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NEWS & EVENTS

Feb 02, 2021

Kurikong management discussed in DA-BAR webinar

Proper management of cecid fly or kurikong (Procontarinia frugivora) was discussed during the webinar of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) on 2 February 2021 via Facebook live.Dr. Celia dR. Medina, expert on entomology from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), discussed the importance of understanding the life cycle and behavior of cecid fly and its implication to the fruit development of mango as well as the reasons for the failure of the usual control and management recommendations.Recorded only in the country, kurikong starts to attack and feed on the surface of the fruit at 32-35 days after flower induction which is the onset of fruit development. “This is the period of time that farmers should be vigilant in monitoring the attack of cecid fly. If at this stage the population is not controlled, [farmers] will have more cecid fly during the later stage of fruit development,” said Dr. Medina.She also elaborated that the improper use of insecticides promotes the selection of a resistant population and kills the natural enemies of cecid fly.“We should use insecticide judiciously. Follow the recommended rate, spray only when necessary, and observe pre-harvest interval to ensure that the mango is safe for the consumers,” stressed Dr. Medina.Further, insecticides with different modes of action were recommended to control the population.  Also, adding spreader sticker to the spray solution helps coat the fruit more thoroughly thereby killing insect pests that alight on it.“Use complementary control methods such as fruit bagging, mulching, and proper disposal of fallen fruits,” added Dr. Medina.UPLB, together with DA-BAR and DA-Fertilizer and Pest Authority, crafted a manual containing these management strategies and other helpful information. Attended by 380 people, the webinar was the first live online seminar of the bureau. “As a mango focal, I have learned a lot in this seminar on how to control pests in mango especially the cecid fly. [Dr. Medina] was able to share some best practices and recommendations on how to control it that I can also share to our local mango growers,” said participant Maria Rosario D. Ignacio.The next seminar on 9 and 24 March 2021 will talk about onion armyworm management and edible landscaping, respectively.

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Feb 09, 2021

Bayanihan spirit brings further hope to Lumad adlay farmers in Bukidnon

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pouring in support to an organized indigenous peoples community in Bukidnon. Lumad farmers intend to grow adlay to ensure sustained household food security, and at the same time bring their harvest to markets.Funded under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2” being coordinated by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), assistance in the form of inputs, technical trainings, machineries, which include development and marketing of adlay-based products are expected to reach the farmers’ organization - Kaliwawa Salwagan Talaandig Tribal Agricultural Cooperative (KASATATRIACO) in the highlands of Barangay Lerongan. Lorena V. Duna, program leader of the Adlay Enterprise Development program in the region, said that the KASATATRIACO is among the five farmers’ group identified for the enterprise support mechanism of the program. Further to this, a team from the DA-Regional Field Office 10 organized a community orientation on adlay enterprise and training on adlay production on 9 February 2021 attended by around 30 Lumads.The enterprise support program shall assist KASATATRIACO’s 52 adlay farming families. Around 75 hectares of adlay are currently planted in the area not only for food production, but also for soil cover against soil erosion. These are among the contribution of indigenous peoples not only in biodiversity preservation but also in sustaining life and food availability in the highlands.The government’s research for development program on Adlay Enterprise Development in Marginal Areas in Northern Mindanao hopes to accomplish three-fold developments on the social, economic and environmental aspects of food production in these areas.Through the adlay research for development (R4D) program in the region, DA-BAR has supported the adoption and promotion of adlay package of technologies and postharvest equipments; development of various food products and by-products; and further strengthening of market linkages in some areas of Bukidnon and Metro Manila. To date, a total of 175 hectares were established for commercial production of adlay in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.IP communities assisted by the adlay R4D program include: Lumad farmers in Bukidnon in Region 10; Subanen Tribe in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9, and the Solidarity Farmers Association in Little Baguio in Malita, Davao Occidental.

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Jan 29, 2021

Agri chief pursues inclusivity with new ‘12 key strategies’ for agri-fishery

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar welcomed 2021 with 12 new key strategies in a memorandum issued to the entire Department of Agriculture (DA) in January 2021.The strategies aimed to drive the agriculture and fishery sector towards an inclusive growth, fostering an accelerated transformation of the sector into a modern and industrialized one.Dubbed as the “One DA Holistic Approach to Agriculture and Fisheries Transformation,” the said strategies were cross-cutting action plans which aim to help farmers and fishers through the provision of various assistance and implementation of several programs, activities, and projects. New ‘12 key strategies’The first strategy establishes the ‘Bayanihan agri clusters’ (BACs) to streamline support services from the national and local government units (LGUs) for cost-efficient production and better resource management.The Provincial Agricultural and Fisheries Extension Systems (PAFES) will also be institutionalized to initiate concerted efforts among DA, LGUs, academe, and the private sector. PAFES shall bring services closer to stakeholders.Another strategy is the Agri-Industrial Business Corridors (ABCs) which is hoped to open doors for inter-regional and trans-national agriculture and fishery-related business activities.Support to infrastructures is also prioritized, especially the establishment of farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, postharvest facilities, and storage and processing facilities, among others.Marketing support will also be intensified through the strengthening and expansion of the Kadiwa and e-Kadiwa programs. The strengthening of digital agriculture as part of the Agriculture 4.0 agenda is also part of the new strategies. Automated systems will be utilized to improve farm productivity.Secretary Dar also intends to address concerns on climate change by normalizing regional and provincial climate risk and vulnerability assessments to craft measures on climate risks.DA is also committed to empower and mobilize its partners and stakeholders. Partnerships with LGUs and individuals will continuously be pursued.The strengthening of Philippine agriculture in global trade will also be given priority by boosting top export crops such as coconut and banana, and cacao and coffee which are seen with lots of potentials.For food safety protocols and regulations, control measures particularly for animal and plant diseases will be strengthened. Laboratory and research facilities for building traceability will be prioritized.Further, DA will help agripreneurs, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises, in reducing the costs in complying with regulatory standards of conducting business.Finally, Secretary Dar instructed the department’s communication team to launch various information campaigns to share the success stories of its collaborations and integrated efforts. Harmonized effortsThe DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), as one of DA’s staff bureaus, has committed to anchor its programs, activities, and projects to the One DA approach.DA-BAR has channeled funds to increase productivity and profitability of farming systems by prioritizing support for initiatives that lead to defined farm and industry level application under an inclusive market-oriented agri-business approach.Expansion of high value food products will also be pushed, along with technology upscaling, to stir economic activities.Support to research capacities is continuously being undertaken through DA-BAR’s Research Facility Development Grant program aimed at funding the enhancement of research facilities, and the acquisition of modern equipment to support precision and digital agriculture initiatives.In addition, improved information and communications technology capacities for research initiatives are also eyed. This is still part of the Agriculture 4.0 agenda of DA.The production and availability of quality planting materials and fishery commodities are also targeted. The bureau allotted more than 60 percent of its budget to this initiative, as part of its quick response program to aid farmers and fishers affected by the pandemic.

