Volume 9 Issue No. 2 A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research FEBRUARY 2008

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BAR hronicleCVisit our official website at http://www.bar.gov.ph2007 BINHI AWARDEEAgricultural Newsletter of the Year

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

Who's new at BAR

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(L-R) Rene Cris P. Rivera, Miriam J. Mella, Amavel A. Velasco, Maylen D. Vilareal, andJonas Brian C. Almendrala

Acommunity of indigenous

peoples (IP) in Libacao, Aklanhas been selected as the

beneficiaries of a technologydemonstration project in anticipation of afull blast commercialization of abacaproduction in the country by 2020.

The project, which aims toshowcase the package of technology(POT) for abaca production in Aklanthrough field demonstrations, will start tobe implemented this year to determine ifthe technology will be productive and

Indigenous community in Aklanbenefits from abaca production

profitable enough to encourage farmersin expanding and sustaining an intensiveabaca production through clustering.

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) of the Department ofAgriculture (DA) is funding thecapability building and establishment ofabaca clusters in the IP communities inthree barangays, namely: Manika, Oyang,and Dalagsaan.

The project is an initiative ofSATRE Development Foundation, Inc., a

IN THIS ISSUE...

Indigenous community in Aklan benefits from abaca..........1

Corn is top performer in 2007; DA targets 94%.....................2

ACIAR, BAR bind agreement to conduct IAS on...................3

SMIARC evaluates rubber development program.................4

RP boosts rubber production through NRDP.........................4

Researchable areas on indigenous plants discussed..........5

BAR meets with SUCs to discuss R&D priority projects......5

DA taps agribiz and IT experts to launch e-AgriteK..............6

Farmers in Zambales gain from sweet tamarind...................1

BAR convenes regions for CPAR leveling-off meeting........7

Nationwide PRA kicks off in Negros Oriental........................8

CPAR Fisheries Workshop conducted...................................9

BAR participates in 7th Philippine Food Expo......................9

FEATURE: Why sweet sorghum is the best alternative......10

FEATURE: A site-specific and integrated approach............11

BAR trains onion growers on OPREMS...............................12

Who’s new at BAR..................................................................12

More than 700 people, mostlyfarmers, have benefitted fromthe commercialization of

sweet tamarind in the province ofZambales. This was according to thePampanga Agricultural College (PAC),the lead agency that developed the firstNational Seed Industry Council-approved sweet tamarind variety in thePhilippines.

The , the varietydeveloped by PAC scientists, iscomparable to Bangkok's variety whichis known for its sweetness. Zambaleswas identified as ideal for tamarind

Aglibut Sweet

Farmers in Zambales gain from sweet tamarind

planting owing to its semi-arid landsalthough this crop can grow well in anytype of soil and agro-climatic condition.

In 2006, after a decade ofresearch and development (R&D) workon this fruit crop, PAC embarked on itscommercialization in Zambales.

“Tamarind has a huge marketpotential in the Philippines because thecountry is continuously importing themwhile trying to meet the domesticdemand. The sweet tamarind is always indemand and can command a higher pricethan that of the sour variety,” PACscientists said.

When the commercializationproject culminated in 2007, about 4,500seedlings of sweet tamarind had beenprovided and planted in various farms andbackyards in Zambales.

PAC led the training andprovision of technical support tointerested farmers and tamarind growers.The training course implemented by PACincluded cultural management practices,postharvest handling, and marketingtechniques.

They also provided loanspayable within one year in threeinstallments at 10 percent annual interest

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photos by RITA DELA CRUZ

This month, the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) boosts its humanresource capability by introducing five

new staff members to its growing family., 21, is

a B.S. Agricultural Economics graduate fromthe University of the Philippines Los Baños(UPLB). He loves engaging in relaxingactivities such as watching movies, playingcomputer games, and surfing the Internet. Heis assigned at the Research CoordinationDivision (RCD) as the new coordinator forRegions 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 12(Central Mindanao). Although he expects thathis job is going to be hard, he remainsoptimistic about it saying that “he'll manage.”He describes himself as someone who is bothfriendly and dependable.

When asked to describe herself,, 22, said a clever remark

on how she is as a person to those who knewher well. “I am a living example of thatsaying, 'looks can be deceiving'. They usuallytake me for a timid and silent type of girl wellin fact, I am the opposite.” Amavel or simply“Ams” is also a product of UPLB with adegree in Agriculture (major in plantpathology). She is RCD's new coordinator forRegion IV-A. When asked about herexpectations, she puts a positive perspectiveto it, saying, “I expect it to be fun, excitingand challenging, the kind of work that willpush myself to the limits.”

or RC isperhaps one of the youngest graduates who

Jonas Brian C. Almendrala

Amavel A. Velasco

Rene Cris P. Rivera

turn to page 8...�

joined the BAR family. At 20, he graduatedin BS Economics from UP

Diliman and finished it in three and a halfyears. He is assigned at the ProjectPackaging Section of the ProgramDevelopment Division (PPS-PDD). Hisworking principle is to surpass one'sperceived limit, which pretty much reflectson his job expectation at BAR, which isintense work, lots of learning, and newacquaintances. He described himself as thetype who is “quiet to strangers, talkative tofriends.”

A documentary film enthusiast,, 23, is the new addition

to the Applied Communication Section ofthe Management Information SystemsDivision (ACS-MISD). She hails from LosBaños, Laguna. Another product of UPLB,she graduated BS Agribusiness Managementin 2005. She described herself as a “truefriend to those who know how to treat otherpeople right.” She has always been abeliever in the saying, “Everything happensfor a reason.”

A lover of sports, ,enjoys going to the gym and biking. Shegraduated BS Commerce (major inmanagement) at the Sorsogon AnnunciationCollege. Her working principle is to workhard, be friendly and to be able to get alongwell with her colleagues. She is assigned atthe Technology Commercialization Unit(TCU) as member of the administrative staff.

cum laude

(Rita T. dela Cruz)

Maylen D. Vilareal

Miriam J. Mella

BAR trains onion

growers on OPREMS

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR), incollaboration with

OPTISERVE Technologies, Inc.,conducted a training activity tofurther introduce and equip localonion growers and stakeholdersthrough the Onion ProductionResource Management System(OPREMS).

