Volume 9 Issue No. 12 A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BARCVisit 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

BAR ALBUM

CAPSA-BAR workshop highlights adding valueto agricultural products through certification

RD

ELA

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hronicle

Perceived as a key to empower farmersin improving quality of their produce,resulting in a fair share of benefits

from the supply chain, product certificationis gaining attention given its competitiveedge in the world market. Sad to say though,in Third World countries such as Indonesiaand the Philippines, product certificationrequires more than they could afford.

To identify market edge and addedvalue to certified products, the United

DECEMBER 2008

(L-R, first row) Dr. Marlowe Aquino of BAR, Dr. Togar Napitupulu of CAPSA, Ms. Josefina Lantican of BAR, and Dr. Ronnie Natawidjaja of PadjadjaranUniversity in Indonesia pose with the participants of the workshop on “Adding Value to Fresh and Processed Produce through Product Certification”.

NDELROSARIO III

Nations-Centre for Alleviation of Povertythrough Secondary Crops Developmentfor Asia and The Pacific (UN-CAPSA)and the Department of Agriculture-Bureauof Agricultural Research (DA-BAR)conducted a workshop, “Adding Value toFresh and Processed Produce throughProduct Certification,” on 17-18December 2008 at the EDSA Shangri-LaManila Hotel.

One of the highlights of theactivity is the presentation of the results ofthe studies earlier conducted in thePhilippines and Indonesia givingparticipants a perception of the presentscenario of the agricultural productssupply chain and how productcertification is being practiced in thesetwo countries.

Ms. Josefina M. Lantican,economist and technical adviser of BAR,

. Dr.

Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, head ofthe Applied Communication Division ofBAR, delivered the opening message inbehalf of Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar.He also served as the master of ceremonyfor the two-day activity.

On behalf of their delegation, Dr.Togar Napitupulu, senior economist ofUN-CAPSA, welcomed the participants.He expressed his enthusiasm and supportfor the objective of the activity puttinggreat emphasis on the important role ofproduct certification in the global trade.

presented the Philippine case ofagricultural product certification

IN THIS ISSUE

CAPSA-BAR workshop highlights adding value........

Spice plant extract shows promise against................

IP specialist from CGIAR visits BAR...........................

BAR, PCARRD partner for IP awareness...................

Solsoloy attends CGIAR, GFAR, CABI......................

WorldFish, BAR meet to address issues..................

Story telling sessions on rice, environment.............

Salt fertilization controls disease.................

FEATURE: Of milestones and profitability................

FEATURE: Exploring the beneficial uses.................

Luzon group trains to enhance rubber bud..............

Bugtok

GAP for corn launched...............................................

Rice composites (rice+corn) as enriched.................

CBWM stakeholders speak up for ............................

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Luzon group trains to enhancerubber bud-grafting skills

After finding that rubber trees couldalso thrive in parts of Luzon, theBureau of Agricultural Research

(BAR) has since funded various R&Dprojects and activities to support thedevelopment and commercialization ofnatural rubber in areas other thanMindanao. One particular activitysponsored by BAR in this regard was theconduct of the hands-on training on bud-grafting of rubber seedlings for Luzonplant propagators at the Central LuzonIntegrated Agricultural Center (CLIARC)in Magalang, Pampanga.

The training was conducted withan end goal of addressing one of the mostpressing problems in natural rubberpropagation, which is the lack of qualitybudded rubber seedlings ready for planting.Thirty participants from the Luzon clusterbenefited from the training, which wasdesigned to enhance bud-grafting skills ofrubber plant propagators.

Two professors from theUniversity of Southern Mindanao (USM),Dr. Romulo Cena and Prof. RogelioTestado, served as resource persons in thetraining. Before the participants engaged inpractical exercises, Dr. Cena gave a lecture

on the Physiology, Seedling Propagation,and Budding while Dr. Testado gave alecture on Nursery Establishment andManagement.

The participants consisted ofproject implementers and plantpropagators from the Bureau of PlantIndustry (BPI, Quezon City), DonMariano Marcos Memorial StateUniversity (DMMMSU, La Union),Southern Luzon State University (SLSU,Quezon), DA-CLIARC, DA-CagayanValley Integrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (DA-CVIARC), representativesfrom DA-Regional Field Unit IVb(MIMAROPA), University of RizalSystem (URS, Rizal), and LGU KalingaProvince.

At the end of the training, theparticipants formed the Luzon-wideRubber Propagators Association andelected a set of officers. The primaryobjective of the new association is topromote the continuous exchange ofinformation among members and berepresented in the different programs andactivities of other agencies andinstitutions concerned with rubber R&D,extension, and education.

Mr. Rodolfo Galang, BARcoordinator for rubber programs andactivities, said that it is currentlysupporting several RDE and technologycommercialization projects on promotingthe cultivation, production, and processingof rubber. These BAR-funded projects areimplemented by DA-CLIARC, DA-MIMAROPA, DMMMSU, SLSU, andBPI.

“The project proponents haveproduced an ample number of rubberseedlings that are now ready for budding.What we want is to increase productionand enhance their skills in bud-grafting toensure the production of quality plantingmaterials,” Galang said. He added that thepresence of a thriving budwood garden inDA-CLIARC in Pampanga makes it themost suitable venue for the training.

However, besides the lack ofquality budded rubber seedlings, Mr.Galang said that other problems thatimpede the growth of the natural rubberindustry in the country need to beaddressed. These are low productivity ofexisting old rubber trees, high productioncost because of rising prices of farminputs, development and transfer ofproduction and postharvest technologies,and the difficulty for rubber farmers toaccess sustainable credits because of thelong gestation period of rubber trees.(Miko Jazmine J. Mojica with reportsfrom Rudy L. Galang)

RBERNARDO

RGALANG

Ronnie S. Natawidjaja Ir., director of theCenter for Agricultural Policy andAgribusiness Study, PadjadjaranUniversity, presented the Indonesian case.

Participants were provided withthe product standards formulation andprocess certification of various existingcertifying bodies in the Philippines.Director Gilberto F. Layese of the Bureauof Agriculture and Fisheries ProductStandards (BAFPS) lectured on GoodAgricultural Practices (GAP) Program ofDA, including its costs and benefits andfuture directions. For Organic AgricultureNDELROSARIO III

Dr. Togar Napitupulu, senior economist ofUN-CAPSA, welcomes the participants ofthe workshop on behalf of their delegation.

turn to page 2

�

FEATURE

RITA T. DELA CRUZmanaging editor/layout

MANUEL F. BONIFACIO, PhD

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhDVICTORIANO B. GUIAM

RITA T. DELA CRUZCHRISTMAS B. DE GUZMANMA. ELOISA E. HERNANDEZMIKO JAZMINE J. MOJICA

consulting editor

writers

BAR Chronicle is the official monthly publication of the Department of Agriculture-, mandated to ensure that agricultural researches are coordinated

and undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture. This publication provides regular updates onDA-BAR’s activities as the country’s national coordinator for agriculture and fisheries R&D. It alsohighlights features and news articles concerning NaRDSAF-member institutions.

