Volume 12 Issue No. 1 A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research JANUARY 2011

BINHI AWARDEE (2007)Agricultural Newsletter of the Year

hronicleCVisit our official website at http://www.bar.gov.ph

ISSN 1655-3942

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NEWS

FLORENDO AWARDEE (2003)Outstanding Information Tool for Print

BARBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BAR hronicleCBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

ISO 9001:2000

DA, IRRI rice self-sufficiency collaboration......................1

Eleazar presents Adlai R&D Program................................3

BAR Chief encourages staff to continue...........................4

Cagayan Valley & Central Mindanao start.........................5

HVCDP will now have a synergistic approach..................6

Sweet sorghum training-seminar in Negros.....................7

BAR intensifies support to R&D human resource............8

Food for All: From FIELDS to Agri Pinoy...........................9

Uplifting the lives of upland farmers...............................10

Onion farmers face bright, lucrative prospects..............11

International rubber con highlights impact.....................11

Int’l training scholarship for rice scientists....................12

BINHI AWARDEE (2009)

turn to page 2

What’s inside...

DA,IRRI rice self-sufficiencycollaboration in full swingA

griculture Assistant SecretaryDennis Araullo, also the nationalprogram coordinator for rice and

corn, recently visited the InternationalRice Research Institute (IRRI) for thepresentation of the DA-IRRI JointAccomplishments for 2010 on the RiceSelf-Sufficiency Program (RSSP) at theIRRI Headquarters in Los Baños, Lagunaon 27 January 2011.

Dr. William Padolina, IRRIdeputy director general for operations,congratulated DA for aligning the effortsof its different agencies in support to theRSSP. “In my 10 years of tenure at IRRI,this is the first time that I've seen and feltthe presence of the concerted efforts ofthe different agencies of DA which playimportant roles in making an impact fora program as big and as significant asthis,” he said.

Asst. Secretary Araullo, whoassured IRRI of its commitment toachieving rice self-sufficiency, camewith the five bureau directors of the DAproviding vital inputs in the sub-projectsand components of the RSSP. Presentduring the IRRI visit were: Dir. AsterioSaliot, Agricultural Training Institute

(ATI), Dir. Nicomedes Eleazar, Bureauof Agricultural Research (BAR); Dir.Clarito Barron, Bureau of PlantIndustry (BPI); Dir. Silvino Tejada,Bureau of Soils and Water Management(BSWM); and Deputy Exec. Dir. JoseManuel Regalado, Philippine RiceResearch Institute (PhilRice) whorepresented Exec. Dir. Ronilo Beronio.

IRRI scientists took turns inpresenting their research agenda andspecific reports on the progress ofRSSP. Mr. Julian Lapitan, IRRI projectcoordinator on RSSP and seniormanager, National Program Relations,presented the RSSP 2010accomplishments and plans for 2011-2012. The project is being implementedby IRRI and PhilRice with DA agenciesand regional field units (RFUs), andlocal government units (LGUs). Thereare three sub-projects under RSSPwhich are strategic assessment,development and adoption of high-yielding rice varieties and technologies,and capability building that includesICT applications and training.

Dr. Achim Dobermann, actingdirector general and deputy dir. general

for research of IRRI, presented theinstitute's research agenda and gaverecommendations on how best to achieverice self-sufficiency and the necessaryconditions that need to happen for theRSSP to be implemented successfully.

Other presenters were IRRIscientists involved in the projectincluding Dr. Parminder Virk on new ricevarieties that can withstandenvironmental stresses such as drought,flooding, heat, cold, and salinity; Dr.Roland Buresh on nutrient management;Dr. Grant Singleton and Dr. Flor Palis on

(L-R) Mr. Julian Lapitan, IRRI project coordinator on RSSP and senior manager of IRRI National Program Relations; Dr. SantiagoObien, DA Rice Program; Deputy Exec. Dir. Jose Manuel Regalado, PhilRice; Dir. Silvino Tejada, BSWM; Dir. Nicomedes Eleazar,BAR; DA Asst. Sec. Dennis Araullo, concurrent national program coordinator for rice and corn; Dr. William Padolina, IRRIdeputy director general for operations; Dir. Asterio Saliot, ATI; and Dir. Clarito Barron, BPI. photo: MMOJICA

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research(DA-BAR) and the International

Rice Research Institute (IRRI) havecollaborated in conceptualizing a specialprogram dubbed as, “2011 Global RiceScience Scholarships (DA-BAR andIRRI Training Scholarships)” to provideopportunities and support for training thenew generation of Filipino rice scientistsand extension workers. The trainingscholarship program aims to improve thecapacity of Philippine academe and localgovernment institutions in rice scienceand development.

Int’l training scholarship for ricescientists, extensionists now open

According to Dr. Carmencita V.Kagaoan, head of BAR's InstitutionalDevelopment Division (IDD), thescholarship covers an internship and on-the-job training at IRRI which, as theleading global rice researchorganization, is an excellent trainingground for young rice researchers andgraduate students. Students fromeligible state universities and colleges(SUCs) may apply for the internshipwhile the on-the-job training is forqualified rice scientists and extensionworkers, and instructors and professorsfrom eligible Philippine agricultural

agencies and universities. Womenapplicants are particularly enjoined toavail of the training scholarship at IRRI.