Julia A. Lapitan and InformationCommunication Technology (ICT)Staff Rueth T. Cabral, together with

CherylNatividad, spearheaded theStakeholders' Orientation and Users'Training

.OPREMS is a custom-

built software application developedfor the onion sector throughcommunity-based resourcemanagement system. It is designedprovide a unified informationsystem applicable for multi-stakeholder development projects ina cross-functional environment.

Specifically, OPREMSaims to develop and institutionalizean information-sensitivemanagement platform to encourageproactive participation of onionfarmers.

The team solicited inputsand information from the oniongrowers to be able to integrate thesedata in the current body ofknowledge in onion productionsystem for strategic decision-making.

The project aims toestablish a transaction-basedmonitoring and evaluation system inpilot areas: Nueva Ecija, IIocos Sur,Pangasinan, and Tarlac. The teamprovided workstation for SunggiamMulti-purpose Cooperative in IlocosSir and for the KASAMNE, afederation of onion growers based inNueva Ecija, for the implementationof OPREMS. (Ma. Eloisa E.Hernandez)

Management InformationSystems Division Assistant Head

Optiserve, Inc. CEO

on 13 February 2008 at theATI Training Center, Sta. Barbara,Pangasinan

photo courtesy of Dr. Witt

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BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

approach to growing corn in the Philippines

BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The official monthly publication of DA-BAR

NEWS

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FEATURE

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RITA T. DELA CRUZmanaging editor/layout

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhDRITA T. DELA CRUZ

MA. ELOISA E. HERNANDEZMIKO JAZMINE J. MOJICA

ELLAINE GRACE L. NAGPALAMAYLEN D. VILLAREAL

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 fisheries R&D.Italso highlights features and news articles concerning NaRDSAF-member institutions.

RICARDO G. BERNARDOANTONIO A. CONSTATINO

JULIA A. LAPITANVICTORIA G. RAMOS

reproduction/printing

circulation

MANUEL F. BONIFACIO, PhD

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhD

NICOMEDES P. ELEAZAR, CESO IV

editorial consultant

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

Corn is top performer in 2007;DA targets 94% sufficiency in 2008

Dr. Candido B. Damo of the GMA CornProgram reports on the situationer of thecorn sector during the Annual Corn R&DReview held at BAR.

Corn is one of the top performersin 2007 with its total outputreaching 6.7 million metric tons

(mt). This is 11 percent higher (6.1million mt) than the corn production in2006. Of this, 62 percent (or 4.2 millionmt) is yellow corn while the rest whitecorn.

Thus reported Dr. Candido B.Damo of the GMA Corn Program of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) at the“Annual Corn R&D Review andPlanning Workshop” on 7 February2008 at the 4/F RDMIC Bldg., Diliman,Quezon City. Dr. Damo attended inbehalf of DA Assistant Secretary forField Operations and concurrent GMACorn Program Coordinator Dennis B.Araullo.

Damo said that although DAmissed its target by three percent lastyear owing to dry spell that devastatedseveral corn growing areas in thecountry, the total performance of cornstill contributed a lot in its recordedyield.

He reported that the projectedlosses was considerably reducedthrough the “quick turnaround” (QTA)planting program of DA. The QTAprogram was implemented in almost100,000 hectares of arable land in non-affected farms in the Visayas andMindanao, contributing 200,000 mt ofcorn in this year's production.

“We performed well as werecorded respective increases in harvestarea and yield per hectare, thanks to thecontinued use of hybrid and qualityopen-pollinated variety (OPV) seedsand land expansion fueled by stable

corn prices,” Damo said.Currently, the corn sufficiency

level of the Philippines is at 88 percent(83 percent for yellow corn and morethan 100 percent for white corn).

Even with the sustained demandfor corn as animal feed ingredient, Dr.Damo explained that “we still import”.In fact, last year the country imported130,000 million mt. Also, it was reportedthat the demand for animal feeds in 2007increased by 100,000 mt from the 4.5million mt in 2006.

To achieve self-sufficiency inyellow corn, Dr. Damo said that theGMA Corn Program continues to supplythe increasing demand of the livestockand poultry sector and reduce cornimports in the near future. DA isimplementing various initiatives toimprove corn productivity, decreaseproduction and marketing costs, improvegrain quality and marketable yield.Damo said that the key here is for thecorn farmers to have “higher yield, lowerproduction and marketing costs, andminimal postharvest losses.”

For 2008, the GMA Cornprogram is targeting 7.4 million mt ofcorn. This is 9.3 percent higher (or700,000 mt) than that of 2007 output (6.7million mt). Pulling off this year's targetwill enable the country to attain 94percent sufficiency level in corn.

According to Dr. Damo, toachieve the target, there is a need todevelop additional 91,000 hectares andincrease the total yield by six percent.Another strategy is to hasten theconstruction of additional 15 postharvestprocessing and trading centers

nationwide which is part of the DA'seffort to reduce postharvest losses byeight percent.

In addition to these strategies,three special programs under the GMACorn Program will be implemented thisyear. These are: 1) Hunger MitigationProject; 2) Hybrid Corn ProductionEnhancement Project; and 3) Off-SeasonCorn Production Enhancement Project.

The program is also pressing foradditional funds to develop 75,000hectares of idle lands and produce extra750,000 mt of yellow corn andimplement intercropping on 100,000hectares of coconut lands for anadditional 200,000 mt of OPV whitecorn. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

Corn production systems varydepending on the agro-ecologicaland socioeconomic conditions of a

country.For the Philippines to identify

major production constraints in its corn-growing areas and develop means toovercome them, farmer must consider asite-specific approach and integratednutrient to crop management. Thisexplains why there is a need for the Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM)for Maize which Dr. Christian Witt,director of the Southeast Asia Program(SEAP) of the International PlantNutrition Institute (IPNI), explained at aseminar on SSNM at the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) on 8February 2008.

The seminar aimed to orient cornresearch, development, and extension(RDE) personnel in major corn-producingregions on the practical applications of theSSNM system and discuss its benefits anddifficulties and ultimately help improvecorn production in the country.

Although it is assumed that acrop's need for nutrient consists of apredetermined rate of N-P-K (nitrogen,phosphorus, potassium)which is constantover time and over large areas, its needsfor supplemental nutrients can varydepending on the crop-growingconditions, soil management, and climate.Thus, it is necessary that adjustment inapplying N-P-K is needed toaccommodate the field-specific needs of acrop.

