enterprise spurs hope for disadvantaged communities in Lanao, Mindoro

Results of beekeeping projects in Lanao del Norte and Mindoro were shared during the monthly free seminar of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research on 30 June 2021 via video conferencing.The community-based beekeeping enterprises were made possible through packages of technology on sustainable rearing of stingless bee species.Dr. Cleofas Cervancia, resource speaker and bee scientist of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, highlighted that beekeeping contributes to the achievement of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.Stingless bees (Tetragonula biroi) were used in the projects citing the following reasons: native to Asia, can easily be propagated, have rich genetic pool, considered sustainable, and good pollinators of native plants.The setting up of a beekeeping enterprise starts with the usual site validation and selection, training, and monitoring.Firstly, colonies should be installed after careful consideration of existing regulations on the movement of biological materials. Unless records state previous presence in the area, species cannot be introduced.Then, bee plants such as Cuphea, Turnera zinnia, marigold, yellow bus, cadena de amor, cosmos, Gomphrena, and aratiles should be prepared and grown. Training on bee product processing should also be undertaken. Afterwards, pollinators were sampled and identified for profiling.Some of the products the communities were able to produce and market are honey, pollen, and propolis.In an initial colony of 1,000 bees, 750 grams of honey per colony can be harvested which can be sold at PhP 2,000 per kilo; 1.5 kilos of pollen at PhP 500 per kilo; and 250 grams of propolis at PhP 500 per kilo.In addition, value-added products are also being produced such as line of soaps and other cosmetic products like lip balm, ointment, and cream.Beekeeping enterprise is deemed profitable as propolis is highly valued and recognized in apitherapy.At present, the project is eyeing commercialization and further boosting of enterprise development upon receiving funds from the Agriculture Competitiveness and Enhancement Fund in December 2019.Almost 300 individuals participated in the said seminar while, the video has garnered over 3,000 views from people around the world through the bureau’s official Facebook page. 

newsevent

Jun 21, 2021

SEARCA turns over calamansi techno demo learning farm to MinSU

The Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) virtually turned over the technology demonstration learning farm to Mindoro State University (MinSU, formerly Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology) for calamansi research on 21 June 2021 via Zoom and livestreamed on SEARCA’s Facebook page.SEARCA director Dr. Glenn Gregorio and MinSU president Dr. Levy Arago, Jr. led the ceremonial turnover. Representatives from SEARCA, MinSU, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Provincial Agriculture Office of Oriental Mindoro, Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) as well as calamansi growers’ cooperatives and other key stakeholders attended the event.“Our flagship commodity in the university is calamansi. Our calamansi research and development will be our best entry point in order to bring together our strengths as a research institution in collaboration with the local government units, private sector industries to address the technical and market constraints that confront the calamansi industry,” said MinSU vice president for research, development and extension Dr. Christian Anthony Agutaya.He also shared the various R4D undertakings that the university will be implementing to address the gaps and concerns in the calamansi industry in the province.“We hope that this undertaking will help us to continue to keep alive our contribution to sustainable development amidst COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery,” Dr. Agutaya added.With an area of 2,500 square meters that could accommodate 156 plants with four by four meters spacing, the learning site at Victoria, Oriental Mindoro was placed at a strategic position. MIMAROPA has the widest area planted with calamansi at 6,872 hectares whereas the municipality of Victoria is the largest producer in the region.“The techno demo learning farm for calamansi is really important as we expect this to serve as a [venue] to showcase the appropriate, modern, climate-resilient production technologies [and] cultural pest management systems. [This] will serve as a benchmark not only for the farmers but also as inputs for the annual investment plans of the local government units,” said Oriental Mindoro provincial agriculturist Christine Pine.Ruel Sanchez, Victoria Kalamansi Farmers Federation president, and Christie Marasigan, Matulatula Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative manager both expressed their gratitude towards the project team for teaching them the updated knowledge and technologies on calamansi production.The activity was part of the sustainability plan of SEARCA-implemented project titled, Upgrading the Calamansi Value Chain towards Improving the Calamansi Industry of Oriental Mindoro, which was funded by DA-BAR.Implemented in collaboration with UPLB, MinSU, the local government units in Victoria, Naujan, and Pola, Oriental Mindoro, the two year-project aimed to address the technical and market constraints of the calamansi industry in Oriental Mindoro.The virtual ceremonial turnover was followed by a webinar on good agricultural and manufacturing practices. Resource speakers were Dr. Juliet Ochasan, DA-Bureau of Plant Industry-Baguio National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center; Dr. Flor Ceballo, Dr. Filomena Sta. Cruz, Leslie Angela Roces, Bryan Apacionado, Dr. Josephine Agravante, Dr. Ma. Josie Sumague, and Dr. Matilde Maunahan of UPLB; and Agnes Perpetua Legaspi, Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau assistant director. 