“This is a good opportunity forFilipino researchers and scientists asthey can be developed under thesupervision of some of the leadingscientists in a world class scientificenvironment,” Dr. Kagaoan added.

The training scholarship periodis from two weeks to three monthsdepending on the topic and rigor of theresearch in the areas of rice science andrelated systems.

The scholarship covers theround trip airfare to/from Manila (ifapplicable); monthly stipend to coverlodging, laundry and food/subsistence;local medical and accident insurance;local travel if required; computer andnetwork access; and research support.

The closing date of applicationis on 31 March 2011. ### (Rita T. delaCruz)

--------Interested applicants may send theirapplications with original copies of all therequired documents to:

Global Rice Science Scholarships (DA-BARand IRRI Training Scholarships)Office of Scholars' Affairs, Training CenterInternational Rice Research Institute (IRRI)DAPO Box 7777Metro Manila, Philippines

For more information please email:

or visit: orIRRITraining@cgiar.org

http://www.training.irri.orghttp://www.bar.gov.ph

NEWS NEWS

2 BAR hronicleC January 2011 Issue 11BAR hronicleC

BAR hronicleCBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

ISO 9001:2000

Managing Editor/Layout:Consulting Editor:Writers/Contributors:

Reproduction/Printing:ACD Head:Adviser:

Rita T. dela CruzVictoriano B. Guiam

Ricardo G. Bernardo and Anthony A. ConstantinoJulia A. LapitanNicomedes P. Eleazar, PhD, CESO IV

Ma. Eloisa H. Aquino, Patrick L. Cabrera, Rita T. dela CruzPatrick R. A. Lesaca, and Miko Jazmine J. Mojica

ISSN 1655-3942

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Articles are also available online, visit our official website:

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BAR CHRONICLE is published monthly by the

Applied Communication Division of the Department

of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research,

RDMIC Building, Visayas Avenue, cor. Elliptical

Road, Diliman, Quezon City 1104 Philippines.

This publication provides regular updates on DA-

BAR’s activities as the country’s national coordinator

for agriculture and fisheries R&D. It also highlights

features and news articles concerning NaRDSAF-

member institutions.

PRODUCTION TEAM

January 2011 Issue

the Integrated Rice Research Consortium;and Dr. Noel Magor on the Pinoy RiceKnowledge Bank (Pinoy RKB).

Both IRRI and DA are especiallyproud about their joint accomplishmentsin capacity building particularly onstrengthening ICT for farmer's use suchas the Nutrient Manager for Rice Mobile(NMRiceMobile) and the Pinoy RKB.The NMRiceMobile, launched at ATIearlier this month, is the world's firstmobile application that allows farmerseasy access to information about ricespecifically on fertilizer management. Onthe other hand, the Pinoy RKBcollaboration between PhilRice and IRRIis already accessible online and providesup-to-date information on rice productionusing the PalayCheck system.

The team of IRRI experts,headed by Dr. Padolina, also showed theDA delegation its long-term croppingtrials, international rice genebank,ecological engineering field trial, DA-IRRI seed production experiment site,and the geographic information systems(GIS) office.

One of the notable outcomes ofthe meeting was BAR Dir. Eleazar's

DA, IRRI...from page 1

proposal to expand the scope of IRRI'secological engineering researchactivities to the DA's RegionalIntegrated Agricultural ResearchCenters (RIARCs) which implementR&D projects nationwide particularlythose funded through BAR.

Ecologicalengineering is the design ofecosystems for the mutualbenefit of humans and nature.It involves restoring floralbiodiversity to provideresources for natural enemiesagainst pests and diseases inthe field. IRRI is now lookingat sesame as among thenatural enemies of rice pests.Incidentally, BAR has on-

going project through the RIARCbased in Bicol on sesame productionand it is now looking into thepossibility of also promoting sesame'sbenefits on crop protection.

The group looks forward tofollow-up meetings on seedproduction and distribution throughIRRI and BPI's collaboration, and toinvite IRRI's GIS experts to discussthe use of satellite images invalidating and confirming actual areaplanted and harvested to rice byseason through collaboration with theBSWM. On its own, BAR is alreadymonitoring and evaluating four on-going special projects with IRRI. ###

(Miko Jazmine J. Mojica)

Dr. Roland Buresh (right), IRRI principal scientist, Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD),briefs the DA delegation on the Long-term Continuous Cropping Experiment (LCCE), the mostintensively cultivated experimental site in the world where three crops of high-yielding rice are growneach year with irrigation and best management practices. photo: MMOJICA

For this CPAR project, the aimis to establish rubber plantations withspecific components geared towardsincreasing productivity and income offarmers. Among the package oftechnologies (POTs) introduced in theproject site are crop and poultryproduction and crop-animal productionmanagement. This package oftechnologies were developed andgenerated locally for easy adoption andverification in other areas with similarbio-physical and socio-economicconditions.