In essence, this is what accordingto Dr. Witt is referred to as “feeding a cropwith nutrients as and when needed.” Thisis the fundamentality of the SSNMapproach.

This approach was firstdeveloped in Asian rice-producingcountries trying to teach farmers how tooptimally supply their crops with essentialnutrients.

Principles of SSNM

A site-specific and integrated nutrient

According to Dr. Witt, this typeof approach tries to equip corn farmers toactively adjust their fertilizer use andoptimally fill the deficit between thenutrient needs of a high-yielding crop andthe nutrient supply from naturallyoccurring indigenous sources such as soil,organic improvement, crop residues,manures, and irrigation water.

The SSNM approach does notspecifically aim to either reduce orincrease fertilizer use. Instead, it aims toapply nutrients at optimal rates and timesto achieve high yield and high efficiencyof nutrient use by the rice crop, leading tohigh cash value of the harvest per unit offertilizer invested.

According to Dr. Witt, there arefive steps towards SSNM. These are: 1)establish a yield target; 2) estimate actualyield responses to fertilizer N, P, and Kapplication; 3) select fertilizer N, P, Krates based on expected yield responses tofertilizer application consideringagronomic efficiencies and nutrientbalances; 4) apply fertilizer to meet thecrop demand for nutrients at criticalgrowth stages; and 5) optimize nutrientuse efficiencies.

The SEAP and InternationalPotash Institute (IPI), in collaboration withthe University of the Philippines LosBaños (UPLB), initiated a collaborativeresearch project on “Site-Specific NutrientManagement for Maize in the Philippines”(Phil-Corn) with pilot sites in Bukidnon,Isabela, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

The SEAP project, which has anintended duration of three years (2005-2007), is also being conducted in majorcorn-growing areas in Indonesia andVietnam.

The project is implementedthrough the UPLB Corn RDE Network,BAR, Philippine Rice Research Institute(PhilRice), Bureau of Soils and WaterManagement (BSWM), GMA CornProgram, and AFC Fertilizer andChemicals, Inc. (AFCI) in closepartnership with the private sector toensure wider scale delivery of projectresults.

Generally, the project aims toimprove the productivity and profitabilityof maize in major agro-ecological zones(AEZ) of the Philippines through site-specific, integrated nutrient and cropmanagement. Specific objectives include:1) quantify and understand the yield

The Phil-Corn project

potentialof maizeand existing yieldgaps in selected,major agroecological zonesthrough cropsimulationmodelling and on-farm research, 2)develop ascientificapproach andpractical tools forSSNM in keymaize productionsystems, and 3)evaluate theagronomic andeconomicperformance ofSSNM anddisseminate simplified SSNMrecommendations.

In his lecture, Dr. Witt presented theresults of the Phil-Corn project. “SSNM isready for wider scale evaluation,” he said.This is after SSNM for corn was developedand evaluated during the last four years ofresearch at 19 key corn production sites inIndonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam.

Throughout these years of research,it showed that this site-specific approachoffers significant opportunities for farmers toincrease productivity and profitability in anenvironmentally sound fashion, heconcluded.-----------Sources:1. Dr. Christian Witt's lecture on “Introduction to

Site-Specific Nutrient Management for Maize”presented at the SSNM for Maize in thePhilippinese Seminar on 8 February 2008,RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Avenue, Diliman,Quezon City, Philippines.

2. “Site-Specific Nutrient Management: EnablesRice Farmers to Optimally Supply their Cropwith Essential Nutrients”http://www.irri.org/irrc/ssnm/SSNM/aboutssnm.asp

3. “The principles of Site-Specific NutrientManagement for Maize” by Christian Witt andJulie Mae Pauquin of the International PlantNutrition Institute, IPNI, Southeast AsiaProgram. For more information, please sendthem an e-mail at: cwitt@ipni.net or

by Rita T. dela Cruz

Dr. Christian Witt lectureson SSNM at DA-BAR.

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photo courtesy of Dr. Witt

FEATURE NEWS

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The Australian Centre forInternational AgriculturalResearch (ACIAR) and

Department of Agriculture-Bureau ofAgricultural Research (DA-BAR) signeda Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)for the implementation of a jointresearch project. The MOA, signed byDr. Jeff Davis, research programmanager of ACIAR, represented byCountry Manager Cecilia O. Honrado,and BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar,binds the two entities to implement thestudy titled “Impact Assessment ofACIAR-Funded Research on PesticideUse and Grain Storage in thePhilippines.” The agreement was signedon 7 February 2008 at the RDMICBuilding, Visayas Avenue, Diliman,Quezon City.

The Impact Assessment Study(IAS) aims to assess the impacts of theseries of pesticide researches as follow-through of the earlier assessment studiesin the context of the guidelines on impactassessment developed by ACIAR.

Specifically, IAS hopes to: 1)document the process development ofthe pesticide admixture technology instored grain pest management; 2)quantify the inputs, outputs, outcomes,benefits, and other impacts of thetechnology on rice, corn, and legumes;3) analyze the impact pathway of theprojects in the concerned crops; 4)estimate the socioeconomic returns fromthe adoption of the pesticide admixturetechnology; and 5) formulate policyrecommendations on how to enhance theimpact of future ACIAR projects in thePhilippines.

ACIAR, being the leader in

ACIAR, BAR bind agreement to conductIAS on pesticide use and grain storage

detailed impact assessments undertakingsof its projects, has provided useful inputsin selecting, designing, and developingnew projects.

Consequentially for BAR, afunding and coordinating body foragriculture and fisheries R&D in thePhilippines, impact assessment studies arecrucial in demonstrating that all its R&Dendeavors are effective and their impactsare being felt at the ground level.

ACIAR has partnered with thePhilippines to integrate impact assessmentactivities into their accountabilities anddecision-making systems.

Four ACIAR-funded projectshave been identified for collaborativedevelopment on the use of pesticides andgrain storage in tropical areas of Australia,the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, andChina from 1983 to 1994.