Bureau ofAgricultural Research (DA-BAR)

RICARDO G. BERNARDOANTHONY A. CONSTANTINO

JULIA A. LAPITANVICTORIA G. RAMOS

reproduction/printing

circulation

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhD

NICOMEDES P. ELEAZAR, CESO IV

head, ACD

adviser

For subscription and inquiries please contact:Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture

3/F RDMIC 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 Division

acd@bar.gov.phhttp://www.bar.gov.ph

2 BAR hronicleC December 2008 Issue BAR hronicleC 15

BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The official monthly publication of DA-BAR

NEWS

4. Place a vessel to collect the vinegardrops from the bamboo pipe.

5. If wood is burned for 12-15 hours in a200-liter oil drum kiln, it shouldproduce 2-7 liters of wood vinegar. Atthis stage, it is called raw wood vinegar.

6. Leave the raw wood vinegar for threemonths to become silted. The vinegarwill turn yellow like vegetable oil, afterwhich it will turn light brown and thetar will become silted. The top contentwill be light, clear oil. Remove the tarand light oil, as well as the dark browntranslucent oil and the remainder willbe sour vinegar.

The wood vinegar must be blendedwith water in a ratio of 1:50 (1 liter woodvinegar and 50 liters water), or up to a ratioof 1:800 (1 liter wood vinegar and 800 literswater).

For plant production specifically,spray the solution over plant shoots. Woodvinegar, like hormones, will be absorbedinto twigs, trunks, or leaves. Plants will bestronger, and leaves will be greener andresistant to pests and diseases.

How to use

Alternative technology

The technology offers an alternativeagricultural product that is environmentallysafe, locally available, and seemingly easy tofollow technology. This addresses the presentand emerging problems that are affecting thefarming industry. Foremost of which are thesteadily increasing prices of farm inputs like

CDEGUZMAN

fertilizers, feeds, pesticides, andantibiotics.

These are compounded byissues related to the production of safeand cheap food, and environmentalpollution from the use of chemicals, andfrom decomposing animal and farmwaste. The mitigation of these concernsmust be facilitated by the use of woodvinegar thus, a closer look at thistechnology is recommended.

-----For more information on this technology, pleasecontact OIC Joselito Noceda of DA-RFU IVATechnology Generation (TechGen) at telephonenumbers (046) 4121461, (046) 4121463 or email at:da_techgen@yahoo.com

Source:Food & Fertilizer Technology Center for the Asianand Pacific Region (2008). Wood Vinegar.Information retrieved on 23 December 2008, from:http://www.agnet.org/library/pt/2005025/

CAPSA-BAR...from page 1

DA-Technology Generation (DA-TechGen) of Region IVA installed its wood vinegar technologychamber at one of their technology demonstration farms. BAR Region IVA Coordinator AmavelVelasco (left) inquires regarding the technology. OIC Joselito Noceda (right) and Eva Pugay (2ndfrom left) of explain the process involved in producing wood vinegar.DA-TechGen

CDEGUZMAN

(OA), Ms. Leilani Ramona K. Limpin of theOrganic Certification Center of thePhilippines (OCCP), reported specific topicson regulations, standards, certificationrequirements and processes, issues andconcerns, and future directions. The lasttopic dealt on the standardization of foodproducts as presented by Engr. Jake M.Velasco of the Bureau of Product Standardsof the Department of Trade and Industry(BPS-DTI).

To present specific policyrecommendations and strategies that wouldpromote the adoption of productcertification, a workshop was conducted.Participants were grouped into two: 1)Policy and implementation, 2) Users andstakeholders of certification.

Facilitating the group discussionswere experts from UN-CAPSA andPadjadjaran University in Indonesia. Groupswere given guide questions to start thediscussion. The two questions were: 1) Howare we going to harmonize the different lawsand policies on assuring quality products,process, practices in agriculture andfisheries; 2) What specific programs do weneed to do to ensure the quality of our fresh

and processed produce through productcertification.

As a consolidated output of thetwo groups, six major issues and concernscame out. These are: 1) tedious andexpensive product/process certification; 2)lack of information campaign on GAP andOA; 3) Inadequate incentive package onthe part of the government to support DA'sprograms on GAP and OA; 4) Certificationas a demand-driven issue and makingfarmers responsive to the demand of worldmarket; and 5) private monopoly of acertifying agency for organic agriculture.

From these issues and concerns,various suggestions and solutions wereformulated as recommendations andstrategies that would further promote theadoption of product certification in thecountry enabling farmers to take advantageof the growing market for high-qualityfood products.

With the help of UN-CAPSA,BAR hopes that with a proper system inplace, the output of the workshop serves asimportant basis not only on strengthening amarket niche for certified products but alsoin providing favorable policy environmentfor government support through the

implementation of relevant projects andprograms.

Based in Bogor, Indonesia,CAPSA is a subsidiary body of the UnitedNations Economic and SocialCommission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP) with the goal of alleviatingpoverty in Asia and the Pacific throughthe development of secondary crops.Specifically, its tasks include producingand disseminating information andsuccessful practices on poverty alleviationmeasures; helping coordinate socio-economic and policy research onagriculture; networking with national andinternational organizations and keystakeholders; and conducting research andanalyzing trends and opportunities toimprove the economic status of ruralpeople.

BAR is one of CAPSA's partnersin the Philippines along with thePhilippine Council for Agriculture,Forestry and Natural Resources Researchand Development (PCARRD), SoutheastAsian Regional Center for Graduate Studyand Research in Agriculture (SEARCA),and National Anti-Poverty Commission(NAPC). (Rita T. dela Cruz)

...output of the workshop servesas important basis not only on

strengthening a market niche forcertified products but also in

providing favorable policyenvironment for government

support through theimplementation of relevant

projects and programs.

“

”

CBWM...from page 12

commodities for alternative livelihoodssuch as vegetables, rootcrops, rice, corn,coconut, and fruit trees. The BSWMproject staff observed that thestakeholders took the responsibility tomanage the technologies on soil andwater management, soil conservation,and proper land use. The provision ofalternative livelihood for increased

productivity and profitability was alsoincluded in the provinces of Ilocos Sur,Tarlac, Bulacan, and Bohol. With theproject's collaboration with otherorganizations such as provincial localgovernment units and the Federation ofFree Farmers in the Philippines headedby President Leonardo Q. Montemayor,the project is assured of its effectiveness

and sustainability.Positive results were noted by

the project staff: the idea of failure isfar from reality as people, technologies,processes, and resources areintertwined to contribute to its successin new and expanded areas.Furthermore, people's cohesiveness andempowerment capability served asinfluencing factors in managingcommunity resources efficiently andeffectively.

With these observations, theCBWM project will not only providerelevant technologies and services tofarmers but will ensure food security,productivity, profitability, andsustainable development in all areaswith enhanced motivation andcapability on proper soil and watermanagement, land use, and alternativelivelihood activities throughcommunity participation,empowerment, and development( ).Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

December 2008 Issue

NEWS

14 BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC 3

Spice plant extracts showpromise against peanut aflatoxin

The growth of the fungus that bringsabout aflatoxin in peanut can beinhibited by extracts of garlic

and other plants.This was found in a sub study

made by researchers of the Central LuzonState University (CLSU) on the effects ofherbs and spices on the causal fungus ofaflatoxin.

The research was conducted underthe auspices of a collaborative projectbetween BAR and the International CropsResearch Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics(ICRISAT) based in India titled, “EnhancingAdoption of ICRISAT Legume Varieties andTechnologies in the Philippines”.

The sub study, “Cultural controlusing selected herbs and medicinal plantsagainst the aflatoxin fungus,

, on peanut”, was conducted in CLSUby researchers led by Marilyn Patricio. Theothers in her group were Raol Pamiloza,Frodie Waing, and Evergilio Aquino Jr.