The demo farm on rubber-

based farming system is farmer-managed which serves as a modelfarm for other farmers and nearbycommunities to emulate. The projectintroduced various interventions toimprove the production managementof upland farmers including plowingand harrowing, proper plantingdistance, and appropriate spacing ofintercrops.

Meanwhile, for the crop-animal integration, improved nativechicken production or upgradedbreeds of swine and/or smallruminants were introduced to augment

the income of the farmers. Upgrading ofanimals was conducted through artificialinsemination in collaboration with theOffice of the Provincial and MunicipalAgriculturist.

It is hope that through thisproject, there will be more than a rippleeffect in the nearby communities.--------For more information, please contact:Roger O. BagaforoCPAR Regional CoordinatorDA-WESMIARC, Sanito, IpilZamboanga SibugayTelefax: 062-333-2537E-mail: robagaforo@yahoo.com

The onion industry is off to a goodstart, as dozens of farmers inBongabon, Nueva Ecija are set to

harvest their crop of hybrid onionsearlier than most of their counterparts inthe province, and thus earn more.

As it is still off-season, onions(hybrids or the traditional Red Creoleand Yellow Granex) fetch higher prices,at P100 per kilo and P60 per kilo,respectively.

Quirino Francisco of Brgy.Vega, Bongagon, Nueva Ecija, whoexpects to harvest up to 28,000 kilos ofhybrid red onions and 42,000 kilos ofyellow hybrid onions from his two-hectare farm, would earn millions.

The current bright prospects ofonion farmers in Bongabon and othertowns in Nueva Ecija are a result ofseveral initiatives implemented byAgriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala.

Firstly, the Department ofAgriculture (DA) through the Bureau ofPlant Industry (BPI) has restricted theissuance of permit to import onions, saidBPI Asst. Director Dante Delima, who isthe concurrent coordinator of theNational High Value CropsDevelopment Program (HVCDP).

Secondly, late last yearSecretary Alcala offered direct assistanceto Bongabon farmers by providing themP15-million worth of hybrid onionseeds, P4.5-million worth of Red Creoleand Yellow Granex seeds, and P500,000-worth of onion seeds to farmers innearby towns, said Fernando Lorenzo,

DA Region 3.As hybrid onions mature earlier

than traditional varieties, those whoplanted in November last year will beginharvesting end of February and onto

coordinator of HVCDP

Onion farmers face bright, lucrative prospectsApril, explained Lorenzo.

Since supply isstill low, prices arerelatively high, favoringfarmers like Francisco andother Bongabon farmerswho planted hybrid onion,noted Lorenzo.

“This is goodnews for them, especiallythose who planted early, asthey are so used to sellingtheir produce at a measlyprice of P30-50 per kilo inprevious years,” Lorenzoadded.

Overall, Delima said the DAthough the HVCDP will concentrate thisyear in participatory productiontechnology development and providingonion farmers with appropriatepostharvest and storage techniques andfacilities.

“These efforts aim to maximizethe production area in the differentregions suitable for onion production toattain sufficiency and maximize exportpotential in the near future,” Delima said.

To date, the DA is assistingclose to 2,500 onion growers inBongabon and other towns in of NuevaEcija, who suffered huge losses inprevious years due low prices duringharvest, compounded by the entry ofcheap imported onions from China.

Bongabon is considered as thecountry's onion capital, with about 3,000hectares planted to the crop, which ismore one-half of Nueva Ecija's totalonion hectarage.

In 2009, total onion productionamounted to 127 million kilos, of which57 percent (or 72.7M kilos) came fromNueva Ecija.

Starting in November 2010, DAhas been encouraging farmers to planthybrid onion varieties as these couldyield up to three times than traditionalvarieties.

“With hybrids, farmers couldharvest up to 1,200 sacks (of 28 kiloseach) per hectare compared to only 400bags of ordinary varieties,” said Lorenzo.“ (There'sreally a big difference),” he emphasized.

The only problem with hybrids,Lorenzo stressed, is its short storage life.Hybrids can be stored from three monthsto a maximum of six months. Traditionalvarieties can be stored beyond sixmonths.

This is one of the issues that thegovernment wishes to address, addedDelima.

As such, research anddevelopment (R&D) for dryingtechnology, storage facilities and otherpostharvest systems will be undertakenby DA through the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), the DAregional offices, and other privateinstitutions.

Napakalaki ng diperensya

### (DA InformationService)

Upland farmers...from page 10

NEWSFEATURE

10 3BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleCJanuary 2011 Issue January 2011 Issue

Eleazar presents R&Dprogram to private sector

Adlai

Prompted by the big interest fromthe private sector about the latestprogram of the Department of

Agriculture (DA), which is thepromotion of as a viable alternativefood crop for Filipinos, Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar served as theresource speaker on the potentials of thisnovel plant during the weekly forum ofthe Management Association of thePhilippines-Agribusiness andCountryside Development (MAP-ABCD) Foundation, Inc. at theMetropolitan Club, Makati City on 25January 2011.

