Volume 9 Issue No. 6 A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research JUNE 2008

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BAR 2007 BINHI AWARDEEAgricultural Newsletter of the Year

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

ISSN 1655-3942Department of Agriculture

RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave.,cor. Elliptical Rd.Diliman,Quezon City 1104PHILIPPINES

Entered as second class mail at the Quezon City Central Post Office under permit no. 753-01 NCR

NEWS

BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

IN THIS ISSUE...

DA eyes 450,000 metric tons rubber.......................................1

Researchers from IAARD visit BAR........................................3Korean journalist visits BAR...................................................3CLSU teams up with local government..................................4DA-SUC-LGU to systematize efforts on collaborative..........4Collaborative RDE projects on banana reviewed..................5BAR to continue supporting basic research..........................6

WorldFish Center, BAR link up for a capacity........................2

Book on tree planting launched..............................................6Ormoc holds 6th National Vegetable Congress.....................7

BAR participates in 7th ......................................8

VSU supports intensification drive of CPAR.........................10

BAR launches 5 books and an -book under SPG...............11

Farms Scoping Session and Hands-on...................12

BAR to conduct agri and fisheries forum..............................12

Battad lectures on village-based enterprises.......................13FEATURE: When it rains, it pours..........................................14FEATURE: Savoring sweet-profit...........................................15

Who’s new at BAR?.................................................................16

Agraryo Fair

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TheDepartment ofAgriculture (DA)

targets to expand thecountry's natural rubberproduction to 450,000 metric tons thisyear as part of its 15-year plan to make thePhilippines a major player worldwide.

This was announced by AgricultureSecretary Arthur C. Yap during a press conferenceprior to the 4 ASEAN Rubber Conference which thePhilippines hosted this year at the Crowne Plaza,Galleria, Ortigas, Pasig City on 5-7 June 2008.

Natural rubber is a lucrative market in the globalrubber industry and is expected to sustain price increases inthe next 20 years, according to the Philippine RubberIndustries Association (PRIA) which co-organized the eventwith DA.

“To meet the requirements of the future, as globalconsumption for natural rubber is expected to reach 31.8 milliontons by 2020, the DA is focused on its the National RubberDevelopment Program (NRDP) to expand the current areaplanted to rubber totaling 92,000 hectares to one million

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DA eyes 450,000 metric tonsrubber production in 2008

hectares, and increase production and exports to $960 million all by2020,” Yap said.

The goal of DA is to replant 36,000 hectares to rubber thisyear. Among the provinces identified as viable areas for rubberproduction are Sultan Kudarat, Isabela, Maguindanao, Benguet,Camarines Sur, Palawan, Antique, Negros Oriental, Negros

Occidental, and Mindoro Occidental.The Philippines has about 92,000 hectares planted to rubber

that yielded more than 380,000 mt of natural rubber last year. Currentfarm gate price for locally unprocessed and processed rubber are

P100 and P150 per kilo, respectively.While the DA has earmarked P70 million

this year to boost NRDP, it is mindful ofchallenges that the Philippine rubber industry

DA Usec. Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras delivers the keynote speechon behalf of Sec. Arthur C. Yap.

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (front row, third from left), poses with DAUndersecretary Jesus Emmanuel M. Paras (front row, center), other governmentofficials, heads of private sector-led rubber industries, and heads of delegationsfrom other countries who receive plaques of appreciation for taking part in the 4thASEAN Rubber Conference.

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Who's new at BAR ?

Eloisa C. Abundo, fondly calledas “Aisa,” is the new staffmember under the General

Services Unit of the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR). Shejoined BAR in April first as a technicalstaff worker at the Project DevelopmentDivision (PDD) and was latertransferred at the Administrative Unit.At 28, she is an academic achieverhaving finished two BS degrees in FoodTechnology at Central Luzon StateUniversity and in Nursing at the MVGallego Foundation College inCabanatuan City. She also finished herMA Nursing from the same college. Sheenjoys reading and is a music- andmovie-lover. Her working principle is to“Work like you don't need the money,love like you've never been hurt, anddance like nobody's watching.”

Shyr Lynn D. Albao or

simply “Shale” is the latest addition to the

Technology Commercialization Unit

(TCU) in May. She is 23 years old and a

graduate of BS Chemical Engineering at

the University of the Philippines Los

Baños. Her interests include writing short

stories, photography, scriptwriting, and

film making. She also loves reading

novels, listening to music, and traveling.

When asked about her aspirations, she said

that she dreams of back-packing to India

with little or no cash and immersing in its

diversified culture. She believes that

achievement is never sought; it is a

requirement from oneself. That is why she

tries to see as much, hear as much, and

learn as much as she can everyday.

Also hired in May was

or Tina, the new

staff member at the Accounting Section of

Maria

Christina F. Francisco

the bureau's Finance

Unit. She is 20 years

old, graduated BS in

Nursing from Our

Lady of Fatima

University. Her

hobbies include

reading books related

to psychiatric nursing,

cooking, and listening

to music. She is now looking forward to

being a certified nurse as she prepares

herself for the nursing licensure

examination in December. “To

accomplish great things, we must not only

dream, but also act,” says Tina.or

“PR” was assigned at TCU. He graduatedBS Management at the TechnologicalInstitute of the Philippines. Before joiningBAR, he was an information officer in agovernment financial institution for fouryears. His interests consist of writing,photography, and video editing. A GawadKalinga (GK) volunteer and a member ofthe Couples for Christ-Singles for Christ(CFC-SFC), he is married and has twokids, both boys, aged 9 and 13. For him,“selflessness leads to great ambition.”

or “Malou”joined BAR in April and is a graduate ofBS Business Administration (major infinancial and managerial accounting)from Tarlac State University. She is 25years old and works as a cashieringassistant under the Administration Unit.She loves cross-stitching, reading novels,and listening to romantic songs as herpastime. She enjoys cooking Filipinodishes such as the popular and

. When asked about her careerphilosophy, she said that having aproductive outcome of work requires loveand perseverance in the job.

Patrick Raymund A. Lesaca

Marilou A. Guiang

sinigangadobo

(ChristmasB. de Guzman)

(L-R) Patrick Raymund A. Lesaca, Eloisa C. Abundo, Marilou A. Guiang , Shyr Lynn D.Albao, and Maria Christina F. Francisco

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BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The official monthly publication of DA-BAR

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FEATURE

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RITA T. DELA CRUZmanaging editor/layout

MANUEL F. BONIFACIO, PhD

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhDRITA T. DELA CRUZ

CHRISTMAS B. DE GUZMANMA. ELOISA E. HERNANDEZMIKO JAZMINE J. MOJICA

consulting editor

writers

BAR Chronicle is the monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA), which is mandated to ensure that all agricultural researches arecoordinated and undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture. This publication provides regularupdates on BAR s activities as the country s national coordinator for agriculture and fisheriesR&D.It also highlights features and news articles concerning NaRDSAF-member institutions.