Interestingly, the plants studied arethe kind that one may readily find in agarden or vegetable patch. Crude extractswere taken from:

1. onion - bulbs ( L.)2. garlic - cloves ( L.)3. sweet basil or solasi - leaves

( )4. ginger - rhizomes (

Rose.)5. neem tree - leaves (

Adr. Juss )6. ringworm bush - leaves (

L.)7. Magascar periwinkle - flowers

( (L.) G. Don)8. Phyllantus - leaves (

Schum. And Thonn.)9. kalachuchi - flowers (

Ait.)10. marigold - flowers (

L.)Two methods of evaluating the

suppressive effect of the materials wereused: paper disc and blotter. For the paperdisc method, filter paper discs wereimmersed in suspensions of andsmall amounts of the extracts were thenplaced on top. The efficacy of the extractsfor suppressing the development of thefungus on paper discs was compared withthat of a commercial fungicide, Dithane M-45 (at 2000 ppm), and a control (notreatment whatsoever). The suppressingeffect of each extract was determinedthrough measurements of the growth of the

(Alliumsativum)

Aspergillusflavus

Allium cepaAllium sativum

Ocimum basilicum L.Zingiber

officinaleAzadiracta

indicaCassia

alata

Catharanthus roseusPhyllantus

amarusPlumeria

acuminataTagetes erecta

A. flavus

fungus across the discs at 3, 5, and 7 daysafter incubation.

For the blotter method, a peanutvariety known to be susceptible to

, Pn-9, was used. Each of the crudeextracts was sprayed on Pn-9 seeds thathad previously been disinfected. Thesewere then placed in Petri dishes with

. For comparison, Dithane M-45 wasalso applied on seed samples and anuntreated lot served as control. The plateswere incubated and observed forinfection for several days. Measurementstaken were of percentage infection ofpeanut seeds, the development of thefungus on the kernels, and percentagegermination.

The results for the paper discmethod showed that all the extractsinitially suppressed the growth ofin comparison with the control but atvarying extents. The garlic extractsinitially exhibited zero fungal growth asdid the Dithane M-45. At 7 days afterinfection (DAI), the garlic extracts andDithane M-45 still showed zero fungalgrowth. The ginger extracts were thesecond with lesser suppression of fungalgrowth.

For the blotter method, all seedstreated with extracts were initiallyobserved to have zero rates of infection ascompared with Dithane M-45. The controlhad 77.5% infection. However, at 7 daysafter treatment (DAT), it was only thegarlic and ginger extracts along withDithane M-45 that still had zero values.The others exhibited higher rates ofinfection ranging from 47.5% forkalachuchi extract to 100% infection forthe onion extract.

The spread of the fungus on thepeanut seeds was observed from 5 DATuntil 28 DAT. The results showed that itwas only the extracts from garlic that had arating of 1.00 (the Dithane M-45 had a

A.flavus

A.flavus

A. flavus

A. flavus

rating of 2.30 while the control had 6.00).This was followed by ginger at 3.83. In allthe crude extracts except garlic, the spreadof the growth of increased withtime. It can be seen then that thesuppressive effect of garlic lasts longerthan Dithane M-45.

Percentage germination weremeasured at 7 DAT. The measurementswere arrived at after discounting for othercauses of nongermination such asmoisture content, seed viability, toxicsubstances that may be released by

, and the prevailing temperature.The results showed that the extract fromonions had the lowestgermination percentage (45%) and that thegarlic extracts showed the highestgermination (75%). The performance ofgarlic was even better than Dithane M-45which had only 62.5% germination at 7DAT.

The suppressive effect of thecrude extracts on is thought to bedue to fungicidal properties inherent to theplants tested. Other plants, such asampalaya ( ) andolasiman ( ), havepreviously been shown to have aninhibiting effect on fungal organismsaffecting ubi and gabi. Nigerianresearchers have also demonstrated thatextracts of Lam.(malunggay) can inhibit the growth of

in cowpeaThe CLSU research indicates that garlicand ginger are among the plants that mayenable commercial crops to respond betterto fungal infection.

With the encouraging resultsfrom this laboratory study, furtherdevelopment of locally available spicesand herbs, particularly garlic and ginger,as sources of phytochemicals for thecontrol of appears to be in theright direction.

A. flavus

A.flavus

(A. cepa)

A. flavus

Momordica charantiaPortulaca oleracea

Moringa oleifera

Colletotrichum destructivum .

A. flavus(Victoriano B. Guiam)

FEATURE

FJapanese

farmers have been using woodvinegar to improve crop and

livestock production. They use it as: 1)foliar spray, particularly for fungus (greymolds), 2) insecticide when mixed with hotpepper, 3) enhancer for compost-making,4) soil conditioner to improve the soilwhen mixed with charcoal, and 5) feedsupplement or additives for livestock feeds

Wood vinegar is a liquidsubstance that is obtained when organicmaterials such as wood, coconut shell,bamboo, grass, and other plants are placedin a heating chamber. When these materialsare heated, their juices, oils, and liquidcontents evaporate as steam or vapor. Thevapor passes through a tube where it willbe allowed to cool. When cooled, thevapor will turn into liquid (condensationprocess). The chamber is heated by burningfirewood at the lower portion of thechamber. The liquid (wood vinegar) flowsfrom a tubeinto a container ready for packing, storage,or use.

Wood vinegar contains organicsubstances such as organic acids, phenolicsubstances, carbon substances, alcohol,neutral materials, and base acidicsubstances. In addition, around 200chemical substances are also present.

What is wood vinegar?

or more than 30 years now,

Studies showed that whencharcoal and wood vinegar were used asfeed supplements in poultry, salmonellabacteria, which are responsible forgastrointestinal diseases of chickens, wereeliminated. In chicken egg production,farmers claimed that their hens improvedtheir egg-laying performance, had betterrearing characteristics, and improved theirhatching efficiency. It also improved thequality of eggs such as better taste,reduced cholesterol content, and hadharder egg shells.

Studies on swine productionshowed that sows improved theirperformance. They became healthier, theirfertility rate improved, and piglet sizebecame uniform. The fatteners alsoimproved their feeding efficiency andmeat quality. The foul odor from the

manure of the pigs was also reduced.Furthermore, reports from farmersindicated that their sows increased theirmilk production and diarrhea amongpiglets were prevented or cured.

In cattle, it is said that woodvinegar also improved meat quality,fertility rate, milk production, and feedefficiency.

Wood vinegar is actually adistillate of burning wood. According toMr. Masaki Yokomori, technicalconsultant of the Japanese AgriculturalExchange Cooperation (JAEC) of thegovernment of Japan, an estimated cost ofP30,000 is needed for the chamberconstruction. Although the design can bemodified to suit available resources, othernecessities such as water, firewood,bamboo, grasses, and others

. Except for pine tree, any treespecies can be utilized in producing woodvinegar.

The Thailand Department ofAgriculture-Agricultural ProductionSciences Research and DevelopmentOffice recommends the following as stepsin producing wood vinegar:

How to make

must readilybe available

1. Cure wood that has heartwood andbark for 5-15 days.

2. Pile wood in the kiln (Fig. 1). Closethe kiln and cover every hole withclay. Burn it at 120-430ºC.

3. After one hour, put a tile at the top ofthe chimney. If brown or dark browndrops appear on the tile, allow smoketo flow through a bamboo pipe so thatthe hot steam may be condensed intoliquid.