, which comes from thesame family of grass as wheat, corn, andrice, grows organically in many parts ofthe country. The plant is now endemic inthe Philippines but it remainsunderutilized. In his presentation,Director Eleazar introduced the uses,benefits, and potentials of as wellas the objectives and initial R&Dactivities of BAR on the crop.

“We are promoting as oneof the important alternative food crops aspart of the DA's food staple selfsufficiency program. But since we areonly in the initial phase of its

adlai

Adlai

adlai

adlai

development, we are focusing ouractivities on its adaptability underdifferent agro-climatic conditionsnationwide,” Eleazar said.

At present, BAR is supportingadaptability trials in Regions 2, 4, 5,and 10 through the DA RegionalIntegrated Agricultural ResearchCenters (RIARCs). Given the nutritiousqualities of , BAR is likewisesupporting the development of differentfood products such as(which is similar to cooked rice) andother recipes using the glutinous varietyof .

Adlai is processed into flour,coffee, tea, wine, beer, and vinegar inother countries such as South Korea,Japan, China, and Korea. It is alsovalued for its medicinal uses with itsanti-allergic, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic properties. Aside from its useas a food source, the hard shelledvariety is meanwhile made intoaccessories such as necklaces,bracelets, and rosaries by localhandicraftsmen.

“The objectives of the R&Dprogram on include developingthe technologies on its culturalmanagement practices, postharvest and

adlai

sinaing na adlai

adlai

adlai

adlaiprocessing, and seed production systems.Moreover, it aims to promote 's useas feed for livestock and poultry, andrecommend promising varieties forregistration in the National Seed IndustryCouncil (NSIC).

During the open forum, somemembers of the MAP-ABCDrecommended exploring the fullpotential of as a feed source andaddress its social acceptability. Some ofits members expressed interest onintroducing production andprocessing technologies to farmers whocan benefit from this program.

The MAP-ABCD expressedtheir appreciation to Director Eleazar forsharing information about throughtheir weekly forum. The forum waspresided by MAP-ABCD ChairmanRamon K. Ilusorio who is known as theFather of Philippine Money Market andfounder of Multinational InvestmentBancorporation, the oldest and onlyindependent investment bank in thePhilippines.

adlai

adlai

adlai

adlai

adlai

### (Miko Jazmine J.Mojica)

photo: MMOJICA

BAR Dir. Nicomedes P. Eleazar discusses thepotentials of and the bureau’s R&Dinitiatives during the weekly forum of MAP-ABCD in Makati City.

adlai

Attendees at the MAP-ABCD forum discuss their interest on the potential of and otherviable crops such as sweet sorghum with Director Eleazar.

adlaiphoto: MMOJICA

Situated outside the typhoon belt,Region 9 or the ZamboangaPeninsula has a good agro-

climatic condition and a favorable soiltype suited for planting high valuecrops. Despite these advantages,agricultural production, particularly inthe uplands, remains unproductive andthe farmers are still living onsubsistence level. One of the identifiedproblems is that, most upland farmersstill practice the mono-cropping systemresulting to low production and poorsoil nutrient due to continuous plantingof the same crop throughout thecropping season.

Given the major thrusts of thegovernment on hunger mitigation,poverty alleviation, and ecologicalrehabilitation in the uplands, there is aneed to develop practical farmingsystems, sustainable farm practices, andintensive extension services. Hence, aCommunity-based Participatory ActionResearch (CPAR) was introduced toempower marginalized upland farmersto make use of their locally availableresources, plan their activities and

Story and Photo by:RITA T. DELA CRUZ

Uplifting the lives of upland farmersthrough rubber-based farming system

execute their plans in a participativeway.

With funding support fromthe Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR), the project titled, “CPAR inPromoting Upland ResourceManagement and Increasing Farmer'sIncome in Rubber-Based FarmingSystem at Zamboanga City” wasimplemented by the Department ofAgriculture-Western MindanaoIntegrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (DA-WESMIARC). Incollaboration with the localgovernment units, and farmersassociation, the project hopes toimprove the lives of upland farmers byincreasing their production and profitthrough community-basedparticipatory activities and initiatives.

The CPAR project wasimplemented in Calabasa, CuruanDistrict and Sibulao, Vitali District inZamboanga City. Although these twoadjacent barangays produce high-value agricultural crops including fruittrees, corn, upland rice and rubber,they are considered among the

economically-depressed areas in theregion. Since most farmers are onlycommitted to traditional uplandfarming practices of monocroppingshort-term crops, most of the farms areleft idle and unproductive after corncropping season.

An important component ofthis CPAR project is the establishmentof a rubber-based farming system thatserves as a show window of theinterventions introduced vis-à-vis thefarmers' existing practices.