RICARDO G. BERNARDOANTHONY A. CONSTANTINO

JULIA A. LAPITANVICTORIA G. RAMOS

reproduction/printing

circulation

JULIA A. LAPITAN

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhD

NICOMEDES P. ELEAZAR, CESO IV

assistant head, MISD

head, MISD

adviser

For subscription and inquiries please contact: , ManagementInformation and Systems Division (MISD), Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture 3/FRDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave., cor. Elliptical Rd., Diliman, Quezon City 1104 PHILIPPINESTelephone No.+63 (02) 928-8505 local 3026-3027 Fax: (02) 927-5691 or (02) 927-0227e-mail: Articles are also available online. Please visit us at:

Applied Communication Section

misd-acs@bar.gov.ph http://www.bar.gov.ph

WorldFish Center RegionalDirector for East and SoutheastAsia Maripaz L. Perez and

Assistant Scientist for Coastal and MarineResource Program Len R. Garces visitedthe Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)on 1 July 2008 for a possible collaborativeeffort particularly in strengthening thecompetence of fishery R&D system. TheWorldFish Center and BAR officials met atthe bureau's Conference Room, RDMICBuilding, Visayas Avenue, Diliman,Quezon City.

The WorldFish Center is aninternational, non-profit organization with amission of reducing poverty and hungerthrough research-for-developmentinitiatives to improve the small-scalefisheries and aquaculture sector.

BAR's initiatives are focused oneight priority programs, one of which is theInstitutional Development Program. Thebureau envisions to develop the corecompetence in fishery R&D system,

The WorldFish Center, BAR link up

for a capacity building programthrough HumanResource DevelopmentProgram.

With this,BAR, under theleadership of DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar,has linked up withWorldFish Center for acapacity buildingprogram intended forBAR staff and RegionalFisheries Research andDevelopment Centers(RFDRC) managers.This will coverretooling, training, andstudy tours to successfulWorldFish projects inPenang, Malaysia and itsregional sites.

Perez presentedthe WorldFish Center portfolio and its threekey areas of competencies. On the naturalresource management, Dir. Eleazar noted someof the post-disaster livelihood recovery andmanagement programs in fisheries-dependent

regions as one of the recent major concernsof the Department. In this area, DA,together with The WorldFish Center, coulddevelop management programs and projectsbefore, during, and after disasters for thefisheries sector.

Meanwhile, Garces presented theproposal on “

.” This is to identify successfulgovernance arrangement for small-scalefisheries using an ecosystem-basedmanagement approach, Garces said.

Dir. Eleazar committed to supportthe conduct of stakeholder consultations andprovision of technical assistance of TheWorldFish Center to the RDRFC, and otherkey partners. This will also cover the supplychain analysis and management for fish andfish-based products.

Other areas of interest for possiblecollaborative work are on country adaptationof vulnerability assessment, which includessetting up of suitability maps and aninformation system development on invasivespecies.

Strengthening Governance andSustainability of Small-Scale FisheriesManagement in the Philippines: AnEcosystem-based Fisheries ManagementApproach

(Ma. Eloisa E. Hernandez)

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (left) and WorldFish CenterRegional Director for East and Southeast Asia Maripaz L.Perez (right) discuss collaborative efforts during the meeting.

WorldFish Center and BAR officials

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Citrus, which includes oranges,lemons, and mandarins, ranks fourthamong the national priority fruit

crops in the Philippines, next to banana,pineapple and mango in terms of production,volume and value.

Nueva Vizcaya is one of theleading producers of fruits and vegetables inCagayan Valley. The high and mediumelevated municipalities of the province arefavored with climate and soil suitable for thecommercial production of various species ofcrops. Citrus is one of the fruit cropscommercially grown in the province and isnow contributing significantly to itseconomic development.

Citrus production in NuevaVizcaya is concentrated in the highlands ofKasibu particularly in Muta and MalabingValleys where more than a thousandhectares of land are planted with a range ofcitrus species and are still expanding.Orchards in these areas are bounded bymountains with thick forest cover thatinfluences prolonged periods of rains thataugment better fruiting of trees. Likewise,fruiting and fruit development are alsoenhanced by cool night and hot daytemperature in the valley.

The barangays of Tadjie,Malabing, Binugawan, Wangal, Papaya, andCapissaan represent the main productionarea in Malabing Valley. Majority of itscitrus growers are members of the Malabing

Valley Farmers Cooperative. Thecooperative aims to facilitate not onlyaccess of members to training andavailable technologies on citrus productionand postharvest operations but also accessto capital and trading.

Generally, several species ofcitrus are highly adaptive to the country.The most important are calamondin(locally known as ), mandarin,sweet orange, pummelo, navel, lime, andlemon.

Citrus can be propagated bybudding, grafting, and marcotting. Forcommercial production, propagation can bedone asexually through shield or chipbudding. Shield and chip budding are theunion of a desired scion variety and a

kalamansi

suitable rootstock. Grafting and marcottingalso give satisfactory results, but thesemethods are wasteful for propagatingmaterials. Thus, these are recommended onlyfor small-scale propagation.

The problem on the graduallydeclining productivity of citrus trees inNueva Vizcaya is due to graft-transmissiblediseases, which primarily, is a consequenceof the multiplication of infected scions andbuds from infected mother trees.

In July 2007, citrus growers inKasibu were alarmed over the spread of aviral disease wreaking havoc on theirproduce. The actual situation of theprovince's citrus plantations was reportedlyaffected with viral infestation.

, also known ascitrus greening disease, is capable ofdestroying harvestable citrus fruits byaround 50 percent. It causes the suddenyellowing of their leaves which results inlow yield. To date, the disease and its insectvector, are found in allgrowing areas in the country, resulting tolow productivity and loss of trees.

To control the spread of citrusdiseases, the Malabing Valley FarmersCooperative, Nueva Vizcaya StateUniversity (NVSU) and the Kasibumunicipal government created “Task ForceSagip Citrus.” Among the solutions agreedwas to cut down the infected trees and theirimmediate replacement by disease-free

Huang Long Bing

Diaphorina citri,

Savoring sweet-profit fromNueva Vizcaya's citrus industry

Christmas B. de Guzman

seedlings. Other mitigating measuresincluded prohibiting farmers to do self-propagate citrus and preventive sprayingof citrus plants which were identified asmost prone to the disease. Propermanagement of citrus to maintain itsmarketability was given major attention. Itis said that if the infestation remainedunattended, the critical predicament mighthave lead to the eventual death of thecitrus industry in the province. As of thepresent, the members of the task forceserve as key persons in implementingcitrus disease eradication plans.

Thousands of farming familieswithin the Kasibu area, especially inMalabing Valley, depend on the citrusindustry in the province which has grownto a huge money earner in the span ofaround 15 years. Still today, many smallgrowers are dependent on it despiteproblems affecting its marketability. Dueto the government's goal of increasingagricultural land and crop productivity,there has been a renewed interest in citrusgrowing as evidenced by increasingdemand for planting materials. What theMalabing Valley Farmers Cooperativewants to achieve now, along withsufficient support from the researchauthorities, is a citrus nursery withsufficient supply of quality plantingmaterials to meet the demand of the localgrowers for their orchard production.

