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NEWS & EVENTS

Dec 16, 2023

ADePt-TBI showcases incubation approach in promoting farm-level production technologies

Showcasing its initial success in the promotion of farm-level production technologies, theAgribusiness and Developed Processed Products–Technology Business Incubation Program (ADePt-TBI) in partnership with DA-Cagayan Valley-Nueva Vizcaya Experiment Station (NVES) conducted its first-ever Farmers’ Field Day to promote the use of off-season onion production technology in Cubag, Cabagan, Isabela on 16 December 2023. Off-Season Onion ProductionAt the heart of this paradigm shift is the off-season onion production technology developed by Salvador Bulda of DA-NVES. The technology showcases a new cropping period from September (sowing), October (planting), January-February (harvesting) as opposed to the regular season falling on the months of December (sowing), January (planting), March-April (harvesting).Hosted by the Cabagan GIFTS Agricultural Cooperative, the ADePt-TBI incubatee, the said Farmers’ Field Day on Off-Season Onion Production is the first to be done in Isabela province as the technology has only been widely promoted and used in Nueva Vizcaya. Attended by more than 100 farmers from Cabagan, Isabela, officials from the provincial and municipal agriculture offices, the Cabagan GIFTS was able to showcase the effective use of the package of technology such as the use of tunnel-type rain shelters, variety (Super Pinoy), cropping period, raised beds, and nutrient management using the result of soil laboratory analysis.Bulda commended the cooperative under the supervision of the ADePt-TBI for successfully following the technology, which yielded to a good crop production, considering that they are new to the use of the technology. Paradigm ShiftOriginally focused on the promotion, transfer, and commercialization of food processing technologies developed by the DA-Cagayan Valley Research Center, the ADePt-TBI expanded its operations in 2023 to include not only technologies from other research centers and experiment stations but to also highlight those with farm-level application.The shift is due to the need for a more inclusive technology promotion and transfer program aimed to empower more local farmers and incubatees through a deeper and more diverse pipeline of technologies. Expanding impact, building on successThe expansion of ADePt-TBI's focus to include farm-level production technologies aligns with its broader mission of fostering a resilient and dynamic agribusiness ecosystem. By empowering local farmers with the latest advancements, the incubator aims to create a ripple effect, positively impacting the entire agricultural value chain.Looking ahead, ADePt-TBI will continue to engage in the promotion and utilization of farm-level technologies through the use of urban farming technologies. The introduction of shared-use facilities for greenhouse farming will represent a strategic move towards sustainable and smart agriculture.By January 2024, Innergrow, an enterprise initially funded and supported by the Young Farmers Challenge program of the DA-Agribusiness and Marketing Division and now an ADePt-TBI incubatee, will occupy these facilities, utilizing technologies such as nutrient film techniques, deep water culture, vertical growing towers, and others. 

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Mar 26, 2024

2024 Women’s Month Photo Contest winners named

Interpreting the 2024 Women’s Photo Contest theme—Lipunang Patas sa Bagong Pilipinas: Kakayahan ng Kababaihan, Patutunayan!—, the entry Juggling Roles by Rena S. Hermoso of the Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD) won the top spot as announced during  the National Women’s Month culminating activity of DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on 1 April 2024.In the winning photo is a mother, seated in a crowd during a field day on purple yam production, extending her arms to gently guide her son back to her side as he explores the venue with youthful curiosity. The full caption reads, “Women are expected to fulfill many roles at the same time with lackluster enabling mechanisms. For moms, the many social identities that they have to live by enabled them to become efficient and effective multitaskers. This month we celebrate this unique strength forged by love under unfavorable conditions — honoring the sex that ‘reared’ the nation.”The entry Empowered Filipina for Greater Heights by Apple E. Llarena of the Planning and Monitoring Unit emerged as second place. While Leading Progress: Empowered Women in Agricultural Leadership by Irish Mikee W. Wigwigan of KMISD took third place. Coming in at fourth and fifth places were Saya sa Pagsasaka by Lara Abegail S. Espiritu of KMISD and Field of Dedication: Under Sun’s Warm Embrace by Bernadette P. Galve of the Office of the Director.The 14 entries received for the contest were featured in the exhibit at JR Escaño Hall from 11-27 March 2024.In his closing message, DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales commended the women staff of the bureau for their invaluable contributions to the bureau, as well as the efforts of the Gender and Development Focal Point System Technical Working Group for organizing the month-long activity,“Para sa mga kababaihan, nawa ay patuloy ninyong pahalagahan at tandaan na ang inyong kakayahan ay nagbibigay ng tagumpay hindi lamang sa inyong mga tahanan kundi sa lipunan na iyong kinabibilangan, at kayo ay nagbibigay karangalan sa ating bayan!” he ended.