Planting rubber is already anincome-generating activity but since itis a perennial crop, intercropping itwith shorter duration annual and cashcrops such as banana, fruit trees, cornand legumes offers a win-win scenario.Intercropping of rubber with cashcrops has been well-practiced andgreatly benefitted the farmers. Earlierstudies showed that intercropping notonly accelerated rubber growth andprolong the rubber production period,but also bring high economic,ecological and social benefits in a shorttime.

next page

NEWS FEATURE

4 9BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleCJanuary 2011 Issue January 2011 Issue

In any organization that strives forexcellence and quality service,change is a crucial and constant

element to achieve success in all aspectsof its being. “And we, at the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), mustwelcome change so that we'll continue toinnovate and be better in what we do,”hence, the message of Dir. Nicomedes P.Eleazar as he led key staff in the conductof BAR's Annual Review and PlanningWorkshop on 12-14 January 2011 inTagaytay City.

The three-day activity was aimedat planning the key activities vital to theimplementation of the Bureau's majorprograms, and at identifying adjustmentsin organizational policies and systems toachieve the overall productivity goals ofBAR and the DA. The activity was alsoconducted to assess the bureau'sperformance in the previous year.

One of the important adaptationsto change that the bureau is doing isrealigning its R&D plans and programs tothe latest policy pronouncements of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) and bemore responsive to the challenges andissues that are happening in worldagriculture.

In view of this, Planning UnitHead Joell H. Lales, presented the

Framework to update BAR's key staff onits fundamentals. This framework nowserves as the backbone or foundation on

Agrikulturang Pinoy (Agri-Pinoy)

BAR Chief encourages staff tocontinue improving, innovating

which the DA programs and initiativesare to be built on and implemented inaccordance to the priority needs of theagriculture and the fishery sectors.

is actually a set ofprinciples focused on developingPhilippine agricultural resources andcapabilities to meet Philippine needs.The framework is anchored on fourguiding principles: 1) food security; 2)sustainable agriculture and self-sufficiency; 3) natural resourcemanagement; and 4) local development.Mr. Lales presented theaccomplishments of in the

Agri Pinoy

Agri-Pinoy

first six months of Secretary Proceso J.Alcala and strategic plans including thechallenges that must be addressed toachieve sustainable agriculture.

Other presentations highlightedduring the activity to provide directionand guidance to BAR included: R&DFlowchart for Rice, Guidelines on theAvailment of the National Rice ProgramR&D Fund, Updates from the NationalBudget Forum organized by theDepartment of Budget and Management(DBM), and new policies on financialmanagement issued by the DA andDBM.

Meanwhile, to improveproductivity and management in thebureau, a proposed restructuring of thebureau's internal organogramwas presented to the body forconsultation and finalization.

Director Eleazar led thesessions and enjoined everyone to throwin their freshest ideas and suggestionson how to enhance the currentoperations of the bureau. A groupworkshop was conducted the outputs ofwhich were presented during theplenary for comments and suggestions.

BAR Asst. Dir. Teodoro S.Solsoloy concluded the activity on apositive note at the same time statingthe need for working harder given thehuge tasks ahead.

ad hoc

### (Rita T. delaCruz)

photo: RDELACRUZ

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (center) leads the session as he encourageseveryone to throw in their fresh ideas and suggestions on how to better improvethe current operations at the bureau. Also in the photo are: Asst. Dir. Teodoro S.Solsoloy (left) and Planning Unit Head Joell H. Lales (right).

photo: RDELACRUZ

BAR staff listen as Mr. Joel H. Lales, head of BAR’s Planning Unit,presents the Framework which serves as the backbone orfoundation of the DA programs and initiatives.

Agri-Pinoy

In the previous administration, theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) wasblessed with dedicated public

stewards and programs crafted toenhance the living conditions of theFilipino people particularly the farmersand fisherfolk. In this period, the DAposted positive gains in all sectors andsub-sectors of agriculture.

The challenge to attaining foodsufficiency and security was taken on byevery DA bureau, field unit and lineagency. Countless meetings and planningassessments called by the then DA chiefwere thoroughly implemented under theprime objective - “The Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) was in the thick of the action.

The year 2010 also marked theend of an era in which the 2004 – 2010Medium Term Agricultural DevelopmentPlan that provided the overall blueprintfor agricultural development proved tobe sound.

The new national leadershipbrought about by the May 2010 nationalelections is now shaping anew theeconomic and political landscape of theland. Agriculture was squarely in thecenter of this big change.

Former Secretary Arthur C. Yapleft a legacy of a vibrant and responsivesector as he intensified all thecomponents under the FIELDS program(Fertilizer, Irrigation, Extension Loans,Dryers and Seeds) under his watch. Theprogram laid down the premise that, inorder to promote viable agriculture andfisheries development, there is need togenerate technologies that willeventually create market niches. And,along this school of thought, linkingthese technologies to the proper channels(market linkages) was seen as imperativein the fight against poverty and inensuring that the supply of food wasadequate. To Secretary Yap, agricultureis business.

It was also during this time thatBAR intensified its own banner

Food for All”.