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FEATURE NEWS

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TThe Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) led by Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar welcomed a team of

researchers from the Indonesian Agency forAgricultural Research and Development(IAARD) for a briefing on 29 June 2008.The activity was part of the exchange studyvisit between Indonesia and the Philippines.

IAARD is the R&D arm of theIndonesian Ministry of Agriculture whichaims to generate responsive agriculturalinnovation suited to the dynamic of ruralareas and the needs of their beneficiaries.One of its missions is to create, engineer, anddevelop strategic and location-specifictechnologies and make policyrecommendations for the agricultural sector.

Researchers from

IAARD visit BAR

Likewise, the IAARD hopes to hasten thedissemination of technology andinformation to the beneficiaries, strengthennational and international collaborationsin science and technology, and improve theInstitution’s role in the agribusiness sectorand overall agricultural development of thecountry.

Heading the Indonesiandelegation was Dr. I Made Mahardika,research manager and project financeofficer of IAARD. He was joined by Mr. IrSumanto, senior researcher and projectofficer; Mr. Ir Subagio, head ofeconomics; and Ms. Ir Roni Nurhastuti,head of agricultural services.

The Indonesian visitors were

presented the BAR Story, a documentary aboutBAR's history, mandate, and R&D directions andpriority programs, including Dir. Eleazar's eight-point strategy.

The study visit was conducted toimprove the R&D activities of both countriesspecific on food crops, vegetables, fruits,ornamental, and estate crops which are thefocused commodities of IAARD.

The Indonesian researchers stayed inthe country for a week, visiting primary researchinstitutions in the Philippines to help them gaininformation and familiarize themselves withvarious activities and priority programs ofPhilippine agriculture.

After visiting BAR, the Indonesiandelegation visited the Agricultural TrainingInstitute (ATI) and the Optiserve Technologies,Inc. for a briefing on -Learning. They alsoproceeded to the University of the PhilippinesLos Baños (UPLB), National Institute ofMolecular Biology and Biotechnology(BIOTECH), Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB),Science and Technology Park, Philippine RiceResearch Institute (PhilRice), Sino Center forAgricultural Technology (PhilSCAT), PhilippineCarabao Center (PCC), Bureau of PostharvestResearch and Extension (BPRE), and CentralLuzon State University (CLSU).

The group also visited Mr. Lito M.Arenas' Pangasinan Tropical Fruit Multi-purposeCooperative (PTF-MPC) in Manaoag,Pangasinan; and interviewed successful goatfarmers in Balungao and Sta. Maria, Pangasinanwith the technical support from Dr. JovitaDatuin, manager of the Ilocos IntegratedAgricultural Research Center.

BAR key officials who were presentduring the briefing were BAR Asst. Dir. TeodoroS. Solsoloy, Program Development Division(PDD) Head Carmencita V. Kagaoan, ResearchCoordination Division Head Tito Z. Arevalo,Management Information Systems DivisionHead Marlowe U. Aquino, InternationalRelations Unit (IRU) Head Victoriano B. Guiam,and technical staff members, namely: RudyardR. Roxas of IRU and Rene Cris P. Rivera ofPDD.

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(Rita T. dela Cruz)

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Mr. Yoou Ryong, broadcast journalist at MBC, a Koreanbroadcasting company, and his cameraman visited thePhilippines to conduct a documentary on “Global food crisis in

relation to global warming” for its current affairs program. Ryongdropped by BAR to interview an expert on the biofuels program.

Prof. Rex Demafelis, a technical consultant tapped by BAR onits biofuels program, was chosen by the bureau as subject matter expertfor the interview. Prof. Demafelis is the concurrent convenor of theUniversity of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Alternative Energy RDEand chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering in the College ofEngineering and Agro-industrial Technology (CEAT).

Ryong, who conducted the interview with the assistance ofinterpreter Kate Jong, asked about the current biofuel program of thegovernment, the situation of the industry, potential investors, and thesocial issues linked to the development of biofuels in the Philippines.

BAR's Technology Commercialization Unit (TCU) headAnthony Obligado and his staff were also present to provide policy andtechnical information. (Miko Jazmine J. Mojica)

Korean journalist visits BAR

MBC journalist, Yoou Ryong (left) interviews Prof. RexDemafelis on biofuel program, with him is Kate Jong.

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In this country, we have so much rainthat every year we see flooded citiesand towns featured on TV news

reports. Yet there are times when we turnon our faucet and find out we don't have adrop of water. The Philippine archipelago,made up of 7,107 islands, is located insoutheastern Asia, between the PhilippineSea and the South China Sea, east ofVietnam. It has a population of 91,077,287and an adult literacy rate of 92.6 percent.Only about 85 percent has access to safedrinking water, the remaining 15 percent,which constitutes the 40 percent who areunder the line of poverty, does not.

Admittedly, water is a scarceresource in the tropics. It is a fact that ourcountry, the Philippines, has a clearlydefined rainy or wet season in which thereis much precipitation in the form of rain.Since we do not have an efficient watermanagement system, this rainwater istypically “wasted” by its flowing intounderground sewers (and maybe evenflooding) while during summer there is ashortage of water.

An environment-friendly systemthat would be beneficial in the Philippinesis the rainwater harvesting system. Such asystem has the objective of collecting andstoring rainwater for domestic uses at alater time. This is particularly useful inlowering water bills during times of watershortage. It also lowers the volume ofrainwater that passes through sewagesystems, while also reaping theenvironmental advantages of efficientwater use.

Harvesting water as a conservation techniqueWhen it rains, it pours

Christmas B. de Guzman

Additionally, community-basedrainwater harvesting - the paradigm of the past- has in it as much significance as it everoffered before. Studies revealed that thosewhich had undertaken rainwater harvesting inearlier years had no drinking water problemand even had some water to irrigate theircrops.

The mechanism to harvest rainwateris easy and doable in every independent houseand some high-rise buildings as well. It startswith rainwater being collected from the hardsurface of a flat or slanted roof. The rainwateris, in turn, stored in an underground reservoir.The harvested water can be drawn manuallyor by using an electric pump.

This basically was the ideapresented by Dr. Murli M. Sharma, a scientistfrom the International Crops ResearchInstitute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)based in India, during a seminar series at theBureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on 13June 2008.

BAR Assistant Director Teodoro S.Solsoloy, in his opening speech during theseminar series, said that rainwater harvestinghas been practiced in arid and semi-arid areas,and has provided drinking water, domesticwater, water for livestock, water for smallirrigation and a way to replenish ground waterlevels.

Presently, China and Brazil practicerooftop rainwater harvesting for use for all thepurposes aforementioned. Gansu province inChina and semi-arid northeast Brazil have thelargest ongoing rooftop rainwater harvestingprojects.

Dr. Sharma said, the government'swater supply system in India meets only a

part of the household requirement while theremaining part is addressed by water fromdug wells, bore wells, or purchases fromuncertain sources. The latter poses animportant concern, specifically on the qualityof water and the delivery system.