Exploring the beneficialuses of wood vinegar

by CHRISTMAS B. DE GUZMAN

photos courtesy of agnet.org

CDEGUZMAN

December 2008 Issue December 2008 Issue

NEWS FEATURE

4 BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC 13

IP specialist from

CGIAR visits BAR

An important mechanism thatprovides scientists and researchers away of controlling how their

protected works are to be utilized andoptimized, is the Intellectual Property Rights(IPR). This is designed to ensure that theyare properly rewarded for such inventiveendeavors.

Having an effective and easilyimplementable IPR system encourages andstimulates the creation of more innovationsand their ingenious use beneficial to people.This proves that the producer of a protectedwork is not the only beneficiary of thisendeavor but the users of technologies aswell. IPR provides a secured environment towhich the general public can have access toprotected high quality research without thefear that the original work may not beacknowledged.

On 16 December 2008, lawyerGuat Hong Teh, an IP specialist from theCentral Advisory Service on IntellectualProperty (CAS-IP), visited the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) for anorientation briefing of its IP policies andprograms. CAS-IP is a system unit of theConsultative Group on InternationalAgricultural Research (CGIAR), a networkof 15 independent international institutionsworking in the field of agricultural research.

The overall goal/vision of CAS-IPis to enable access and use of CGIARproducts for the benefit of the poor througheffective IP and technology transfermanagement. Its mission is to assist thealliance centers of CGIAR, their partners,

and the CGIAR System as a whole in acomprehensive approach to themanagement of Centre intellectual assets,as public goods. It provides assistance,support, and facilitation role and securesaccess to such intellectual assets.

CAS-IP recognizes that IP issuesrange from plant varieties and licensedtechnologies to patents and diagnostickits. The ongoing challenge is to ensurethat this property is effectively managedwhen in the custody of the various users.

Among the concerns discussedby Atty. Teh with BAR were: 1)strengthening the National PartnersInitiative (NPI) in relation to CAS-IP'ssupport towards building on knowledgeand expertise in handling intellectualproperty and technology transfer, 2)

establishing an international professionalsociety of IP practitioners, and 3)bridging the gap between IP andtechnology transfer.

Teh is a lawyer by professionand has experience in dispute resolutionand intellectual property matters. Beforeher appointment at CAS-IP in 2006, shewas an associate in an international lawfirm providing advise on various disputeresolution and intellectual propertymatters. She is based in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia.

Meeting her during the briefingwere Dr. Andrea B. Agillon, head of theIntellectual Property Rights Office(IPRO), and Mr. Victoriano B. Guiam,head of the International Relations Unit(IRU). Dr. Agillon briefed Atty. Teh onthe bureau's IP policies in relation to theoverall IP system of the Department ofAgriculture and other concerned agencies.

Also present during the meetingwas Ms. Mariko M. Ramos of theProgram Development Division, whoexplained the various research grants thatBAR's partner-agencies can availthemselves of. Other attendees includedMs. Leilani D. Pelegrina of IPRO andMs. Ma. Elena M. Garces of theTechnology Commercialization Unit.(Rita T. dela Cruz with reports fromVictoriano B. Guiam)

RDELACRUZ

RDELACRUZ

The end of the year makes itautomatic for most organizations toreflect on what it has achieved so far.

Milestones are given such a premium andare brandished grandly in annual reports.For R&D organizations such as the Bureauof Agricultural Research (BAR), it is notany different. But how do we measureaccomplishments? More important, how dowe support our claims of making a positiveimpact on the lives of our stakeholders andbeneficiaries?

For BAR's part, its latest endeavorto strengthen the capacity of its projectproponents may only be the beginning of afeat, but it could probably be considered aquantum leap for the organization and itsstakeholders anyway.

In November, about 60 proponentsof BAR-funded projects and a handful ofBAR technical and senior staff memberswere trained on determining the profitabilityof new production and processingtechnologies. The training was conductedby the Southeast Asian Regional Center forGraduate Study and Research in Agriculture(SEARCA) in partnership with BAR.

It was a short and basic course onfinancial viability but it nevertheless

Both urgent and important

Of milestonesand profitabilityof R&D projects

by MIKO JAZMINE J. MOJICA

answered two important concerns:educating project proponents to present anaccurate estimate of the profitability ofprojects they wish to pursue; and allowingpotential investors, funding agencies, andpolicymakers to easily determine if theproject is worthy to get support or not.Consequently, two significant outcomes arelikely: scarce resources are spent wiselyand projects with the highest benefits andreal economic potential are explored andprioritized.

BAR Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar and Dr. Mercedita Sombilla,SEARCA's Consulting Services Manager,closely collaborated on making thecapacity enhancement training possible bymerging its resources. Respected professorswho are experts in agricultural economicsat the University of the Philippines LosBaños (UPLB) were tapped as the keyresource persons.

Dr. Corazon T. Aragon, a full-pledged professor and consultant todifferent government agencies andinternational funding organizations such asthe World Bank, acted as the overalltraining expert. Dr. Aragon, with Dr. CesarB. Quicoy, Prof. Alessandro Manilay, and

Experts pooled

Prof. Antonio Jesus Quilloy trained twobatches of trainees over two consecutiveweeks in Los Baños, Laguna.

The training flow for bothbatches consisted of long but practicallaboratory exercises per topic to make surethat the participants could follow andapply everything that was taught to themin the lectures. The participants werebasically taught the fundamentals in fourtopics as follows: Cost and ReturnAnalysis and Income Statement Analysis,Partial Budget Analysis, Break-evenAnalysis, and Financial Cash FlowAnalysis.

For many of the participants, thetraining was “like going back to schoolagain”. The training was started with apretest to determine the existingknowledge of participants before thetraining and was ended with a posttest tomeasure how much they have learned fromthe lectures and exercises. The trainingwas an eye-opener not only for theparticipants but its organizers as well.

For participants who have little orno knowledge in proper profitabilityanalysis, it made them realize what theywere doing wrong in preparing the budgetand computing the profitability of theirprojects. Moreover, that it is actually moredifficult to be conscientious in properlyidentifying the items that should bereflected in their profitability analysis thancomputing the figures that they came upwith.

For the organizers, it made themrealize how significant the training was forall its proponents. More than striving forachieving a standard for reflecting thebudget framework and financial viabilityof projects, it was obvious that selling theidea on the significance of the training andgetting them to re-echo what they learnedto other proponents in their respectiveorganizations are most critical.

After all, for determining theimpact of R&D projects, passing andnurturing knowledge could probably countas a milestone.

Students again

BAR Dir. Nicomedes P. Eleazar (front row, center) poses with participants of the first batch of traineescomposed of proponents of BAR-funded projects from RIARCS and RFRDCs. Also in the photo areSEARCA officials, namely: Dr. Mercedita Sombilla, manager of Consulting Services (left of Dir.Eleazar); Dr. Gil Saguiguit Jr., deputy director for Admin (right of Dir. Eleazar); and Dr. CorazonAragon (front row, second from right), over-all training expert.

Participants for the second batch were composed of proponents of BAR-funded projects from SUCs.

SEARCA photo

SEARCA photo

Atty. Guat Hong The (right), IP specialist from CAS-IP, discussesIP policies and programs with Dr. Andrea B. Agillon (left), headof IPRO, during her visit at BAR for an orientation meeting.