For the Philippines, the projectswere implemented by the Bureau ofPostharvest Research and Extension(BPRE). These are: 1) Integrated Use of

Pesticides in Grain Storage in the HumidTropical Countries; 2) Kinetics of Decay ofCandidate Pesticides for Integrated PestControl Programs; 3) Integrated Use ofPesticides in Grain Storage in the HumidTropics; and 4) Increasing Efficiency of

Integrated Pest Control in Grain Storageand Minimizing Pesticide Residues by theUse of Mixtures of Grain Protectants.

Leading the project are Dr. SergioR. Francisco, program leader of the Impactand Policy Research Program-Socioeconomics Division of the PhilippineRice Research Institute (PhilRice); and Dr.Minda C. Mangabat, chief of the CropsStatistics Division of the Bureau ofAgricultural Statistics (BAS).

This IAS is funded by ACIARand jointly implemented by four researchagencies of the Philippine Agriculture,namely: BAR, PhilRice, BAS, andAgricultural Policy Credit Council. BAR isthe executing agency.

Also present during the MOAsigning were Dr. Carmencita V. Kagaoan,chief of Program Development Division(PDD); Ms. Salvacion M. Ritual, PDDassistant head; Mr. Joell H. Lales, PlanningUnit head; and Ms. Mariko M. Ramos,PDD technical staff member. (Rita T. delaCruz)

ACIAR Country Manager Cecilia O. Honrado(right) and BAR Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar (left) exchange copies of the signedMOA for the implementation of a projecttitled Impact Assessment of A CIAR-FundedResearch on Pesticide Use and GrainStorage in the Philippines. Looking on are(L-R): PDD Assistant Head Salvacion M.Ritual, PDD Chief Carmencita V. Kagaoan,Planning Unit Head Joell H. Lales, and PDDTechnical Staff Mariko M. Ramos.

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Farmers...from page 1

to selected farmer-beneficiaries.Implementers of the project

included the Department ofAgriculture-Regional Field Unit 3(DA-RFU 3), Central Luzon IntegratedAgricultural Research Center(CLIARC), and local government units(LGUs) of Zambales. The RamonMagsaysay Technological University(RMTU) was also tapped to promotethe sweet tamarind.

“The project has aroused theinterest of local executives on the

potentials of sweet tamarind. Majority ofthe municipalities in Zambales is planningto establish their respective scion grovesand to eventually venture into seedlingproduction for their local needs,” PACreported.

The commercialization of sweettamarind in Zambales was made possiblethrough the efforts of former SenatorRamon Magsaysay Jr. and PAC, withfunding support from the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR). (MikoJazmine J. Mojica)

The Department of Agriculture(DA) is promoting sweet sorghumas a viable energy source after a

study funded by the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) found thatsweet sorghum is one of the mostpromising sources of biofuel feedstock inthe Philippines.

Sweet sorghum (L.), a not-so-popular crop in the

Philippines, is ranked in the world as thetop five most important cereal next towheat, oats, corn, and barley.

According to the InternationalCrops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), sweet sorghumis a staple food crop of millions of poor insemi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia. It isalso an important fodder and feed crop.ICRISAT is likewise promoting thepotential of sweet sorghum as a cost-efficient source of biofuel.

In 2006, the Government ofIndia, through ICRISAT, turned over tothe Philippines seeds of sweet sorghumfor testing and use nationwide, if foundviable under Philippine conditions.

In the same year, BAR tappedthe International Society for SoutheastAsian Agricultural Sciences (ISAAS),Inc. led by Dr. Roberto F. Rañola Jr., toconduct a feasibility study on using sweetsorghum as feedstock. The study foundthat sweet sorghum is comparable if notbetter than sugarcane for ethanolproduction. The study was concludedprior to the enactment into law of theBiofuels Act (RA 9637) which requiresvehicle manufacturers and owners as wellas oil companies to use fuels diluted withsugar or starch-derived alcohol to reducethe country's dependence on importedfuel and promote cleaner air.

The feasibility study notedseveral advantages of growing sweetsorghum for biofuel.

First, it is drought-resistant andcan endure storms and flooding. Thisenables farmers to plant the crop even ifthey have low access to irrigation or thereare abrupt changes in climate and extremeweather disturbances in the Philippines.

Second, yield of bioethanol fromsweet sorghum is comparable to that ofsugarcane and better than cassava. Dr.Heraldo L. Layaoen, an agronomist andvice-president of the Mariano MarcosState University (MMSU) who is amember of the study team, said that thecost of producing a liter of ethanol fromsweet sorghum is lower than that from

Sorghumbicolour

“Smart” crop backed by research

by Miko Jazmine J. Mojica

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sugarcane molasses. This is because sweetsorghum is sweeter, having 23 percent sugarcontent as compared to sugarcane's 14percent.

Moreover, since planting season ofsweet sorghum is only three to four months,it can be grown for two cycles in a year andcan serve as secondary crop for rice.According to the feasibility study, tests atthe MMSU have shown that sweet sorghumcan produce 43-65 tons of stalks and 3.28-4.4 tons of grain per hectare.

“Both grain and stalks can be usedas feedstock for bioethanol production andsold at reasonable prices,” the study stated.

Dr. Layaoen also said that onehectare planted to sweet sorghum will yield95-125 tons after a planting season of onlythree to four months (100-115 days)compared to sugarcane's 65-90 t/ha afteralmost one year of cropping season (300-330 days).

Third, the feedstock cost for thedistillery from sweet sorghum only rangesfrom P12.55 to P14.07 per liter ofbioethanol, which is lower than thefeedstock costs of sugarcane, cassava, corn,and molasses.

Fourth, sweet sorghum is a cheaperand more reliable source of feedstock andbioethanol fuel for consumers.

“Blending ethanol with gasolineimproves mileage as well as reduces toxicemissions. Ethanol blended with gasolinecan be sold at retail at a lower pricecompared to unleaded gasoline,” the studystressed.

Lastly, the study affirmed thatbiofuels have a huge captive market in thePhilippines, a factor that will attractinvestors to enter the business of bioethanolprocessing. As mandated by the Biofuels Act(RA 9637), at least 20 bioethanol plants areneeded to meet the requirement of an E10(10 percent ethanol and 90 percent unleadedgasoline) blend by 2010.

“The country will benefit fromadditional jobs created, foreign exchangesavings, and a cleaner environment with thepromotion of ethanol as fuel. Sweetsorghum promises to provide a cheap andreliable source of bioethanol,” the studyconcluded.