From FIELDS to Agri PinoyStory by:

Photo from:PATRICK R.A. LESACA

DA-AFIS

Food for All:

programs, the Community-based Participatory ActionResearch (CPAR) and theNational TechnologyCommercialization Program(NTCP). These succeeded ingenerating the neededmomentum to translate intoreality the AFMA-drivenframework of transformingthe agriculture and fisheriessectors from being resource-based to technology-based. Ina nutshell, BAR responded tothe call of people empowerment.

The shift from Yap to SecretaryProceso 'Procy' J. Alcala is seen asanother challenge and an opportunityfor the Bureau to continue to be ofservice to the country's marginalizedfarmers and fisherfolk through its R&Dthrusts and initiatives.

The new agri chief, who was

an elected representative of the 13Congress, came to the halls of theDepartment with a mission to re-invigorate his given portfolio. Sec.Alcala received his marching ordersfrom the President of the Republic whoemphasized ensuring that there isenough food for all. To highlight itsimportance, this was even pronouncedby His Excellency during his first State-of-the-Nation Address in Congress.

Upon his assumption to office,Sec. Alcala re-defined the definition ofpublic service. To him, public service isa duty and a mission to make adifference. For the DA, this means the

th

delivery of effective and efficient “agri-service”.

To keep track and be abreast ofthe responses to challenges, theDepartment of Agriculture, under theguidance of Sec. Alcala, has crafted the

Framework, an agriculturaldevelopment modality that focuses onsustainable agriculture, localdevelopment, food security and naturalresource management. This frameworkwill serve as the new guiding principle ofthe Department in propelling the nation'sagriculture to where it should be andwhere food would be available andenough for all.

Guided by theFramework and its working philosophy,BAR will continue to fulfill its givenmandate and align its thrusts andstrategies. BAR can be counted on todeliver the needed R & D results to serveas key drivers for the furtherdevelopment of agriculture.

Agri-Pinoy

Agri-Pinoy

###

To keep track and be abreast of the responsesto challenges, the Department of Agriculture,under the guidance of Sec. Alcala, has craftedthe , an agriculturaldevelopment modality that focuses onsustainable agriculture, local development, foodsecurity and natural resource management.

Agri-Pinoy Framework

Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC8 5

“

January 2011 Issue January 2011 Issue

Cagayan Valley & Central Mindanaostart soybean varietal testings

PSB Sy 2 or is one of the NSIC-

approved varieties tested and was found to

be the most preferred and acceptable

variety among the farmers in Region 2 due

to its high-yielding attribute.

Tiwala 6

photos courtesy of: RAQUINO/DA-CVIARC

As part of the on-goingactivities under the PhilippineSoybean Roadmap, the

Department of Agriculture-CagayanValley Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (DA-CVIARC)started the conduct of varietal testingof soybean in the region.

“DA-CVIARC iscontinuously participating in themulti-location testing of soybeanthrough the conduct of NationalCooperative Test (NCT) in support tovariety recommendation to theNational Seed Industry Council(NSIC). It is also active in theproduction of registered and certifiedseeds,” Ms. Rosie Aquino of DA-RFUII said.

NSIC-approved varieties usedwere PSB Sy-2 or Tiwala 6, PSB Sy 6orTiwala 8, PSB Sy 7 or Tiwala 10,NSIC Sy 9 or Mapusyaw, PSB Sy 3and BPI sy 4. Of all the varietiestested, PSB Sy 2 or Tiwala 6 wasfound to be the most preferred andacceptable variety among the farmersin Region II due to its high-yieldingattribute.

Together with DA-CVIARC,the DA-Central Mindanao IntegratedAgricultural Research Center

(CEMIARC) is alsoin the implementationstage of the project(conduct of technologydemonstrations or techno demos andseed production activities).

The DA is now crafting thePhilippine Soybean Roadmap for 2010-2014 titled, Building SustainableSoybean Industry in the Philippines, inorder to build a strong community-based sustainable production of thecommodity and establish a viablesoybean processing industry thrupublic–private partnership initiatives.The Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) will serve as the focal unit in theconduct of various activities under theprogram.

“The creation of the NationalSoybean Development Programsupports the government's advocacy forsustainable agriculture and theattainment of food security in thecountry,” Ms. Aquino said.

For the farmers, she cited fourbeneficial impacts of soybeanproduction and utilization: 1)productivity enhancement; 2) soilfertility improvement; 3)improvement of household nutritionas a result of the consumption of aprotein-rich product; and (4) incomeaugmentation through the utilizationof soybean meal in backyard swineraising.

To date, BAR has conductedmeetings with other implementingagencies on the R&D aspects of theroadmap. “The draft roadmap isundergoing final critiquing/editing toaccommodate other suggestions madein the last technical working groupmeeting,” Ms. Aquino said. ### (Ma.Eloisa H. Aquino)

“The creation of the National Soybean DevelopmentProgram supports government's advocacy forsustainable agriculture and the attainment of foodsecurity in the country,” ~ Aquino

The strength of any researchinstitution depends on its havingand maintaining the right people

with the right skills to handle particularjobs. More than the infrastructure,developing and strengthening humanresources in R&D is an endeavor worthinvesting on.