Present during the meeting are (L-R) Victoriano B. Guiam,head of IRU, Mariko M. Ramos of PDD, Leilani D. Pelegrinaof IPRO, and Ma. Elena M. Garces of TCU.

December 2008 Issue December 2008 Issue

NEWS FEATURE NEWS

12 BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC 5

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) and thePhilippine Council for

Agriculture, Forestry and NaturalResources Research and Development(PCARRD) sponsored an activity toenhance and support the Philippineagricultural research and development(R&D) through the recent IntellectualProperty (IP) Management TrainingWorkshop of the Cagayan ValleyAgriculture Resources Research andDevelopment Consortium (CVARRD)at Isabela State University (ISU) inEchague, Isabela.

The workshop had beenconceived since the early part of 2007when ISU President Dr. RogelioQuilang and its research director, Dr.Edmundo Gumpal, visited IPRO-BARto request IP training. That time, theythought of giving it to ISU staff only.The training was not scheduled that yearbecause of more pressing priorities.

Later in 2008, they decided tohold it through CVARRD and expandedthe topics to include Plant GeneticResources and starting an IPManagement Office. The workshop wasfinally held at the CVARRD building,ISU main campus

.on 26-27 November

2008

BAR, PCARRD partner for IPawareness in Cagayan Valley

Dr. Bessie Burgos and Mr.Noel Catibog of PCARRD, Ms.Restituta Antolin of the Department ofEnvironment ad Natural Resources(DENR)-Region 2, and Dr. AndreaAgillon and lawyer Dennis Gumpal ofBAR were the resource speakers. Dr.Burgos discussed relevant internationaland national treaties, laws and policiesregarding IPR (WTO, TRIPS, etc.), aswell as IP Management tools in relationto the innovation process. Mr. Catibogdiscussed the Establishment andOperation of IP/Technology LicencingOffice, while Ms. Antolin discussed theWildlife and Resources Conservationand Protection Act.

BAR speakers were giventhree topics each. Dr. Agillon discussedRelevance of IP in EconomicDevelopment and Encouraging CreativeTalents, Patents and Utility Models, andPatent Search andDocumentation asSources of TechnologicalInformation. Sheemphasized the differentBAR services in IPManagement for the DA-NaRDSAF member-agencies. Atty. Gumpaltalked on Copyright andRelated Rights, IP Policy

Formulation which included aworkshop. Member agencies were ableto draft their IP Policies and have themcritiqued by the resource speakers. Thespeakers assured the participants oftheir help in IP management.

The same seminars in 2009 inother consortia in the country that willrequest the same services as a deliveryprogram of both the agencies for theimprovement and development of theA/F and S/T sectors. This willencourage researchers and scientists todevelop exemplary outputs that arepatentable or need IPR protection fornational development.

Hopefully, the informationgained by the researchers will serve ascontributing factor in making R&Dexcellent and at par with that ofneighboring countries in the Southeastor even Asian region. (

)

Andrea B.Agillon, PhD and Marlowe U. AquinoPh.D

confirms the effectiveness of commontable salt for 'bugtok' control for bananasgrowing under coconuts.

In the Pava study, there was 0%incidence of 'bugtok' disease in farmswhere table salt was applied on the stumpof harvested banana adjacent to the onebearing the new inflorescence at least 10days before and/or 5 days after emergenceof the adjacent inflorescence. In the PCAversion, the salt was placed on theharvested banana stump much advancedor later than 5 days after emergence ofinflorescence of the adjacent banana plant.According to the researchers, the timingof salt application on the stump ofharvested banana, considering theflowering stage of the adjacent bananaplants, plays a significant role in thecomplete control of 'bugtok' disease in'Cardaba' banana plants. Placing the salt atthe right time will totally eliminate'bugtok' in the banana fruit.

The researchers think that salthas a killing effect on the 'bugtok' bacteriathat enter through the banana flower, thuspreventing the onset of the disease.Furthermore, NaCl may also have theeffect of enhancing the ability of the plantcells to withstand attacks by the 'bugtok'organism.

Effect of NaCl application on the yieldof 'Cardaba' banana under 'LAGT'coconut palms

Based on the PCA data, bananaplants treated with NaCl produced heavierand more banana fruits estimated at 10-13tons of 'Cardaba' fruits per ha/year ascompared to only 8.8 tons for theuntreated plants. More important, therewere more marketable fruits from the salt-treated plants as there was a lowerproportion of rejected fruits owing to'bugtok' as compared with the untreatedbanana plants.

According to the PCAresearchers, this agrees with researchfindings on other crops about the positiveeffect of NaCl in increasing yield. In NewZealand, the yield in fresh roots and freshsugar content of fodder beet (L.) was improved significantly with theapplication of Cl and that this can increaselinearly as more salt is applied. Incoconut, PCA studies have shown thatNaCl is effective in increasing nutproduction, weight of copra per nut, andcopra yield per tree.

The 34% incidence of 'bugtokdisease' in the untreated Cardaba banana isequivalent to a loss of about 3,000 kg/ha.With the technology of salt application,this loss can be prevented and better yield

Beta vulgaris

and quality of banana can be obtained.The PCA trial showed that fertilization ofbananas with salt, in combination withother good agricultural practices, canassure 'Cardaba' and 'Saba' bananafarmers of a good harvest of qualitybananas even in areas where 'bugtok' isprevalent.-----Sources:1. Elmer, W. H.. “Using Sodium Chloride to Control

Plant Diseases” . Connecticut AgriculturalExperiment Station. From Salt Institute website(http://www.saltinstitute.org/elmer.html#)

2. Fresco, Mary Charlotte O. “Combating thebanana bugtok disease effectively”. In BARChronicle. Vol. 3 No. 9. May 1-15, 20023. Pava, Herminio, N. S. Franje and T. J.Timario. Banana Pilot Demonstration studies forBukidnon: Table salt and debudding to control'bugtok' disease of cooking banana cultivars'Saba' and 'Cardaba'. The Phil. Journal of CropScience. Vol.28 No. August 2003.

4. Secretaria, Millicent I., Severino S. MagatandMarianita N. Eroy.“Field Application ofCommon salt (Sodium Chloride) on CookingBanana cultivar 'Cardaba' (Musa balbisiana)grown under a Coconut + Banana Agro-ecosystem: A Techno-Demonstration Trial inSouthern Mindanao, Philippines”. Paperpresented at the 2008 DA-BAR National Research

Symposium. Awarded as 2 Best AFMA R & DPaper for Applied Research, TechnologyVerification/Adoption-Agriculture Category. Oct.2-3, 2008, RDMIC Bldg. Diliman, Quezon City.

5. Soguilon C. E, L. V. Magnaye and M. P. Natural.Musa Disease Fact Sheet No 6. BUGTOKDISEASE OF BANANA. (October, 1995).Bioversity International

nd

Salt fertilization...from page 11

Speakers and participants during the BAR-PCARRD sponsored activity on IP Management Training Workshop of CVARRD staff members.

The final implementing stage ofcommunity-based watershedmanagement (CBWM) project

turned out to be a significantachievement when the stakeholdersagreed to continue its activities onappropriate use and application of

CBWM stakeholders speak up for sustainability

technologies and services in the pilotsites. This project is being implementedjointly by the Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement (BSWM) and theInternational Crop Research Institute forthe Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), whichprovided technical assistance during the

entire project duration.As mentioned by the farmers

during the project impact assessmentin Talibon, Bohol, they would take fullresponsibility to sustain fieldoperations even without furtherexternal funding immediately afterproject completion at the end of theyear. Specifically, the communitymembers will rely on their resourcesand strength to work and producequality outputs for their community'sprogress.