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Feb 09, 2021

Agribusiness mentorship for the youth rejuvenates agri-fishery sector

In line with the vision of Agriculture Secretary William Dar of engaging the youth into agribusiness, the Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), launched its call for youth interns under the Mentoring and Attracting Youth in Agribusiness (MAYA) program on 9 February 2021 through its social media platform.Part of the agriculture department’s vision of a food-secure and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fisherfolk are its strategies of mobilizing and involving the youth in agri-fishery enterprises.Funded under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or also known as the Bayanihan 2, the MAYA Program aims to develop committed and innovative agribusiness entrepreneurs. This will then make the younger generation to become the country’s future faces of agriculture and fisheries; hence, next frontliners.It is a six-month internship program to be implemented from March to August 2021, and is open to all young aspiring Filipinos, with ages ranging from 20 to 30 years old.Also part of the qualifications include being a graduate of any four-to-six-year college degree courses, preferably agriculture and fisheries-related. With the massive influx of applicants reaching to 3,703, the online application was immediately closed the following day. Out of the 2,613 qualified applicants during the pre-selection process conducted by the DA-BAR MAYA Program Secretariat, a total of 800 applicants will be hired as MAYA interns.Accepted interns will then be assigned either under the Employment or Entrepreneurial Tracks, and will receive a financial allowance of Php 20,000 per month. Places of assignment include the DA national and regional offices, as well as partner private institutions, among others. At the end of their 24-week internship period, interns with exemplary performance could either be endorsed to pursue a career in the DA or any agri-related agency, or they may avail existing DA loan facilities and project grants to start or support their own agri-fishery business. 

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Dec 16, 2020

Lales designated as new DA-BAR OIC-deputy

With the retirement of former OIC-assistant director Digna L. Sandoval, Mr. Joell H. Lales, Chief Agriculturist, is designated as the new OIC-assistant director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) through DA Special Order no. 844, series of 2020 signed by Agriculture Secretary William Dar on 16 December 2020.Asst. dir. Lales shared his vision to further support in elevating the DA-BAR’s research for development (R4D) strategies and programs to be better aligned with the DA’s Food Security and Resiliency Framework and the One DA approach.“I share the aspirations of the DA-BAR management and the entire organization in elevating R4D to greater heights as primarily pursued by our Agriculture Secretary—to be more responsive and have a more meaningful pursuit towards generating farm and industry-level applications. I will be extending my full assistance to the best that I can in this capacity to our Director and the entire DA-BAR management in taking stewardship of all BAR supported R4D programs, activities, and projects,” said Asst. Dir. Lales.Prior to his designation, asst. dir. Lales was the chief of the DA-BAR Program Development Division (now Research Program Development Division), for almost a decade, from 2011 to 2020.  He also served as the bureau’s Planning Officer from 2006-2010. 

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Jan 04, 2021

DA-BAR streamlines its organizational structure

In line with the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) efforts to efficiently implement agriculture and fishery programs, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) streamlined its organizational structure effective 4 January 2021.The rebooting was opportune as DA recently implemented the 12 key strategies under the “One DA” holistic framework and inclusive approach  which aims to reach a 2.5 percent growth target for the sector by year end.At the helm were Dr. Vivencio R. Mamaril, the new DA-BAR director, and Joell H. Lales, as the bureau’s new OIC-assistant director. Lales, formerly DA-BAR-Program Development Division head, replaced Digna L. Sandoval who opted to retire early.The bureau will be working under its three divisions: Research Program Development Division (RPDD), Research Coordination Division (RCD), and Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD).RPDD is in charge of planning, formulation, and updating of national and regional RDE agenda and program as well as facilitating the review, evaluation, and funding of project proposals.Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera and Cynthia Remedios V. De Guia will serve as acting-division head and OIC-assistant division head, respectively.RCD will coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of agriculture and fishery RDE projects and activities. Anthony B. Obligado, head; and Julia A. Lapitan, assistant head, will lead the division’s four sections. KMISD is responsible for translating RDE outputs into useful knowledge products and services and enhancing access to scientific literature and information exchange with the National Research and Development System in Agriculture and Fisheries institutions and organizations.Salvacion M. Ritual as head and Evelyn H. Juanillo as assistant head will be on top for the division.Meanwhile, the administrative support services of the bureau will be under the leadership of the bureau’s assistant director. The organizational reboot was based on the Department of Budget and Management-approved rationalization plan of the bureau. 