In the Philippines, a water crisis isalready a reality and a nightmare among 15percent of families that do not have access tosafe drinking water. Twenty-eight percent ofthem also do not have sanitary toilets. As aconsequence, waterborne illness is a majorcause of infections, or worse, prolongeddiseases.

Rainwater management andconservation, Dr. Sharma emphasized, is asolution to unabated population growthcoupled with high demand for dependableand safe water supply. As suggested, everyhousehold needs to become part of therainwater conservation system. Developingreliable sources of water is technicallydifficult, time-consuming, often notenvironmentally sound and may not beefficient. In relation, assistance from thegovernment may have some limitations.

Rainwater harvesting system hasseveral salient features such as: 1) highquality crystal clear water; 2) absence ofchemical treatment; 3) minor maintenance, norunning cost; 4) easy in design andconstruction; and 5) sustainability.

People generally need water foreveryday living – for drinking, cooking,laundrying, bathing, etc. Justifiably, waterquality and water quantity affect our living.Through rainwater harvesting system, watercan be conserved and wisely utilized. Waterindeed is life; rightfully so, no water meansno life on earth.

Dr. Murli M. Sharma, scientist from ICRISAT, lectures onrainwater harvesting during the BAR Seminar Series.

Dr. Sharma’s house featuring the rainwater harvesting systemthat he developed.

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Since the joint establishment of theFruit and Vegetable Seed Center(FVSC) of the Central Luzon State

University (CLSU) and the Nueva Ecijaprovincial local government (LGU) in thelate 1990s, the FVSC has supported andcontinued to provide products andservices to farmers and opportunities toengage in alternative activities.

One of the strongestcontributions of the FVSC is the provisionof quality seeds and planting materials onfruits and vegetables which supports theprograms of the DA's

In line with this, theCLSU-LGU-FVSC continues to addressissues on provincial food security andsustainability, production managementsystems, alternative activities asprocessing of new products out of the rawmaterials which were extracted for seedproduction.

Dr. Nenita dela Cruz, FVSCmanager, said her team decided to comeup with other products aside from qualityseeds because of the issue on food

GinintuangMasaganang Ani.

CLSU teams up with localgovernment for quality seeds

security, especially for LGUs andprograms of elementary and secondaryschools on health and nutrition.

Also, the FVSC team processedproducts derived from the raw materialsprior to seed production. Unless theseare put into good use, they will just bethere as farm waste and made intoorganic fertilizer. Among the cropsprocessed into value-added products arehot chili, squash, and tomatoes.

Through these alternativeproduct processing activities, it is viewedthat the FSVC will not only address therequirements of farmers for quality seedsbut also the women's group andeducational institutions that turn thesecrops into a more nutritious andprofitable alternative livelihood.

CLSU and the Nueva EcijaLGU as the frontrunners of this activitycan now share their experiences to otherorganizations and institutions that arewilling to establish collaborative andcomplementary activities with localpartnership ( ).Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

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Dr. Liza G. Battad of the PhilippineCarabao Center (PCC) was thespeaker at the BAR 8 Seminar

Series with topic on “Village-basedEnterprises Development” held at BARRDMIC Building, Visayas Avenue,Diliman, Quezon City on 13 June 2008.

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch regularly conducts the seminarseries to provide venue for exchange ofinformation and knowledge, trends,challenges, and opportunities in theagriculture and fisheries R&D sector.

According to Dr. Battad, village-based enterprise can be defined as a system,a program, and a developmentalist.

As a system, village-basedenterprise development is intertwined intofour aspects: social, economic, technology,and political. Considered as a program, thisprovides partnership between villagers andthe government within a definite timeframe. “We must implement enterprisedevelopment in a manner that it encouragespartnership between the villagers and thegovernment or implementers,” Dr. Battadsaid.

She explained how the village-based enterprise works for PCC. PCCcreated a National Impact Zone (NIZ), adevelopment model which puts in place allthe necessary elements to establish viablebuffalo-based village dairy enterprises.This piloted dairy buffalo enterpriseoperation is anchored on primarycooperatives.

The established NIZ is aimed atsustaining the diffusion of viable dairybuffalo enterprises which are anchored on adevelopment goal of improving the socialand economic condition of smallhold

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Dr. Nenita dela Cruz, FVSC manager, conductsquality inspection of stringbeans for seedproduction at FVSC, Science City of Muñoz,Nueva Ecija.

After the two major consultativemeetings conducted by theDepartment of Agriculture (DA)

in separate occasions with localgovernment units (LGU) and stateuniversities and colleges (SUC) in May2008, they are now ready to drumbeat allefforts to unify and systematize thecollaborative extension service toaddress the issue of food security andsustainability.

Responding to the rice crisisearly this year, the DA-SUC-LGU viewthat the best way to put an end to the ricecrisis is to work closely and establishstrong partnership at the local,provincial, regional, and national levels.

Given the different DA(GMA)

Banner Programs, this new agriculturaldevelopment strategy will support thedifferent activities vis-à-vis the FIELDS

Ginintuang Masaganang Ani

DA-SUC-LGU to systematize efforts on collaborative extension service

program of the government. —which stands for ertilizer, rrigation,

ducation, Extension and Training, oanor credit, ryers or Postharvest facilities,and eeds— will address food sufficiency,competitiveness, enterprise development,and stable industries.

The DA, through the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), started thegroundwork to send the message of hopeand vision for a progressive agriculturalsector. DA's vision is to make the countryrice-sufficient in 2010 and simultaneouslyworking on export commodities thatsupport different enterprises andindustries.

The work will focus on theprovision of collaborative extensionservice (CES) which will be visualizedand operationalized through a group ofexperts headed by Dr. Emil Q. Javier,president of the National Academy of

FIELDSF I

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Science and Technology (NAST), Drs.Rogelio Cuyno, Santiago Obien, RolandoDy, Manuel Bonifacio, LeonardoGonzales, Luis Rey Velasco, LeocadioSebastian, Fernardo Bernardo, and SergioFrancisco.

The expert's group activitiesinclude regional consultation-meetingsand briefings to SUCs with strongextension service experiences and LGUpartnerships highlighting rice productionmanagement system and regional prioritycommodities. With this in hand, the DA-SUC-LGU collaborative extension effortshould now incorporate the results ofresearch by looking at the changeshappening to the end-users of technologyand their communities, modalities ofinformation sharing and exchange tobring about change through the propermanagement of resources (

).Marlowe U.

Aquino, PhD

One of the strongest contributions of the FVSC isthe provision of quality seeds and planting materialson fruits and vegetables which supports the programsof the DA's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani.

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Battad lectures on village-based enterprises development

farming families through carabao-basedenterprises.

Attending the seminar were PCC,Bureau of Plant Industry representativesfrom the DA Family, which included theBureau of Postharvarvest Research andExtension, Bureau of Agriculture andFisheries Product Standards, Bureau ofSoils and Water Management, National

Agriculture and Fisheries Council, NationalAnti-Poverty Commission, National TobaccoAdministration, Philippine Rice ResearchInstitute, and National Dairy Authority.