The CBWM project is amulti-sectoral initiative that combinessoil and water managementtechnologies, using principles ofcommunity development, to effectchange in the lives and conditions offarmers, especially in areas with smallwater reservoir for better productionmanagement system. Throughfarmers' participation in planning,implementation, and monitoring andevaluation activities, the community isassured of continued local supportessential in the production of priority

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MAQUINO

December 2008 Issue December 2008 Issue

NEWS FEATURE

6 BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC 11

Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy, assistantdirector of the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR),

officially represented the Philippines in threeinternational meetings in support to globaland national agricultural research anddevelopment (ARD).

These are the Global Forum onAgricultural Research (GFAR) DonorSupport Group Meeting on November 29;Consultative Group on InternationalAgricultural Research Annual GeneralMeeting (CGIAR- AGM08) on November29-December 5 both held at the JoaquimChissano Conference Center (JCCC),Maputo, Republic of Mozambique; andCenter of Applied Biology International(CABI) Executive Council Meeting onDecember 16 at the International CoffeeOrganization, London, United Kingdom.

The three meetings are annuallyconducted to review and present theorganizations' accomplishments and futureactivities which enhance and support theinternational and national agriculturaldevelopment.

Dr. Solsoloy reported that GFARfocused its discussion on its purpose andbusiness plan for 2008-2009, expectations ofGFAR arising from the CGIAR changeprocess with emphasis on the resourceimplications and possible mechanisms andthe proposed plan for CY 2009 includingdonors' re-sourcing activities.

GFAR

Solsoloy attends GFAR,CGIAR, and CABI meetings

Specifically, the forumhighlighted four renewed foci on strategicobjectives that have implications todevelopment. These included

which will bring about collectivemovements for change especially on theuse of knowledge and voices of ARDstakeholders including coherence,awareness and efficiency in addressing keythemes of international agencies;

, which leads tothe generation and application ofknowledge as a critical factor to meetingthe huge global challenges facingagriculture;by inter-regional partnership; and

(El-Beltagy 2008).With GFAR's responsibility

towards ARD, it hopes to further enhanceand support local, national, andinternational development with the use ofagricultural knowledge by creatingcommon access to diverse informationdatabases, sharing of regional agriculturalinformation and learning systems, linkingwith ARD webring through open accessand collective knowledge and learning.These initiatives are hope to shape thefuture of agriculture globally with localizedimplementation.

This year's Annual GeneralMeeting of CGIAR discussed the CGIARChange Management Process, IndependentReview of CGIAR System, and Medium

advocacy forchange

institutions for the future

increasing ARD effectivenessbringing

knowledge for all

CGIAR-AGM

Term Plans and 2009 Financing Plan. Themeeting provided the active participationof the Philippines through Dr. Solsoloy toshare his views and perspectives on theChange Management Innovations ofCGIAR. This is the first time in thehistory that they allowed a country with anobserver status to participate in thediscussion and given a voter power.

It was noted that there were threemain aspects handled within the changemanagement process, namely: Visioning,Partnerships, Governance, and FinancingMechanism. Within the year in review,the visioning aspect, particularly thecommunication and outreach, media hasplayed an important role as it increasedcoverage by growing interest inagriculture owing to the rising food pricesand more proactive media approach. Thiswas observed on the media stories coveredto include promotions carried out inpartnerships with Centers featuring topicson food price crisis, Svalabard GlobalSeed Vault, the Enola bean patent claim,the use of wastewater in urban and peri-urban agriculture, and bush meat trade andbanana production and conservation.

It has also drawn great interestthe system-wide capacity building andcollaboration with some Centers and thepresence of CGIAR in international eventswith publication and informationdissemination and management in areas ofagricultural development.

On to the financial aspect, thetotal system revenues in 2007 wereUS$520 million, an increase of US$72million (16%, or 14% in real terms) fromUS$ 448 million in 2006 (Wang 2008).

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Dr. Solsoloy with (L-R) Dr. Rex Navarro, director of Communications, ICRISAT; Dr. William Dar, directorgeneral of ICRISAT, and Dr. Manuel Lantin, science advisor, CGIAR Secretariat.

NEWS

The application of sodium chloride(NaCl) or common salt is highlyeffective in controlling the

incidence of 'bugtok' disease on 'Cardaba'banana and in enhancing yield.

This was recently confirmed byresearchers of the Philippine CoconutAuthority (PCA) in a paper titled, “FieldApplication of Common Salt (Sodiumchloride) on Cooking Banana cultivar'Cardaba' ( ) grown undera Coconut + Banana Agro-ecosystem: ATechno-Demonstration Trial in SouthernMindanao”.

The report was presented at the2008 National Research Symposium of theDA-Bureau of Agricultural Research on 2October 2008 by Millicent I. Secretaria,Science Research Specialist II/Scientist 1of the PCA-Davao Research Center(PCA-DRC) in Bago-Oshiro, Davao City;Dr. Severino S. Magat, DepartmentManager/Scientist IV of PCA-Diliman inQuezon City; and Marianita N. Eroy,Science Research Specialist II and Officer-in-Charge of the Agronomy and SoilsDivision of the PCA-DRC.

'Cardaba' and 'Saba', the varietiesused for making quality chips, flour, andketchup, are the most affected bananavarieties and 'bugtok' is very common inareas where these are grown. To theuntrained eye, 'bugtok'-infected banana

Musa balbisiana

Salt fertilization controlsdisease, improves yield ofbananas - PCA study confirms

BugtokCardaba

by VICTORIANO B. GUIAM

plants appear normal with the leavesremaining green and the fruitsseemingly normal in development.However, the bracts of the maleinflorescence ( , if left in the fruitbunch, do not fall off.

In time, the male inflorescenceacquires a dry and loose appearance.Externally, this character is the onlydistinguishing symptom that candifferentiate healthy from infectedplants. Internally, the effects of thedisease show up in the banana fruit. Thedisease's main symptom is described asthe red and black discoloration runningfrom the core of the banana fruit that canextend towards the whole pulp. The fruitstem or peduncle may exhibit yellowishbrown discoloration or black spots. Theaffected fruits develop hard lumps whenripe. This condition is not eliminated bycooking and renders the fruitunpalatable.

'Bugtok' is caused by abacterium scientifically known as

E. F.Smith. 'Bugtok' is a disease that istransmitted by sucking insects, possiblythrips. Infection is introduced throughthe male inflorescence. The symptomsdevelop once the pathogen gains entryinside the fruit and its vascular system.Typically, plants infected with bugtok do

puso)

Pseudomonas solanacearum

not wilt or die but they fail to producemarketable fruits thereby reducing therealizable income of the banana farmer.

The effectiveness of salt for'bugtok' control was first noted byresearchers of the Central MindanaoUniversity in Bukidnon led by Dr. HerminioPava. They found that when common tablesalt is applied to the stump of recentlyharvested banana stalks adjacent to stalksbearing new inflorescence, NaCl cancompletely prevent the appearance of'bugtok' disease. The technique of baggingof the inflorescence and early debudding(removal of the 'puso') greatly reduces theincidence of bugtok. However, the results ofthe Pava study showed that it is theapplication of 0.5 kg of table salt to eachplant within five days of flower initiationthat completely eliminated 'bugtok'.