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Apr 15, 2024

Soil health cards distributed in Ilocos Norte, farmers to benefit

Farmer-groups in selected municipalities of Ilocos Norte, including Vintar, Bacarra, Dingras, and Solson received soil health cards as part of the Sustainable Community-based Action Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) for Livelihood Enhancement, Upliftment, and Prosperity (SCALE-UP) program implemented by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research and DA-Ilocos Region.DA-BAR Program Development Division OIC-assistant head and SCALE-UP Program R4D team lead Kris Thea Marie Hernandez during a field visit in March, presented the details of the soil health card, emphasizing the significance of understanding soil health and fertility as the basis for effectively determining the appropriate kind and amounts of soil nutrients required, which can help minimize excessive fertilizer application and consequently, reduce production costs.Dr. Gilbert Rabara, the project leader for the DA-Ilocos Region, emphasized the vital importance of farmer cooperation in ensuring the program's efficiency, particularly rejuvenating soil conditions. He underscored strengthened cooperation, application of recommendations and knowledge gained from capacity-building sessions, and open communication to address challenges. The farmer-partners also received training through the Climate Resilient Farm Business School (CRFBS) conducted by DA-Ilocos Region. The program covered various topics on implementing effective agricultural practices, mitigating the effects of climate change, recognizing opportunities for resilience in farm business planning, and refining entrepreneurial skills for better farm management and profitability.The monitoring team also had courtesy visits with Mayor Richard Degala of Vintar, as well as Mayor Joseph de Lara and Vice Mayor Jonathan de Lara of Solson, discussing the current status and benefits of the SCALE-UP program. The concept of deriving soil health maps from the soil health cards were discussed, which garnered appreciation and support from the local leaders.Moving forward, DA-BAR and DA-Ilocos Region, commits continuing technical assistance and capacity-building sessions to farmers.

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Dec 29, 2023

Role of R4DE in modernizing the agri-fisheries sector underscored in CVAARRD’s 45th anniversary

Representing Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Junel B. Soriano graced the Cagayan Valley Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Research and Development’s (CVAARRD) 45th anniversary celebration on December 19, 2023 at the CVAARRD Complex, ISU, Echague, Isabela.“We find ourselves at a pivotal juncture in history—a moment where the confluence of science, technology, knowledge, and collaboration offers us unprecedented possibilities. Our commitment to liberalizing the utilization of R&D/E results reflects our dedication to breaking down barriers and ensuring that the benefits of our endeavors reach far and wide. It is not enough for our discoveries to remain confined within the walls of laboratories; they must be catalysts for change, beacons guiding us toward a future where sustainable practices and innovation harmoniously coexist,” emphasized director Soriano in his address.Aptly themed, Unlocking Potential: Liberalizing the Utilization of R&D/E Results for Modernized and Science-based Innovations in Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources, the celebration highlighted the consortium’s accomplishments during the Consortium Director’s Report, as well as recipients of the Best R&D papers and posters during the 34th Regional Symposium on R&DE Highlights.Likewise, the director reaffirmed DA-BAR’s role in ensuring maximum utilization of R4D outputs for the AANR sector. He expressed the bureau’s continuous commitment to provide R4D interventions that will respond to the pressing needs and challenges of the sector.The event was graced by various officials and consortium stakeholders such as Regional R&D Coordinating Council Chair and CVAARRD and Isabela State University president Ricmar P. Aquino, DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional director Angel Encarnacion, Department of Science and Technology undersecretary for Special Concerns Teodoro M. Gatchalian, DOST Regional director Virginia G. Bilgera, and DOST-PCAARRD deputy executive director Melvin B. Carlos.