Also, represented were partners fromthe State Universities and Colleges such as theIsabela State University, Tarlac College ofAgriculture, and Cavite State University. (Ma.Eloisa E. Hernandez)

We must implemententerprise developmentin a manner that itencourages partnershipbetween the villagersand the governmentor implementers.

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”~ Dr. Battad ~

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Audience duringthe 8th BARSeminar Series.

Inquiries from the audience duringthe open forum session.

photos by MEHERNANDEZ

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DA eyes...from page 1

The Philippine Council forAgriculture, Forestry and NaturalResources Research and

Development (PCARRD), incollaboration with the BioversityInternational and the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), organizedand hosted the “Banana R&D AnnualReview and Planning Meeting” on 26June 2008 in Los Baños, Laguna.

The review and planningmeeting is a regular activity conducted toreview and evaluate the accomplishmentsand plans of banana R&D projectsfunded by Bioversity International,DOST-PCARRD, and DA-BAR. The

Collaborative RDE projects on banana reviewed

activity serves as avenue to updateresearchers andextension workers onthe current bananaR&D trends andactivities and tofacilitate a network ofexperts on bananaR&D.

Attending forBAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazarwas Mr. Victoriano B.Guiam, head of theInternational

Relations Unit (IRU), who also delivered amessage during the meeting.

In the message read by Mr.Guiam, Director Eleazar noted thesignificance of the banana R&D reviewand planning activity. It corresponds to theDepartment of Agriculture's (DA) efforts,particularly in the “acquisition,development and promotion of mature andappropriate technologies, from pre-production to production and topostharvest technologies, including theresults of research into banana processingand marketing, for our bananasmallholders.” He affirmed DA's supportin terms of technology demonstrations of

banana R&D projects, particularly those thatare supported by BAR.

As a future direction for the bananaindustry, BAR is looking at the expansion ofthe banana hectarage, particularly with thegrowing demand for table and processedbananas contributing to the livelihood ofsmallholder banana farmers, Eleazar alsoreported.

Although the future of the bananaindustry is promising, Eleazar noted thatthere are problems that needed to beresolved.

From the papers presented duringthe review, banana R&D is now addressingthe following issues: 1) lack of appropriateand quality planting/genetic materials; 2)high postharvest losses owing to incorrectpostharvest handling practices and facilities;3) need to address old and emerging bananadiseases, including the fusarium wilt – Race;and 4) availability of appropriate technologyfor smallholder farmers.

Other attendees in the bananareview were Bioversity InternationalRegional Coordinator for Asia and thePacific Dr. Agustin B. Molina Jr. andPCARRD Executive Director Patricio S.Faylon, who each gave their messagesduring the opening ceremony of the activity.(Rita T. dela Cruz with reports from Mr.Victoriano B. Guiam)

RDELACRUZ

must overcome in order to sustain its profit.Some of the most pressing challengesidentified by DA are the issues on thenearing maximum productive years ofexisting rubber trees, high production costbecause of rising prices of farm inputs, anddifficulty for rubber farmers to accesssustainable credits because of the longgestation period of rubber trees.

Moreover, the DA identified theneed to strengthen the national research,development, and extension system tofurther develop the industry. The Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), which isspecifically tasked with leading the researchand development component of NRDP andgiving support to its extension activities, iscurrently supporting the technologycommercialization of 10 recommendedrubber clones in the country throughtechnology promotion and demonstration insuitable rubber areas nationwide.

Given the lucrative market offeredby the global rubber industry (unprocessedand processed), DA asserts that the localrubber industry must overcome thechallenges to sustain its profitability.

DA Undersecretary JesusEmmanuel M. Paras enumerated some ofthese. He pointed out that most of theexisting trees in the country are now eithersenile or nearing their maximum productiveyears; most rubber plantations are inMindanao, which are burdened with securityand peace and order issues; growers are

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e-Pinoy FARMS Scoping Session andHands-on Training for Luzon Cluster held

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Members of the Luzon ZonalResearch Center forAgriculture (ZRCA) gathered

on 11 June 2008 at the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) forFarm Resource Management System (

FARMS ) Scoping Session andHands-on Training.

This is to arrive at consensus onthe details of utilization and application

of the FARMS for Community-based Participatory Action Research(CPAR) and to make easy the subsequenthands-on training for data encoders andprocess documenters representing theregions (Luzon Cluster).

FARMS is a unifieddatabase program designed to supportand improve the decision-making processof specific community-based activities. Italso intends to enable farmers'organization, cooperatives, andagribusiness enterprises to record theirtransactions and operations.

Data that will be infused withinthe database program of the

FARMS are activities documented fromthe CPAR program of BAR.

Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, headof the Management Information SystemsDivision (MISD) discussed makingagriculture business during the scoping

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session. He emphasized the development andadvantages of CPAR and NTCP as bannerprograms of BAR.

Dr. Aquino’s presentation wasfollowed by

Cheryl Marie Natividad who explainedthe operating framework for CPARMonitoring and Evaluation (M&E) andperformance indicators.

Meanwhile, Research Coordinator

Optiserve Technologies, Inc.CEO

Rolando V. Labios shared his experienceswith CPAR and his insights in integrating

FARMS with CPAR implementation.

The FARMS waslaunched operationally and introduced to theassigned encoders and process documentersin each region. Participants in the hands-ontraining were assisted by regionalcoordinators from RCD.

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BAR to conduct agri and fisheries

forum and exhibit at SM Megamall

About 70 exhibitors from regions allover the Philippines will featureloads of exotic and exciting

product lines derived from the bounty ofthe islands' natural assets at the Agricultureand Fisheries (A&F) TechnologyCommercialization Forum and ProductExhibit 2008 at the SM Megatrade Hall,SM Megamall on 21-24 August 2008.

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) is spearheading the eventcoinciding its 21 Anniversary celebration.BAR has been promoting thecommercialization of emerging andappropriate technologies related toagriculture and fisheries to boost thegrowth of this sector. The technologies andproducts made out of them are results ofresearch and development efforts of theDA's attached offices, state colleges and

st

universities, local government units, non-government organization, and the private sectorwhich collaborate with the bureau.

The agriculture and fisheries sector,which remains as the major driving forcetowards improving the economy, is positioningitself as a market-driven and profitable venturethat can compete in terms of quality andaccessibility in the global market. Through theNational Technology CommercializationProgram (NTCP) initiated by BAR, farmers andfisherfolk are empowered to sustain qualityproduction, processing, and marketing of high-value and indigenous commodities which isattractive to today's discriminating and health-conscious market.

The event will highlight the sale andexhibit of a variety of fresh, processed, andmanufactured goods from fruits and vegetablesto meat, poultry, and seafood, to organic

products and striking handicrafts made ofhigh-grade indigenous fibers sourced from thedifferent regions nationwide. Anotherhighlight is the conduct of informative andpractical seminar-workshops and forum opento all for free that will focus on agribusiness,organic agriculture, and health and wellness.