As a member of the PhilippineBiofuel Board (PBB) created through theBiofuels Law, the DA is mandated todevelop, implement, and monitor thegovernment's biofuel production andutilization technology programs.

As early as 2005, BAR and throughits National Technology Commercialization

Commercialization of sweet sorghum

Program (NTCP) has supported the researchand development (R&D) and initialproduction of sweet sorghum in the Ilocosthrough MMSU. The project on commercialproduction of sweet sorghum was conductedin several areas in Regions 1, 2, 3, andCordillera Administrative Region (CAR),Negros Occidental, Capiz, Bohol, North andSouth Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Bukidnon,Zamboanga, and Davao.

Results of the study showed that ofthe eight sweet sorghum varieties introducedby ICRISAT through DA-BAR, five areadaptable to local conditions, namely: SPV-422, NTJ-2, ICSR-93034, ICSV-700, andICSV-93046.

In the Bicol region, through acollaborative undertaking of BAR, MMSU,and the Bicol Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (BIARC), the region-widecommercialization of sweet sorghumincludes the development of village-leveltechnologies such as pops from its kernelsand macaroons as well as the production ofmolasses and organic fertilizer.

As a source of food, sweet sorghumcan be processed into products such assyrup, jaggery (a kind of molasses), vinegar,wine, flour, cookies, and pop sorghumkernels (similar to popcorn).

BAR, under the leadership of BARDirector Nicomedes P. Eleazar, is at theforefront of the commercialization of sweetsorghum for wide-scale production and useas food, feed, and fuel.

Currently, BAR is activelypromoting and fundingprograms and project on sweet sorghum allover the country and is coordinating withother government agencies and private sectorto maximize the potential of sweet sorghumin the Philippines.

BAR is mandated to coordinate andfund agricultural research and developmentactivities, develop partnerships with localand international research organizations,strengthen institutional capabilities, manageknowledge, and advocate policies towardsimproved governance and progressiveagricultural and fishery sector.

photo courtesy of MMSU

NEWS NEWS

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Asec Salacup keynotes techno forum for Mindanao cluster

SMIARC evaluates rubber dev’tprogram for Southern Mindanao

The established Marilog Research Outreach Station located at the DA Stockfarm,Marahan, Marilog, Davao City serves as the new site for the rubber RDE progject inrubber for Southern Mindanao.

The Southern Mindanao IntegratedAgricultural Research Center(SMIARC),

conducted a project visitationand field evaluation on 30 January- 2February 2008.

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR), being the lead institutionin strengthening, consolidating, anddeveloping the agriculture and fisheriesR&D system, served as the funding agencyfor the program situated at the newlyestablished Research Outreach Station atthe DA Stockfarm, Marahan, Marilog,Davao City. BAR was represented in theactivity by Research Coordination Division(RCD) Assistant Head Rolando V. Kintanaand Technology Commercialization Unit(TCU) Coordinator Rodolfo L. Galang.

The BAR staff, together withAlfredo M. Cayabyab,

under the Departmentof Agriculture Region XI RubberDevelopment Program for SouthernMindanao,

SMIARC Manager

Dr. Romulo Cena of the University ofSouthern Mindanao (USM), a rubberexpert, and other regional staff workers,inspected the various projects at thestation.

Under Phase I, five componentswere evaluated based on theiraccomplishments in 2007. These are:rubber budwood garden, rubber nursery,technology demonstration (RBFS),adaptability trial, and the production ofinformation, education andcommunication (IEC) materials.

For Phase 2, it was proposed toconduct similar evaluation of projectcomponents per province as compared tothe first implementation on the station.

Results showed that the rubberbudwood garden were alreadyestablished in 900 hills (three clones at300 plants per clone). The rubbernursery contained 3,000 seedlings readyfor budding. Only 350 rubber seedlings

were successfully budded owing to thedistance of the budwood source. Therubber plants intercropped with bananas,lanzones, mangosteen, corn, and eggplantswere already in place. Canals, terraces,and boundaries have been established.This is part of the rubber demonstrationprogram. Also, Region XI conductedrubber consultation with the provincial andmunicipal local government units (LGUs)in Southern Mindanao and rubberinvestment forum, among other things.

After the ocular inspection, Mr.Cayabyab briefed the group on thestation's activities and accomplishments.He highlighted BAR and the High-ValueCommercial Crops (HVCC) financialassistance to the projects. In response, Dr.Kintana said “this area holds a vastpotential to develop the rubber industrywhich is fastrising, high-incomegenerating with great demand in the worldmarket. The SMIARC project ispioneering and it offers a timely support tothe industry in Region XI.”

Recently, rubber has beenincluded in the list of priority crops underthe DA's HVCC Program. In a surveyconducted by the USM with rubberstakeholders, 85 percent weresmallholders. According to USM, rubberstands out as a commercial crop in thePhilippines because it is highly profitable,versatile, sustainable, and environment-friendly.

As part of its initiatives, DA haslaunched the National RubberDevelopment Program (NRDP) togradually increase the country's rubberplantations to one million hectares. TheNRDP runs parallel to the DA prioritythrusts. These include developing of newlands for agribusiness undertakings,opportune time to respond to increasingsupply and demand gap, and creating newjobs and correcting balance of tradethrough exports. (Ma. Eloisa E.Hernandez)

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The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) is supportingthe programs of

and its partnerinstitutions to boost the development ofrubber plantations nationwide.

The bureau is part of an inter-agency collaboration that initiated the10-year National Rubber DevelopmentProgram (NRDP) which aims to positionthe Philippines as the fourth biggestplayer in the world natural rubberindustry by 2016.

the Departmentof Agriculture (DA)

RP boosts rubber production through NRDPRubber, a cash crop among the

agro-industrial commodities in thecountry, has been identified by the DA asa high-value commercial crop and couldkeep pace, if not overtake, the productionof its neighbor rubber-producingcountries dominated by Malaysia.

Currently, the Mindanao regionis the major producer of rubber with84,461 hectares. Zamboanga Sibugay hasthe largest area planted to rubber trees,followed by the provinces of NorthCotabato and Basilan.

Based on suitability mapsgenerated by BAR using thegeographic information system (GIS),rubber can be planted not only inMindanao but also in various provincesof Luzon and Visayas.