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Dec 14, 2023

DA-BAR joins 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women

In line with the bureau's commitment to the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) conducted a hybrid seminar on 12 December 2023 in Quezon City.DA-BAR assistant director Joell H. Lales underscored the importance of cultivating awareness and understanding women's violence to reduce its prevalence in society actively.Atty. Kristy Jane M. Balino, deputy director for Legal Affairs Department at Arellano University, served as the resource speaker and delved into the salient provisions of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act and the Safe Spaces Act. Beyond the legal insights, her presentation also encompassed the historical context of women's discrimination, Filipino cultural perspectives on such issues, international counterparts of the anti-VAWC law, and the country's global commitments to anti-VAWC.Atty. Balino defined gender equality and the role of the government in implementing the anti-VAWC law. She explained, “Gender equality does not mean women and men are the same; gender equality means that women and men have the same rights, responsibilities, and privileges under the law.”She further highlighted, “The reality is, historically, we were born into a society that practiced gender discrimination and gender-based violence. We were culturally programmed to accept it as okay or the norm and our ancestors were not at fault. Now, the government's role is to try to cleanse that culture, addressing the lack of information and education.”The VAWC campaign, observed annually from November 25 to December 12 in compliance with Proclamation No. 1172, Series of 2006, serves as a crucial platform for the Philippine government to intensify discussions, foster awareness of violence against women and girls alongside local and national women's groups to achieve the recurring theme from 2022-2027, which is to establish a “United for a VAW-free Philippines”.

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Dec 14, 2023

KMISD initiates revision of DA-BAR strategic communication plan

The Knowledge Management and Information Systems Division (KMISD) of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) underwent a training on strategic communication plan with communication expert Lily Ann D. Lando, PhD on 6-7 December 2023 in Magalang, Pampanga.The training aimed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of the KMISD staff, evaluate and align the communication plan with current knowledge trends, and identify and address gaps in the current communication plan of the bureau. “As the bureau is committed to provide excellent service in terms of research for development coordination, we have to continuously build and enhance the capacity of the bureau, especially its human resource, to address the effective delivery of research outputs — ultimately to create impact among our target stakeholders,” said KMISD head Salvacion M. Ritual in her opening remarks.Dr. Lando emphasized the urgency and need to position the government agencies as the preferred sources of information in the era of influencers. According to a National Economic Development Authority study, the barriers to innovation in the country is the lack of information, awareness, and knowledge. Thus, it is crucial for government agencies such as DA-BAR to improve its communication strategies, in an ever changing communication landscape, utilizing a different approach.She guided the participants in using the Appreciative Inquiry Process, a tool for organizational change that focuses on the strengths and opportunities rather than on problems and challenges. “Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is the exploration of what gives life to systems when they function best. Instead of the traditional strategic planning where we look at weaknesses and threats, what we do in [AI] as the name implies is to focus on what is good,” explained Dr. Lando.She also explained that opponents to this kind of methodology say that it romanticizes reality, relegating threats and challenges to the sidelines. She clarified that AI acknowledges these deficits but prefers to focus on the assets. It is easier to work with what we already have than repairing what is wrong.“Instead of what is wrong, our focus should be on what is strong,” Dr. Lando stressed.This approach brings people together to identify the times when the bureau and its knowledge management and information systems are working at its best, then envision these best moments as the new norm instead of being an exception. This is followed by designing ways to make this dream a reality, and finally executing this new plan which will involve experimentation and improvisation.A knowledge audit will be conducted early next year, as a follow up to this activity.