Since 2005, the DA-BAR has beenregularly conducting technologycommercialization exhibits and forums at thenational and regional levels with a limitedaudience. This year, the bureau is showcasingthe bright prospect of the agriculture andfisheries sector to reach a much biggeraudience from all walks of life.---------For interested exhibitors and sponsors, pleasecontact the Technology Commercialization Unit at(02) 928-8505 locals 2626, 2627, 2621; email

. You may also visitfor more information about the bureau.tcu@bar.gov.ph www.bar.gov.ph

burdened by high production expendituresowing to rising costs of labor and other inputs;sustainable credit and loans are difficult toaccess and; there is a need to strengthen thenational research, development, and extensionsystem from which future advances anddevelopment must be anchored. (MikoJazmine M. Mojica)

BAR Dir. Nicomedes P. Eleazar (3rd from right) poses with BARstaff during the 2008 ASEAN Rubber Conference 2008. At theback is BAR’s booth featuring the R&D component of NRDP.

Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino discusses the objectives of the e-Pinoy FARMS scoping session.®

BAR hronicleC6 BAR hronicleC 11

NEWS NEWS

We need to continue the fundingof basic research, particularly ontraditional and modern

biotechnology,” said AR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar at the recentlyconcluded “BAR Midyear Review andPlanning Workshop” held in Lucban,Quezon.

Inasmuch as BAR recognizes theimportance of applied researches given itsdirect impact on the lives of the farmersand fisherfolk, the bureau is notoverlooking the importance of basic orupstream research in contributing newknowledge that may lead to breakthroughsand generate new technologies.

B

Basic researches are anyexperimental or theoretical work

undertaken primarily to acquire new insightson the underlying foundations of physicaland biological phenomena and observableevents, without any predeterminedapplication or use in view.

Although basic research resultsmay not immediately find their way toadoption and utilization, Eleazar stressedthat “conducting basic and strategic research

With the new direction andpriorities set by the Department ofAgriculture, the bureau has strengthened itssupport in the conduct of basic researchaimed at addressing the emerging issues andconcerns that beset the agriculture andfishery R&D. In particular, researches onagricultural biotechnology covering bothmodern and traditional biotech.

is an investment for the future.” Theunderlying principles will later servefundamental uses to research applicationsthat are vital to technology generation.

Eleazar encouraged stateuniversities and colleges (SUCs), throughthe bureau's regional coordinators, to submitquality proposals on basic research forfunding support.

In 2007, BAR funded the conductof five basic researches, most of themimplemented by SUCs, namely: Universityof the Philippines Los Baños, UP Mindanao,and UP Visayas. The other two wereimplemented by a DA staff bureau (Bureauof Postharvest Research and Extension) anda non-government office (STRIVE/SIKAPFoundation). (Rita T. dela Cruz)

Dr. Fortunato A. Battad, president emeritus, Central Luzon State University(CLSU), and chairman, Board of Agriculture, Professional RegulationCommission, launched his new book, “My Passion for Trees” on 11 June

2008 at the RET Amphitheater, CLSU, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.“This book is a documentation of my advocacy for tree planting. In this

book, our collaboration with educational institutions, national government, localgovernment units, and non-government organizations are highlighted,” said Battad,who wrote the book with his wife, Dr. Teodora Battad.

Besides CLSU, Dr. Fortunato Battad was president of numerous agriculturalcolleges and universities in the Philippines, namely: Benguet State University, NuevaVizcaya State University (formerly Nueva Vizcaya State Institute of Technology),Pampanga Agricultural College, and West Visayas State University.

To write the book, Dr. Battad and his wife revisited and explored severalagricultural colleges and universities in the country in which he, in one way oranother, had influenced to develop an affinity towards planting trees. To emphasizehis noble advocacy, he has phrased and practiced the adage, “Even if I die tomorrow, Iwill still plant trees today.”

Dr. Battad's book-writing project was supported by the Bureau ofAgricultural Research, PhilRice, and CLSU Foundation, Inc. (Miko Jazmine J.Mojica)

Book on tree planting launched

BAR to continue supporting basic research;traditional and modern biotech prioritized

With the new direction and priorities

set by the Department of Agriculture,

the bureau has strengthened its support

in the conduct of basic research aimed

at addressing the emerging issues and

concerns that beset the agriculture and

fishery R&D. In particular, researches

on agricultural biotechnology covering

both modern and traditional biotech.

“

The Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) will launch five books and afishery publication in format

funded under the Special Publication Grant(SPG) during its 21 Anniversarycelebration on 21-22 August 2008 at theSM Megamall.

The six books include a reviewpublication, two technical books, aproduction manual, and a recipe book.These are: 1) An External Review ofPhilRice Impact by Tess V. Rola (ed.); 2)Philippine Rats: Ecology and Managementby Grant R. Singleton, Ravindra C. Joshi,and Leocadio S. Sebastian (eds.); 3) RiceBlack Bugs: Taxonomy, Ecology, andManagement of Invasive Species byRavindra C. Joshi, Alberto T. Barrion, andLeocadio S. Sebastian (eds.); 4)

by Avelita M.Rosales, Virgilia D. Arellano, Elizabeth R.Gregorio, and Thelma M. Lambio(authors); and 5) O! May Gulay RecipeBook by DA-BAR.

is a review publication thatdiscusses the impact of the Philippine RiceResearch Institute from 1997 to 2007 in thescientific and development work. It servesas a reference materials for the PhilRiceBoard of Trustees and its clientele. Theexternal review was commissioned byBAR while the publication was prepared inpartnership with the Conservation andDevelopment Specialists Foundation, Inc.(CDSFI).

features current knowledgeon the Philippine rodents, their ecology,systematics, diseases, and management.The book covers a wide array of topicsfrom the historical perspective of thedevelopment of rodent pest managementfrom 1968 to 1988, to biology andmanagement in complex agroecosystems,to ecology of pest and native rodentspecies, and to their impact on farmingcommunities.

e-book

Pagpapaunlad ng Industriya ng Lanzonessa Timog Katagalugan

st

An External Review of PhilRiceImpact

Philippine Rats: Ecology andManagement

Rice Black Bugs: Taxonomy,Ecology, and Management of InvasiveSpecies

Pagpapaunlad ng Industriya ngLanzones sa Timog Katagalugan

O! May Gulay Recipe Book

Research Output ofthe Fisheries Sector Program

is a book comprising of anextensive literature on the taxonomy,ecology, and sustainable management ofrice black bug (RBB). The 800-page bookprovides a lengthy discussion on some ofthe old problems and introduces newecological techniques for the managementRBB. It consists of four sections coveringclarifications on the confusing taxonomyusing traditional and modern taxonomictools, country reports of RBB experiencesof other rice-growing countries, asidefrom approaches to management of RBBpest species.

is auser's manual on lanzones (

Correa) production. Themanual specifically discusses topics on therehabilitation of lanzones, plantingdifferent varieties, production of qualityplanting materials, harvesting, andmarketing.

features the winning recipes from studentsof public high school in the NationalCapital Region (NCR) who joined the O!May Gulay Cooking Contest held andexhibited during the 2007Agrilink/Aqualink/Foodlink on 4-6October 2007 at the World TradeCenter, Pasay City. The activitywas designed to develop vegetablerecipes that are easy to prepare,affordable, and delicious in supportof DA's efforts in promoting localagriculture products.