More known as an agency forcoconuts, the PCA sought to verify thereport on salt fertilization, this time, for'Cardaba' bananas already growing undercoconut as an intercrop. In its study, therecently harvested banana stalks adjacent toones bearing new inflorescence were cutone foot above the ground. One kilogram ofNaCl was then placed in a hole made at thecenter of each cut stump.

Thirty four percent of the fruits ofthe untreated 'Cardaba' bananas becameinfected with the 'bugtok' disease. Therewas evidence of some infection in thetreated plants but this was much less at 1.4 -2.7% of the total fruit harvest. Thus, this

Effect of NaCl application on 'bugtok'disease incidence of 'Cardaba' bananaunder 'LAGT' coconut palms

RDELACRUZ

INIBAP photo

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December 2008 Issue December 2008 Issue

10 BAR hronicleC

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC 7

Furthermore, the 2009 financing plan wasdiscussed drawing from the proposals of theCenters and challenge programs in thecontext of a number of evolving externaland internal developments that are likely toaffect the financial outcome of the system in2009.

For the governance andaccountability aspect, CGIAR highlightedthe activities and initiatives under theChange Management Process. It hasconducted and completed several CenterExternal Program and Management Reviews(EPMRs) and Challenge Program ExternalReviews (CPERs) which served as modelfor other CPs or other programs in CGIARgoing forward. It also provided means toexplore and improve the performancemeasurement system for the efficientmonitoring and evaluation activities of theCGIAR Centers and Programs. All activitiesunder the CGIAR system provided animproved and innovative system for theoverall orchestration of internationalagricultural research and development.

Noted in the discussions was thechanging of an annual general meeting to abiennial conference where in Dr. Solsoloymade a suggestion that the conference benamed as Global Conference for Researchand Development (GCARD).

Aside from Dr. Solsoloy, the CABImeeting was also attended by the Minister ofthe Philippine Embassy in London.Discussions were focused more on the newrevised CABI structure, presentation of theinitiative projects on biodiversity, the ChiefExecutive Officer report, approval of thejoint venture company with Royal Hollowayand financial update for 2008 and 2009. ThePhilippines was also voted to be one of thecountry's that will serve as Board Observer.

CABI, which main task is to

CABI

improve people's lives worldwide byproviding information and applyingscientific expertise to solve problems inagriculture and the environment, discussedits year-in-review performance andaccomplishments, plans and programs for2009, and its strategies to improve thesystem and network.

The CABI organization andmembership have provided a diversemechanism that delivers its program to itsclientele and members throughconsolidated bioservices, improved projectdevelopment, forecasting and control, andimplementation of mega-projects. Theseare now further supported by establishedpartnerships with other organizations thatare concerned with agricultural research.To do this, CABI's mandate is to providesustainable approaches to agriculture oncontinuous fundamental research,development and implement utilization ofnew technologies, assist farmers withproper integrated pest management

choices and innovative approaches toknowledge management that promotes foodsecurity.

Based on the three internationalmeetings, Dr. Solsoloy believes that thesecould assist the Department of Agriculturethrough BAR in shaping the direction of thePhilippine agriculture and fisheries R&Dwith the cooperation of its partner-agenciesunder the DA-National Research andDevelopment System in Agriculture andFisheries (NaRDSAF). Such challenges,initiatives and innovative strategies, anddirections will make every key player workfor a brighter and better ARD since food isstill the basic concern globally and locally.

Dr. Solsoloy emphasized, “let ususe agricultural information and knowledgeas the basis to improve the lives of peopleand their communities. Let us reap the R&Doutputs such as technologies for themaximum utility of all.” (

)

Marlowe U.Aquino, PhD with reports from Dr. TeodoroS. Solsoloy

Dr. Solsoloy with Dr. Trevor Nicholls,chief executive officer of CABI.

Dr. Solsoloy with Mr. Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III,minister of the Embassy of the Philippines in London, U.K.

Based on the three internationalmeetings, Dr. Solsoloy believesthat these could assist DA throughBAR in shaping the directionof the Philippine agriculture andfisheries R&D with the cooperationof its partner agencies under theDA-National Research andDevelopment System in Agricultureand Fisheries.

Second to rice, corn is an importantcrop in the Philippines. Corn,specifically the white variety of

Quality Protein Maize (QPM) or “whitecorn”, is a nutritious and potential healthfood. QPM enhances one's memorybecause of its thiamin content. It alsocontains pantothenic acid (a B-vitamin),which helps in the functioning ofadrenal glands. Significantly, QPM is ananti-oxidant because of its phenoliccompounds. It can protect a person fromacquiring degenerative diseases such ascancer and heart ailments. It alsocontains two essential amino acids –

and .Cheaper to produce and buy as

well, white corn, when added to rice,would add million of tons of qualityprotein in the world supply. Moreimportant, it provides the marginalizedFilipino households with an enrichedpotential staple. According to cropsexpert, white corn gives more calcium,beta carotene, and protein than rice.

A study conducted by Dr.Wilma Hurtada, head of the FoodManagement and AdministrationDivision of the College of HumanEcology in the University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB), titled“Nutritional Content of Rice

lysine tryptophan

as enriched potential stapleRICE COMPOSITES (rice +corn)

Composites,” aimed to measure thenutritional content of rice, corn, andtheir combinations.

Dr. Hurtada presented thefindings in a technology demonstrationduring the UPLB-College ofAgriculture's Agri-Trade Fair held at theUniversity of the Philippines Diliman.The Bureau of Agricultural Researchwas one of the sponsors and participantsin the event.

Generally, the study showedthat proximate composition of ricecomposites increased with greaterconcentration of corn since it hasgreater fat, protein, fiber, and total ashcontents except for moisture. Thus, ricecomposites are more nutritious than ricealone and, therefore, can significantlyhelp fill up the required daily energyand nutrients intake of an individual.

Rice composites are a mixtureof rice and corn studied and developedin terms of their nutritional value andpalatability, said Dr. Hurtada. “Atpresent, the 70:30 combination (70%rice and 30% QPM) is found acceptableby consumers,” she emphasized.

Dr. Hurtada explained thatsubstituting the consumption of rice by10% corn grits is enough to reduce foodinsecurity and hunger only if the non-

corn eating Filipinos accept ricecomposite as their staple. She alsosuggested small-to-medium enterprises(SMEs) to consider rice composite forcommercialization which can helpincrease farmers' earnings. (ChristmasB. de Guzman)

Dr. Wilma Hurtada of UPLB explains thenutrient contents of rice composites at theAgri-Trade Fair held in UP Diliman.

CDEGUZMAN

GAP...from page 8

rise in globalization brings both greateropportunities and new challengesbecause consumers around the worldare becoming aware and demandingwith regards to food quality and safety.

'Thus, the increase adoption ofthe GAP certification as a requirementin the export market has pushed manynations to embrace an on-farm foodsafety system,” he added.

Araullo said Mindanaofarmers are set to export their first-evershipment of corn abroad slated earlynext year.

He therefore pointed out theneed to sustain efforts in producingsufficient volumes of safe and high-quality corn for the benefit ofconsumers, food millers, and processorshere and abroad.

The Code of GAP for Corn is

a set of consolidated safety and qualitystandards for the production,harvesting and on-farm postharvesthandling, and storage of corn that aimsto provide safe and high quality corn tothe industry players and to reduce therisk of pesticide and aflatoxincontamination.