Based on the surveyconducted by the University ofSouthern Mindanao (USM), the rubbersmallholders comprise 85 percent ofrubber tree production in thePhilippines.

BAR has so far funded at least

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The importance of indigenous plants forhealth and wellness was presented in a

seminar series during the 7 PhilippineFood Expo at the Megatrade Hall, SMMegamall, Mandaluyong City on 1 February2008. This also served as the Bureau ofAgricultural Research’s (BAR) participationto the activity.

Dr. Lourdes Cardenas and Dr.Evelyn Rodriguez, professors at theUniversity of the Philippines Los Baños,served as the resource speakers for the event.

The “Indigenous Plants for Healthand Wellness” is a program launched by BARin line with the celebration of the Health andWellness Tourism month in October 2007. Itaims to promote indigenous plants asfunctional foods that have a health-promotingand disease-preventing property.

Sponsored by the Philippine FoodProcessors and Exporters' Organization(Philfoodex), the food exposition wasorganized to help local manufacturers andprocessors showcase their products bybringing in together the small- and large-scaleplayers in the food industry. Philfoodex is thecountry's biggest umbrella organization oflocal food processors and exporters.

This year's exposition highlightedregional food products from Luzon, Visayas,Mindanao, and Metro Manila and participatedin by around 200 exhibitors from 31 Januaryto 3 February 2008. The Department ofAgriculture, together with its regional fieldunits, also participated as exhibitors in theevent.

th

(Ellaine Grace L. Nagpala)

CPAR FISHERIES WORKSHOP CONDUCTED

After several terrestrialagricultural research anddevelopment programs, we also

need to strengthen our efforts to supportfisheries research and development,”Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar stressedat the recently concluded Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) ExecutiveCommittee Meeting.

To do this, Director Eleazarapproved the conduct of FisheriesCommunity-based Initiative (CBI)Workshop that would support theimplementation of Community-basedParticipatory Action Research (CPAR) -Fisheries in the regions.

The workshop was conductedon 27-29 February 2008 specifically forthe technical staff of the regional fieldoffices of the Bureau of Fisheries andAquatic Research (BFAR) through theRegional Fisheries Research andDevelopment Centers (RFRDCs).

It aimed to enhance the skillsand provide the latest information onfishery community-based strategies aswell as sharing of experiences andlessons learned in the implementation offisheries R&D activities by theparticipants. Furthermore, the workshoptackled the dynamic CPAR Fisheriesframework, including Participatory Rural

Appraisal (PRA), to be more responsiveand appropriate in community actionplanning and community developmentactivities.

During the workshop, theparticipants were exposed to severalPRA tools and methods to assesscommunity resources, identify gaps andconcerns, and formulation of regionalcommunity-based participatoryresearch and development plans andprograms. Like the regular CPAR forAgriculture, all fishery programs willaddress the use and application ofviable technologies for increasedproduction and profit at the same timemaking all fishery communitiesinformation-sensitive and output-oriented.

As part of the workshopoutputs, the participants prepared theirplan of action for the conduct of fisheryPRA and utilization of community-based initiative strategies. Based onthis, BAR's efforts to make its programsattuned to localizing A/F developmentare assured and strengthened because ofpartnerships among BFAR, localgovernment units, fishing communitiesand organizations, state universities andcolleges, and fisherfolk. (

).Marlowe U.

Aquino, PhD

BAR participates in 7Philippine Food Expo

th

Natividad introduced to the participantsthe strategies and mechanics to be used inmonitoring and evaluating all CPARprojects through the FARMS.

The is an ICT-based system that enhances and supportsthe monitoring and evaluation of CPARprojects for better technology refinementand systematic processing of communityinformation and stakeholdercharacterization for appropriate and timelydecision-making for agriculture andfisheries policies on research anddevelopment, agribusiness, and marketing.It provides local entrepreneurs, importers,and exporters a system to locate specificinformation on where they can buyseedlings and assists them in decisionmaking.

BAR Technical Adviser forKnowledge Management Manuel F.Bonifacio gave the highlights of the

e-Pinoye-Pinoy FARMS

BAR convenes...from page 7 programs as he averred that “CPAR isnow the model of the modernagriculture.” He emphasized that with thenew means of managing the systemthrough the integration of a time-boundexchange of information from CPAR andknowledge from farmers based on validsolid information, this inevitably will leadto the achievement of expected output.

Other presentations during theone-day activity included: updates on the

“Bio-Organic Fertilization ProductionProgram” presented by Agro-Forestry CropSystems Inc. (AFCSI) President Rene T.Naguiat; and “Introduction of new productson enhancing organic crop productionthrough nanotechnology” reported byPlanters Products, Inc. Marketing ResearcherAllan L. Aquino.

After the presentations, a forumwas conducted to facilitate the identificationof other issues and concerns. (Maylen D.Villareal and Rita T. dela Cruz)

Participants of the CPAR Leveling-off meeting held at BAR. photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

“

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC8 BAR hronicleC 5

photo courtesy of RFU III

Indigenous...from page 1

Possible areas for research anddevelopment (R&D) on indigenousplants were identified in a meeting

with a group of experts of threegovernment and private entities held on 8February 2008 at the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) RDMICbuilding, Visayas Avenue in Diliman,Quezon City.

The experts were from the

Researchable areas on indigenous plants discussed

Department of Agriculture-Bureau of PlantIndustry (DA-BPI), University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB), and SpaAssociation of the Philippines, Inc. (SAPI).

Spearheaded by BAR, the meetingwas a take-off from the “Indigenous Plantsfor Health and Wellness RDE Program”launched in 2007 to promote the utilizationof indigenous plants as functional foods andsource of raw materials for nutraceuticals,

pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.During the meeting, areas

identified for R&D were focused onindigenous plants that have high potentialsin promoting health and wellness. Thedevelopment of natural products fornutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals is alsoeyed. Moreover, the improvement of thepackaging quality of natural products wasidentified.

SAPI president MarjorieLopingco said that the government's thrustsare heading towards the right directionsince indigenous plant materials are the“in” thing today, which are promoted byspas and other groups in the private sector.