BAR will also launch twovolumes of the

(FSP) in e-book format for easyaccess and dissemination to thefisheries R&D sector and otherconcerned institutions. The twovolumes of FSP books waspackaged into a user-friendly CDbooklet by the Aquaculture

Lansiumdomesticum

Department of the Southeast Asian FisheriesDevelopment Center (SEAFDEC/AQD).FSP Volume 1 contains 34 research paperspublished in scientific journals and otherpublications and has a printed versionreleased in November 2002 while Volume 2consists of 32 BAR-funded researches onfisheries R&D reflecting the Department ofAgriculture's (DA) directions and priorityprograms on fisheries.

SPG is one of the services given byBAR to support the government initiatives inmodernizing the agriculture and fisheriessectors of the country. SPG is awarded to anorganization/institution or scientific/professional societies to cover the cost ofpublications of scientificproceedings/symposia, refereed scientificjournals, manuals on researchmethodologies, and books that can be availedof by members of the National Research andDevelopment System of Agriculture andFisheries (NaRDSAF).

Managed by BAR's ManagementInformation Systems Division (MISD),requests for publication grants are reviewedby the SPG Committee to ensure thatpolicies are being observed and torecommend appropriate action to the bureaudirector. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

BAR to launch 5 books and an under SPGe-book

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NEWS NEWS

With the theme,

theOrmoc City Federation of VegetableProducers, through President Edgardo C.Codilla hosted the 6 National VegetableCongress on 24-26 June 2008 at the SabinResort Hotel in Ormoc City.

The congress strategically aimed toinform stakeholders on the currentdevelopments on the vegetable industry;revisit experiences particularly on modernproduction and postharvest technologies;strengthen the linkages among vegetablestakeholders and attract investors; andaddress issues on food security.

Welcoming the participants wasOrmoc Mayor Eric C. Codilla. In hisremarks, he cited the implementation ofvegetable production program in the city as asupplement to the rice program under the

CommercializingSmall hold Vegetable Productionfor Global Competitiveness,

th

Ormoc holds 6 National Vegetable Congressth

GMA-Rice Program.Giving the overview of the event

was President Edgardo Codilla. He said,“Vegetable industry in the Philippines ischaracterized by a mixture of small,medium, and large farms. With this kind ofstructure, there is a need for our vegetablegrowers to unite their efforts in order tocreate an impact on food security andpoverty alleviation.”

In behalf of Agriculture SecretaryArthur C. Yap, Assistant Secretary SalvadorS. Salacup attended the event. In his speech,he cited various government interventions toincrease production and consumption.

“We at the DA, through the GMA-High Value Commercial Crop (HVCC)Program, are addressing major concernsthroughout the entire vegetable chain supplyfrom production, postharvest, processing,transport and marketing,” ASec Salacup said.

These include distribution ofsubsidized seeds and planting materials,provision of farming equipment, andconstruction of needed facilities forproduction and postharvest. In addition, heenumerated DA's initiatives in encouragingvegetable consumption: 1) increase off-season production; 2) conduct training andtechnology demonstration on vegetableproduction, and organic farming; 3) organizeproduction clusters; 4) establish barangayfood terminals; and 5) establish cold chainfacilities.

A total of 418 participants fromnational government agencies, provincialand municipal local government units, stateuniversities and colleges (SUCs),farmers/farmers associations, RegionalAgricultural and Fishery Council (RAFC),Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council(PAFC), input suppliers, and productexhibitors attended the congress. The topicsincluded the following: 1) Philippinevegetable industry situationer; 2) vegetable

research and development; 3); 4) organic agriculture;

5) Israel modern vegetable farming; 6) GoodAgricultural Practices; 7) PostharvestTechnologies; 8) marketing strategies; 9)Updates on ACEF and project preparation; and10) lending programs.

For the Vegetable R&D, Bureau ofAgricultural Research Assistant DirectorTeodoro S. Solsoloy presented the Research,Development and Extension Program onVegetables 2006-2010.

Dr. Solsoloy discussed five issues withcorresponding recommendations anchored onincreasing production through adoption oflocation-specific technologies and reduction ofcosts of wage goods.

The common activities and projects tobe integrated as programs include analysis of theefficiency of production of selected wage cropssuch as . Also, cost-reductiontechnologies on priority wage goods such as

and salad that can be achieved bysubstitution (use of cheaper inputs) or moreefficient use of inputs (like fertilizer andpesticide use).

Some of BAR-funded projects onorganic agriculture are: 1) commercialization oforganically-grown vegetables in Region III; 2)LaTOP (high-quality, organically-grown culinaryherbs produced by a cooperative in La Trinidad,Benguet); 3) protective structures for organichigh value vegetables production as an approachto urban agriculture (UPLB) and; 4) CPARorganic vegetable farming (banana + coffeeintegration, integration of vegetables in rice-based farming system, etc.).

On indigenous vegetables, BARsupported the indigenous plants for health andwellness (SPA Association of the Philippines)and the promotion of indigenous vegetables forpoverty alleviation and nutrition improvement ofrural households in the Philippines (AVRDC/World Vegetable Center).

ProgramangGulayan para sa Masa

pinakbet

pinakbet

(Ma. Eloisa E.Hernandez)

Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy presents theResearch, Development and ExtensionProgram on Vegetables 2006-2010.

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Our motivation to utilize theCommunity-based ParticipatoryAction Research (CPAR) is to have

greater participation, enhance people'sempowerment, and maintain sustainabilityin the different programs of the university,”said Dr. Julieta Roa, director of thePhilippine Rootcrops Research and TrainingCenter (PRCRTC) of the Visayas StateUniversity (VSU) in Baybay, Leyte.

Through the university-led CPARproject on Gabi Chips Processing in Liloan,Southern Leyte, several local, regional, andnational government organizations and non-government organizations helped in itssuccessful implementation throughinteractive, dynamic, and strong partnershipof the stakeholders.

Farmers of Barangay Liloan havebeen producing quality and sustainable gabi

VSU supports CPAR intensification drive

chips because of the processing technologyof PRCRTC, not to mention the continuousproduction of raw materials by the farmers.

The project is jointly implementedby BAR through the DA-Regional FieldUnit VIII – Eastern Visayas IntegratedAgricultural Research Center, Techno-Gabay of the Visayas Consortium forAgricultural Research Program, Departmentof Trade and Industry and Department ofScience and Technology of Southern Leyte,and the local government of Liloan, farmers'groups of Liloan.

All involved actors providetechnical, financial, and political leadershipto the overall success of the project. Thiscould be attributed to the added innovativeprocess in the holistic developmentalmodality of CPAR.