In addition, it consists ofrecommendations and availableknowledge to address environmental,economic, and social sustainabilitywith emphasis on six key areas such asfarm location, farm environment, farmstructure and facility maintenance,farm practices, workers' health andsafety, and farm management.

The GAP on corn will servethe DA in achieving its productiontarget of 6.9 million tons this year, ifmajority of farmers adopt it.

GAP-Corn emanated from thePhilippine GAP for Fruits andVegetables (GAP-FV) based on theconcept of Hazard Analysis of CriticalControl Points (HACCP) and qualitymanagement principle from farm totable continuum. It was prepared bythe Technical Working Group on CornQuality Management (TWG-CQM)and was presented by BAFPS DirectorGilberto E. Layese.

Along with the launching ofGAP for corn held at the ITCAFBuilding of the DA was the awardingof the outstanding quality corn farmersfrom different regions.

The annual search aims togive due recognition to the country'scorn farmers who have madeoutstanding achievements in theirrespective areas. (DA Press Release)

December 2008 Issue December 2008 Issue

BAR hronicleC 9

NEWS NEWS

8 BAR hronicleC December 2008 Issue

The WorldFish Center and theBureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) have agreed to jointly

implement a project titled “

.”This is stipulated in a Memorandum ofAgreement (MOA) signed by the twoorganizations in September 2008 toprovide capacity building support.Signatories to the MOA were

Maripaz L. Perez of theWorldFish Center for East and SoutheastAsia and Director Nicomedes P. Eleazarof BAR.

BAR, as a coordinating agencyfor R&D institutions, has adopted severalthrusts in its R&D program. Theseinclude: expanding the production-basedand enhancing the productivity andprofitability in agriculture and fisheries,promoting sustainable resource use along

StrengtheningPartnerships in Aquaculture andFisheries Research in the Philippines

RegionalDirector

WorldFish, BAR meet to address issueson aquaculture and fisheries R&D

with protecting biodiversity, sustainingglobal competitiveness of selected high-value export products, and alleviatingpoverty and empowering people.

Based on the proposal, thedevelopment works of the WorldFishCenter resulted in significant contributionsthat can be best shared with BAR andother Philippine-based researchers. Thisshall further enhance R&D efforts in thekey areas in fisheries development.

In lieu of the project, aconsultation meeting dubbed

was conducted on 16December 2008 at the Seminar Room,IRRI Harrar Hall, Los Baños, Laguna.

Executive Director Rafael D.Guerrero of the Philippine Council forAquatic and Marine Research andDevelopment (PCAMRD) welcomed the

PhilippinePartners Meeting: Complementation toaddress common issues in aquaculture andfisheries research

participants. Dr. Perez presented the

Smallgroup discussions followed with themeson 1) Making resilience a practicalconcept for improved small-scalefisheries, 2) Sustainable Aquaculture,and 3) Resilience and aquatic resources-dependent livelihoods: Cross cuttingissues.

The consultation hoped tostrengthen the partnerships of theWorldFish Center with national andregional organizations involved inaquaculture and small-scale fisheriesdevelopment. Specifically, this servedas venue to identify the factors affectingthe quality, scope, adoption, and impactof R&D activities and output in smallscale fisheries and aquaculture in thecountry; and develop a commonresearch agenda with partners in thecountry.

Global Drivers of Change: Relevancewithin the Philippine Setting.

(Ma. Eloisa E. Hernandez)

Reigning Miss Philippines Earth-Fire Kristelle Lazaro, Dyali Justoof the Adarna House, and

Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) reporterRiza Olchondra wowed some 120elementary school pupils from Bay andLos Baños, Laguna during story tellingsessions on rice and the environment atthe International Rice Research Institute(IRRI) on 12 December 2008.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer's“Read-Along” project, in association withthe U.S. Agency for InternationalDevelopment (USAID)-SustainableEnergy Development Program (SEDP),U.S. Department of Energy, Fuels4LIFEMovement, and IRRI's Community andEmployee Relations Services co-sponsored the story telling sessions.

The project, which received the2008 Philippine Quill, an award given bythe International Association of BusinessCommunicators, promotes the “love ofreading among children throughstorytelling sessions with celebrities andvolunteer readers.”

Ms. Lazaro read CERS ManagerChat Ocampo's book,

published by the Department ofAgriculture-Bureau of AgriculturalResearch, while Ms. Justo told

(The shy rooster), astory written by Rebecca T. Añonuevoand Ms. Olchondra read author Victoria

Popong eats hisrice,

Angmahiyaing manok

Story telling sessions on rice,environment wow children

Añonuevo's (Thelegend of palay) published by the AdarnaHouse.

A puppet show by the USAID-SEDP titled

(Guardians of nature) kicked off the two-hour Read-Along sessions hosted byInquirer Libre editor-in-chief Chito de laVega.

The Inquirer quoted DeputyDirector General for Operations andSupport Services William G. Padolina assaying: “It's good that the Inquirer isreviving the love for reading among kidsbecause it's very important in theireducation.”

“The book () will hopefully make children

appreciate the value of rice, that itdoesn't merely come from the grocery orsupermarket,” Ms. Ocampo told Inquirer.

“It is very inspiring to tellstories to children. This is not a waste oftime for me even if I come from Manila.It is a privilege to spread environmentalstories because not all children are awareof what they can do in saving MotherEarth. Through these stories, theybecome aware of issues on globalwarming,” Ms. Lazaro later told

.

Ang alamat ng palay

Ecodefenders:Tagapagtanggol ng kalikasan

Popong eats hisrice

Sandiwa

“In behalf of the USAID-SEDP, we thank the Inquirer Read-Along team for inviting us in IRRI. Wemaximize this kind of opportunity toshare the ecodefenders' story withchildren,” SEDP team head DiwataParedes said.

“The kids are behaved,receptive, and cooperative. Everythingis organized and the venue is suited forstory telling,” observed Inquirerresearch head Minerva Generalao.

The school children received afree copy of Ms. Ocampo's book, aswell as prizes from the RiceworldBookstore during the program's quizportion. They also received freecoloring books and crayons fromSEDP.

The CERS receivedcertificates of appreciation from thePDI signed by editor-in-chief LettyJimenez Magsanoc, Eco DefendersClub, and Fuels4LIFE Movement forhosting the Inquirer Read-Along inIRRI.

This is the first time that theCERS has tied up with the PhilippineDaily Inquirer in this project, althoughit has conducted story telling sessionson Popong eats his rice in almost allpublic elementary schools in Los Bañosand Bay during the past severalmonths. (IRRI Bulletin)

WORLDFISH photo

IRRI photo

The Department of Agriculture(DA) through the Bureau ofAgriculture and Fisheries Product

Standards (BAFPS) and the GMA-CornProgram recently launched the PhilippineNational Standard (PNS) Code of GoodAgricultural Practices (GAP) for corn,and honored this year's outstanding cornfarmers.

Agriculture Assistant SecretaryDennis B. Araullo and concurrent GMA-

GAP for corn launchedCorn program national coordinatorsaid the initiatives are part of DA'scontinuing effort “to make the Filipinocorn industry more productive,sustainable, and globally competitive,and the Filipino farmers earninggainfully from their hardwork andperseverance.”

Representing SecretaryArthur C. Yap, Araullo said that the

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December 2008 Issue