SAPI is a non-profit organizationestablished in April 2004 to promote anddevelop the spa industry in the Philippines.Its mission is to put forward the Filipinobrand of SPA as it highlights the country'sunique qualities in SPA treatments,experience, arts, and culture. (EllaineGrace L. Nagpala)

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The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) convened on 5February 2008 the key officials

of the National Center of Excellence ofthe various state university andcolleges (SUCs) in agriculture andfisheries to discuss R&D priorityprojects to be funded by the bureau in2008. The activity was held at theBAR RDMIC building, VisayasAvenue in Diliman, Quezon City.

BAR is the lead agencymandated to coordinate and fund R&Dactivities for the development ofagriculture and fisheries sector. In thisregard, SUCs are being tapped toconduct research and development(R&D) and its significant results to beused by farmers and fisherfolk toimprove their production.

BAR Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar, who presided the meeting,presented the bureau's directions andprograms for 2008. Director Eleazarspecifically elaborated on thealignment of the programs of BARwith that of the five priorities of theConsultative Group on InternationalAgricultural Research (CGIAR) andthe move towards the revitalization ofagriculture and fisheries in the country.Meanwhile, Planning Unit Head Joell

H. Lales presented the R&D agenda andprograms for 2006-2010.

Eleazar encouraged theparticipants to submit proposals for basicand applied researches, particularly onproduct development, biotechnology,biofuels, indigenous plants, and policystudies. He said that the proposals to besubmitted must be aligned with thepriority commodities identified by theDepartment of Agriculture.

Present in the meeting were Dr.

Enrico P. Supangco, vice chancellor forRDE of the University of the PhilippinesLos Baños (UPLB); Dr. Luis G. Sison, vicechancellor for R&D of UP Diliman (UPD);Dr. Ma. Lourdes SD. McGlone, director ofthe UP-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI);Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, president of theVisayas State University (VSU); Dr.Othello Capuno, vice president forResearch and Extension of VSU; Dr. GlennD. Aguilar, chancellor of UP Visayas; Dr.Eugenio A. Alcala, vice president for RDEof the University of Southern Mindanao(USM); and Dr. Teotimo Aganon, vicepresident for Research, Extension andTraining of the Central Luzon StateUniversity (CLSU). (Ellaine Grace L.Nagpala)

BAR meets with SUCs to discussR&D priority projects for 2008

BAR holds a meeting with the key officials of State University and Colleges (SUCs)regarding the priority projects to be funded by the bureau in 2008. Present in themeeting were Dr. Enrico P. Supangco (UPLB), Dr. Luis G. Sison (UPD), Dr. Ma. Lourdes SD.McGlone (UPMSI), Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo (VSU), Dr. Othello Capuno (VSU), Dr. Glenn D.Aguilar (UPV), Dr. Eugenio A. Alcala (USM) and Dr. Teotimo Aganon (CLSU).

photo by ELLAINE NAGPALA

TheBureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) on Community-based

Participatory Action Research (CPAR)kicked off through the Participatory RapidAppraisal (PRA) in Sibulan, NegrosOriental on 11-15 February 2008. Thisactivity was spearheaded by theDepartment of Agriculture-CentralVisayas Integrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (DA-CENVIARC) andparticipated in by the agriculture offices ofthe provincial and municipal governmentunits.

PRA is a localized strategy usedto assess community resources andgenerate relevant information needed inthe formulation of community-basedplans, particularly for the agriculturesector. It emphasizes the stronginvolvement of the community and peoplein the identification and evaluation ofcommunity resources, activities, andissues and concerns related to productionmanagement systems, and provision ofcommunity services. These were obtainedthrough the use of several PRA tools inthe pilot barangays of Magatas andCalabnugan in Sibulan.

The appraisal was participated inby DA-CENVIARC technical staff,agriculture officers, agriculturaltechnicians, staff members of theprovincial technical institutes, andbarangay officers, farmers, and concernedgroups of the community.

Similar PRA activities will beconducted in the provinces of Cebu,Bohol, and Siquijor. The output of PRA is

coordinated program of the

Nationwide PRA kicks off in Negros Oriental

a community-basedplan and a CPARproject that willshowcase and refineagriculturaltechnologies forincreased productionand profit.

During thePRA, Sibulan MayorAntonio Reniciasignified his fullsupport to the CPARproject and promisedto provide additionalresources and servicesto make the CPARproject in his town asuccess.

Excitement and enthusiasmoverwhelmed the members of themunicipal government and agreed to usethe strategies and follow its process as partof their development planning to improveand develop the agriculture and fisherycommunities.

Mayor Renicia emphasized theneed for hillyland development andpractice of contour farming. He pointedout that this can be demonstrated with thepriority commodities to improve the areaduring the actual community planning andprogramming.

Based on the results of the PRA,the municipality is now ready to formulateits CPAR project that will address theimmediate agricultural concerns.Interventions will be identified and

implemented by the community members.The CPAR project is supported

by BAR with some financial support andcost-sharing scheme with the DA-Regional Field Unit, local governmentunits, non-government organizations, andfarmers.

BAR's support for the conduct ofPRA will properly address the identifiedneeds, gaps and issues necessary for aholistic community development plan.

Other regions are now schedulingtheir specific PRA activities as part of awell-defined, participative, andcoordinated community planning andprogramming highlighting CPAR as adevelopment modality to institutionalizeinformation driven agriculture and makefarmers information-sensitive and output-oriented. ( )Marlowe U. Aquino, Ph.D

Rain or shine, the PRA team conducts village mapping for thebio-physical characteristics of Brgys. Magatas andCalabnugan.

photo by MARLOWE AQUINO

non-stock, non-profit, non-governmentorganization which BAR has enteredinto partnership with the localgovernment units (LGUs) of Aklan. Theoffices of Aklan led by Governor CarlitoS. Marquez and Libacao Mayor CharitoI. Navarosa are also supporting theproject by providing counterpartfunding.

This public-private partnershipis expected to develop sustainablefarming system for abaca production inAklan. “The current situation is this: thefarmers consider abaca as a tertiary cropsince it is not planted systematically as itgrows where is, as is. They only harvestabaca fiber when they need extraincome,”

Rica CortesProject Leader and Director of

SATRE Foundation

Rentzing said.During the site validation and

pre-implementation conferenceconducted by BAR and SATRE, farmer-technicians and representatives fromLGU and Fiber Industry andDevelopment Authority (FIDA)

gathered to discuss the objectives andcomponents of the project.