Accordingly, VSU-PRCRTC

introduced the continuing improvementand innovation process (CIIP) in theCPAR methodology as they encouragedcommunity participation in the differentactivities.

The CIIP focused on siximportant strategies, namely: communityanalysis, understanding desired impactsand outcomes, systematic actiondesigning, participatory implementation,community performance assessmentincluding technology utilization andapplication, and creation of innovativeenterprises and synthesis of relevantinformation. These strategies contributedin the attainment of the project'sobjectives on community's capacity,improved profitability through improvedproduct quality, presentation andestablishment of a facility for skillsdevelopment, and improved the enterprisemonitoring using participatoryapproaches.

The CPAR project was directedon a vision of productive and sustainableenterprise development because of thestrict adherence to the concept of CPARand CIIP, utilization of the introducedtechnology for development, partnershipsof different key actors and stakeholdersand requirements of the different marketsusing standard protocol of processing andmanufacturing procedures. Incidentally,the project standardized processingprocedures and established theCommunity's Good ManufacturingPractice Facility which will house thetraining center and processing activities ofthe community.

With the end view of utilizingthe CPAR modality and innovativeprocess approach, the efforts of BAR andits partners will not only be in paper butalso in action as reality unfolds in makingagriculture business one step at a timetowards enterprise development (

)Marlowe

U. Aquino, PhD

photos courtesy of VSU

Locally packaged chipsgabi

Farmer consultation-briefings with VSU staff members prior to CPAR project implementation.

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Carrying this year's theme,

, the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) participated in the

showcased in its booth someof the regions' commercialized productsfunded under the National TechnologyCommercialization Program (NTCP).

Now on its seventh year, thetrade fair is an annual activity of theDepartment of Agrarian Reform (DAR)in celebration of the ComprehensiveAgrarian Reform Program's (CARP)20th Anniversary.

Welcoming the participants was

Celebrating Agrarian ReformBeneficiaries' (ARBs) Growth

and Success

Agraryo Trade Fair held on 4-8 June2008 at the SM Megamall MegatradeHall. BAR

BAR participates in 7thshowcases commercialized products from NTCP

Agraryo Trade Fair;

.

S

Special products lines from Oregano

Mango drying facilities.

Queen pineapple production

alted duck eggs projects

Carabao's milk

Garlic technology commercialization

Indian and Piko mango products

.

.

.

The Department of AgricultureRegional Field Unit IV-A - Southern Tagalog Integrated Agricultural ResearchCenter-Quezon Agricultural Experiment Station developed different product linesfrom the Philippine which include oregano wine, oregano tea, oreganovinegar, oregano juice, and oregano juice for poultry.

The cabinet drying facilities is now beingutilized by the Pangasinan Tropical Fruits Multi-Purpose Cooperative (PTFMPC)in Brgy. Matulong, Manaoag, Pangasinan. The facilities are developed for theimprovement and enhancement of the country's fresh mango export to China andEurope.

The Labo Progressive Multi-PurposeCooperative (LPMCP) is among the institutions in Labo, Camarines Norte, thatpromotes livelihood projects on pineapple production and integrated leavesprocessing.

The Community-based Participatory ActionResearch (CPAR) program of BAR is in response to the twin goals of theDepartment that gives priority to the agribusiness development of communities.Brgy. Hibago, Ocampo, Camarines Sur established a micro-enterprise on duckegg production and salted egg processing.

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) developed theNational Impact Zone (NIZ) model for the improvement of the socio-economicsituation of carabao farmers involved in dairy production from production,processing, and marketing activities supported by technical and financial services.The Nueva Ecija Federation of Carabao Cooperative (NEFEDCCO) nowproduces milk, carabao mozzarella, , and others.

To sustain the role of Region Ias the major supplier of garlic in the country, DA-Research Outreach Station II inBatac, Ilocos Norte, developed the garlic technology commercialization in RegionI. The project purposely conducted to increase production and post-productiontechnologies and address efficient marketing to attain food security.

DA-Regional Field Unit IV-QuezonAgricultural Experiment Station developed special product line from Indianmango, now being commercialized into mango-based tart. This will address theproblems of oversupply of these mango varieties during peak season and assessthe potential of utilizing and varieties as an added ingredient for tart.

The trade fair was organized by DAR, Bureau of Agrarian ReformBeneficiaries Development (BARBD), and ARB Agribusiness EntrepreneurshipDevelopment (AREDP), in partnership with the Philippine Fruits and VegetableIndustries, Inc. (PhilFruits).

Receiving the for being this year's sponsors were BAR,

Oregano

kesong puti, pastillas de leche

.

Indian Piko

Gawad Agraryo

.

DA, Department of Tourism (DoT), Land Bank of the Philippines (LDP), SanMiguel Corporation (SMC), First Asia Realty Development Corporation, Officeof the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the National HistoricalInstitute (NHI).

In behalf of Dir. Eleazar, Assistant Director Teodoro S. Solsoloyreceived the plaque. Meanwhile, Information Systems Division Assistant HeadJulia A. Lapitan served as overall coordinator and facilitator for the BAR’sexhibits. (Ma. Eloisa E. Hernandez)

DAR Secretary Nasser C. Pangandaman.In his speech he stressed that c

The five-day trade fair showcased

elebratingARBs' growth and success is a fittingdescription of DAR's intent to drumbeat thevictories and advances in terms of ARBproduct promotion in the mainstreammarket while taking on the challenge tomeet food security goals.

In the same manner, HonorableSpeaker of the House Prospero C. Nograleswho was the affairs's guest speaker said that“The theme amply describes the upliftmentof the lives of the beneficiaries of CARP”.He committed to do whatever he can topass the extension of the CARP for the nextfive years before the Congress adjourns on13 June 2008.

an

NTCP is one of BAR's flagshipprograms under the leadership of DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar. The NTCP envisionsto strategically place technologies wherethey are needed while transforming theagriculture and fisheries landscape-basedsectors through a market-driven approach.

array of products from fresh andprocessed products, processed poultry andmeat products, food ingredients andadditives to packaging materials, furnitureand handicrafts, natural and organicproducts, and agrarian reform and ruraldevelopment programs/projects.

To spice up the event, 10 selectedlectures/seminars on product development,market trends, and product demonstrationswere presented.

BAR Assistant Director Teodoro S. Solsoloy (right) receives theGawad Agraryo plaque on behalf of BAR, being one of thisyear’s sponsors. Giving the awards are DAR Secretary NasserC. Pangandaman (center) and Philippine Fruits and VegetableIndustries, Inc. President Solomon D. Badoy (left).

MISD Assistant Head Julia A Lapitan (right) shows to DirectorEleazar the BAR’s exhibits during the Agraryo Trade Fairfeaturing products and technologies funded under the NationalTechnology Commercialization Program (NTCP) and theCommunity-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR).

Seven products and technologies were showcased at the BAR's booth.These were:

7th Agraryo Trade Fair“Celebrating ARBs' Growth and Success”

photos by NDELROSARIO and MEHERNANDEZ