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR), being the mandatednational coordinating body for agricultureand fishery R&D, recognizes the need forthe research community to have qualifiedand highly trained people to do the jobscrucial to the generation of newknowledge and technology. This is truefor both BAR and other units of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA).

Since 2000, BAR has beenimplementing a degree scholarshipprogram for the members of the NationalResearch Development System forAgriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF).NaRDSAF-member agencies include: theDA R&D Subsystem that consists ofnational (staff bureaus/attached agencies)and regional R&D centers(RIARCs/RFRDCs); the national andregional state universities and colleges(SUCs) and Provincial TechnologicalInstitutes for Agriculture and Fisheries(PTIAFs); and other governmentagencies with an agricultural R&Dfunction.

Under this program, the bureaumay provide financial support to aNaRDSAF member's staff who wants topursue an MS or PhD degree in any of 11accredited Philippine universities. Theseaccredited universities/colleges are: UPDiliman, UP Los Baños, UP Visayas,Central Luzon State University,University of Southern Mindanao,Mindanao State University-Naawan, DeLa Salle University, Ateneo de ManilaUniversity, Siliman University, VisayasState University, and University of SanCarlos in Cebu City.

Through this scholarship whichenables researchers and technical staff topursue graduate degrees in agricultureand fisheries sciences, and/or otherrelated fields, BAR aims to develop a

BAR intensifies support to R&Dhuman resource development

cadre of highly competent agriculturalR&D workers in the country.

Would-be scholars areevaluated based on these selectioncriteria: relevance of the course toagriculture and fisheries modernization;capability of the applicant to pursue andsuccessfully complete graduate studies;relevance of trainings attended to his orher R&D responsibilities; and numberof research projects/studies conducted.

To date, 136 scholars havebenefitted from BAR's DegreeScholarship Program since it started in2000. Out of these, 86 have completedtheir studies (46 PhD and 40 MS). Fromthese graduates, 58 are from DA, while28 are non-DA staff/employees.

Aside from the degreescholarship, BAR also providesfinancial assistance to researchers andscientists through its non-degreeprogram. This enables them to attendspecialized training programs (local orforeign), represent the country incollaborative R&D undertakings, orpresent research papers in international

scientific fora.The bureau also provides

financial support for the conduct ofthesis or dissertation studies that addressmajor problems and concerns inagriculture and fisheries through itsthesis/dissertation assistance program.This benefits students who needfinancial assistance for the conduct oftheir research or who have minimalsupport from their motherinstitutions/agencies.

The Bureau's human resourcedevelopment program for researchersresponds to the Agriculture andFisheries Modernization Act (AFMA)where the Act aims to develop the skillsand knowledge of scientists, researchers,and technical staff for the attainment ofa more responsive and efficient R&Dsystem in agriculture and fisheries. ###

(Rita T. dela Cruz)

-----For more information about the BARScholarship Programs, please visit:http://www.bar.gov.ph

photos: RDELACRUZ

To date, 136 scholars benefitted from BAR'sDegree Scholarship Program since it started in

2000 from which 86 have completed theirstudies (46 PhD and 40 MS).

NEWS NEWS

6 7BAR hronicleCBAR hronicleC January 2011 IssueJanuary 2011 Issue

The HVCDP, in response to theclamor for change, will now have asynergistic approach in

implementing the program. There will nowbe new energy, new talent, new skills andnew resources in their proper places tomaximize the program's potentials.Collaboration and unity shall beencouraged and there will be detailedagreements for program implementation inthe regions. For each commodity, aroadmap shall be crafted,” said Dante S.Delima, director of High Value CropsDevelopment Program (HVCDP) duringthe conduct of its program orientation anddirection setting activity on 20-21 January2011 in Butuan City.

The activity was held toharmonize the banner programs of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) inattaining food safety and self-sufficiencyand to finalize intervention plans andprograms in all regions.

Participants included staff andofficials from the HVCDP ManagementOffice, Regional Field Units-RegionalExecutive Directors (RFU-REDs),Regional Technical Directors (RTDs),Regional HVCDP Coordinators, andrepresentatives from the DA attached

HVCDP will nowhave a synergisticapproach ~ Delima A

s an offshoot activity of theproject, “Sweet Sorghumvalidation trials in collaboration

with ethanol stakeholders in NegrosOccidental”, the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR), in cooperation with twostate universities, the University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB) and theMariano Marcos State University(MMSU), conducted a training-seminaron “Cultural Management/ScientificPlanting of Sweet Sorghum” in BacolodCity, Negros Occidental.

BAR's TechnologyCommercialization Division Head, Mr.Anthony B. Obligado, delivered theopening remarks on behalf of BARDirector Nicomedes P. Eleazar. “Withsweet sorghum being a viable alternativeraw material for bioethanol productionand a competitive feedstock with highpotential in terms of bioethanol yield, it iscrucial that we prepare planters andagriculturists on sweet sorghumproduction here in Negros where some ofthe biggest bioethanol plant distilleries inthe country are situated,” Obligado said.

MMSU Vice President HeraldoL. Layaoen discussed the importance ofsweet sorghum as food and feed, asfeedstock for bioethanol, and its uniquefeatures as a field crop. He also talkedabout the soil and climatic requirements ofsweet sorghum as well as the cane andgrain production of the crop.

Meanwhile, UPLB Prof. Rex B.Demafelis, the sweet sorghum projectleader, shared his knowledge on thepotentials of the crop as source bioethanol

“ agencies and staff bureaus including theBureau of Agricultural Research (BAR).The participants were welcomed byButuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante,Jr.

Formerly known as High ValueCommercial Crops Program (HVCC),the program's name was returned to theoriginal - High Value CropsDevelopment Program (HVCDP) inkeeping with the High Value CropsDevelopment Act of 1995 (RA 7900)which mandates the program to promotethe production, processing, marketing,and distribution of high value crops.

With the main goal of increasingproduction, income and livelihoodopportunities among small producers andestablishing access to affordable, safeand health food, HVCDP specificallyaims to: 1) deliver appropriatedevelopment support services; 2)facilitate and harmonize developmentinterventions in strategic productionzones/areas; 3) facilitate and promoteaccess to local and international markets;and 4) provide proactive managementactions on demand and supply situationson the high value commodities.

Under the program, the

following are the priority commodities:industrial crops (rubber, coffee, cacao,and abaca), vegetables (spices,lowland, upland, and indigenous),local priority fruits, and staple foodcrops and legumes ( banana,several rootcrops, , and soybean).

Dir. Delima presented theHVCDP development plan whichdetails all the specific interventions inthe regions. With regard to R&D, helaid emphasis on its intensification bylocal and regional partners. Thenational and local R&D agenda shouldbe consolidated and should jive witheach other. He also mentioned thatagencies that can contribute tomarketing of the agricultural producewill be tapped by the HVCDP.

Also discussed were theprocesses of project development,evaluation and approval under theprogram which will guide and assistthe regions in proposing andimplementing their respective HVCDPregional projects.

To show his full support to theHVCDP, Secretary Proceso J. Alcalaattended the Program Orientation andDirection Setting exercise andreminded the regions to put emphasison the agricultural products that arevery marketable and have industrialuses. This is in relation to the “farm totable” concept in thestrategic framework of the DA.

Sec. Alcala envisions that theHVCDP will contribute highly tostrengthening the linkage between theDA and LGUs through collaborativeefforts/projects from the national downto the local levels under the program.

sabaadlai

Agri-Pinoy

### (Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera)

Dante S. Delima, director of High Value CropsDevelopment Program (HVCDP)

Sweet sorghum training-seminarin Negros Occidental kicked-off

feedstock.Representatives from the

sugarcane companies in Negros, farmer-entrepreneurs, provincial and municipalagricultural officers, and localgovernment unit (LGU) techniciansattended the activity.

BAR serves as the focal agencyof the Department of Agriculture (DA)for the R&D component of its BiofuelsProgram. Since the introduction of sweetsorghum in the country by theInternational Crop Research Institute forthe Semi-arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in2005, BAR has been promoting the cropthrough various research initiatives andactivities particularly in the initialproduction of sweet sorghum feedstock.

Negros Occidental, dubbed asthe sugar capital of the Philippines, is the

country's top sugar producer with most ofits vast agricultural land planted tosugarcane. This is an equally importantcrop as sweet sorghum because sugarcaneis presently the major source of the rawmaterial for bioethanol. NegrosOccidental is the home of two of thebiggest bioethanol plants in the country.

In collaboration with thebioethanol companies in NegrosOccidental, the project aims to conductpre-commercial crop validation trials toshow sweet sorghum's potential as acomplement to sugarcane as bioethanolfeedstock.

“This project is crucial inproviding a viable support and options forthose who will be involved in sweetsorghum planting either as acomplementary or alternative to sugarcaneas bioethanol feedstock,” Mr. Obligadosaid.

Activities incorporated in theproject include on-site assessment visits tothe cooperators' pre-selected plantationtrial areas in Negros Occidental (SanCarlos, La Carlota, Victorias, Murci andSagay City to be conducted by BAR-commissioned experts. These experts willalso conduct training on planting andother cultural management of sweetsorghum and will provide continuoustechnical assistance and supervision onthe crop's planting in the selected areas.While BAR will provide the needed seedsand fertilizer, the companies will providethe labor and land. ### (Ma. Eloisa H.Aquino)

photo: AOBLIGADO/TCD

BAR TCD Head Anthony Obligado reports on the bureau’s initiativeson sweet sorghum production for bioethanol.

photo: AOBLIGADO/TCD

UPLB Prof. Rex B. Demafelis (left), sweet sorghum project leader and MMSU Vice President Dr.Heraldo Layaoen (center) during their field visit in Negros Occidental.

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