The project will form abacaclusters in the three barangays bygrouping: 10 farmer-cooperators, 2farmer-scientists, 1 farmer-entrepreneur,and 1 farmer-technician to supervise thetechno demo farms.

The representatives from FIDAnoted that although Region VI is notknown for its abaca and only contributesa miniscule portion of abaca production

RegionVI

in the country, 70-80 percent of Aklan'sproduce comes from Libacao.

At least five varieties of abacaplanted and harvested in Libacao wereidentified by the farmer-technicianssuch as Tabukanon, Totoo, Bisaya,Negro, and Hagbayanon. FIDArepresentatives attested that the abacaplants from Libacao are all disease-freeand thus produce high-quality fibers.

The farmer-technicians,together with a team from FIDA andthe representatives from the LGU ofLibacao, are set to identify and comeup with a final list of farmer-cooperators for each barangay by theend of February. The orientation of thefarmer-cooperators is set in the middleof March. (Miko Jazmine J. Mojica)

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC6 BAR hronicleC 7

BAR convenes regions for CPAR leveling-off meeting

The Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) held a leveling-off meetingon the Community–based

Participatory Action Research Program(CPAR) with the managers of the RegionalIntegrated Agricultural Research Center(RIARC) and Regional Fisheries Researchand Development Center (RFRDC) on 6February 2008 at the BAR's RDMICbuilding, Visayas Avenue in Diliman,Quezon City.

The meeting, spearheaded byBAR's Research Coordination Division(RCD), was set to have a commonunderstanding of CPAR and present to theparticipants the current issues in the worldagriculture vis-à-vis the priorities andprograms of the Department of Agriculture(DA).

BAR Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar presented the “CGIAR SystemPriorities for 2005-2015” to provide theregions a world view of its currentstrategies and priorities, particularly on theissues of world poverty and foodadequacy. BAR, being the solerepresentative of Philippine agriculture inCGIAR, must align its priorities andprograms with those of the Group.

Eleazar also discussed“Revitalizing Agriculture/Fisheries (A/F)in the Philippines” which was originallypresented by Albay Governor JoseClemente “Joey” Sarte Salceda tosubstantiate the importance of R&D in theagriculture sector and why there is a needto increase its budget.

He likewise tackled “BAR’sMajor Programs for 2008 and Beyond” toserve as guidelines for the regions in theirCPAR proposals and provide tighter focusin setting their regional priorities.

In his message, Eleazar instructedthe regions that CPAR implementation

should be incollaboration withthe localgovernment units(LGUs) to makethem aware andinvolve them in theprojects that arebeing implementedin their respectiveareas. He said thatsocial participationwith the LGUs isneeded to intensifyCPAR programs.The ProvincialOffice mustprovide farmtrainings andleadership skills tosustain projects onfarming activities.

Meanwhile, RCD Head Tito Z.Arevalo introduced the new coordinatorswho will work hand in hand with theRIARC/RFRDC managers, namely: JojeeH. Lales (Regions 2 and 3); Amavel A.Velasco (Region IV-A); and Jonas BrianC. Almendrala (Regions 10 and 12).

Planning Unit Head Joell H.Lales presented the Research,Development and Extension Agenda andPrograms (RDEAP) for 2006-2010focusing on the bureau's major programsand priority areas of concern. These are:1) intensification of CPAR; 2)commercialization of appropriatetechnologies; 3) establishment ofAgribusiness Development Projects(ADPs) in RIARCs and other R&Dstation; 4) support to basic and strategicresearch; 5) Integrated PropertyManagement; 6) Human ResourceDevelopment Program; 7) R&D FacilitiesDevelopment Program; 8) Knowledge

Products andServices Program;and 9) InformationCommunicationTechnologyProgram.

In hispresentation, Lalesreported that as of2007, the Bureauhad funded 25CPAR projectsfrom which 16were alreadycompleted andhave been turnedover to LGUs.

For2008, BAR is

targeting 53 CPAR projects to beimplemented in 16 regions and expand itsimplementation to cover 400 new additionalsites. For ADPs, the bureau targets 28projects sites to be implemented this year.

An overview of the CPAR programwas presented by Arevalo including itshistory, functions, status in the 10 poorestprovinces, and plans for 2008. It wasexplained that communities must be properlycharacterized based on the prioritycommodities in the region and the needs ofthe farmers in the area. This is for bettermanagement of the CPAR in the regions.

Arevalo added that stakeholders inthe community must be well represented inthe project and production managementsystem must be organized. He suggested thata bottom-up approach during consultationand action planning must be espoused andthe problems and needs of stakeholders,particularly the farmers and fisherfolk, mustbe properly identified.

Based on the status report presentedby Arevalo, in 2005, performance of selectedregions with CPAR sites averaged a netincrease in income of 45.30 percent. As of 31December 2007, the number of barangaysites increased to 233 in 102 municipalitiesof 58 provinces of all regions. Farmer-cooperators of CPAR have gone up to 2,280benefiting the other 844 technology adopters.

Program Development DivisionChief Carmencita V. Kagaoan gave thedetails of the modified CPAR guidelines, itsbasic requirements, and items eligible forBAR support. This is to guide the regions onthe CPAR proposals that they will submit tothe bureau for evaluation.

Management Information SystemsDivision Head Marlowe U. Aquino andOptiserve Technologies, Inc. CEO Cheryl

An overview of the CPAR program is presented by RCD Head TitoZ. Arevalo (left) including its history, functions, status in 10 thepoorest provinces, and plans for 2008.

BAR holds a leveling-off meeting on CPAR to set a commonunderstanding and provide participants on the current issues inworld agriculture vis-à-vis the local priorities and programs of DA.BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar (left) leads the one-day activity;with him in the photo are: RCD Head Tito Z. Arevalo (middle) andPU Head Joell H. Lales (right).

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The Department of Agriculture(DA) is tapping experts from theagribusiness and information

technology sectors to help the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) inlaunching an electronic system that willequip stakeholders in farm and fisheriessector with knowledge tools to producehigher yields and earn more profits,particularly in research and development(R&D).

In a report to AgricultureSecretary Arthur Yap, BAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar said that thisinnovative development strategy, dubbed

, intends to unify the deliveryof accurate information to researchers,farmers, fisherfolk, and otherstakeholders so that they can apply andboost the business aspect of Philippineagriculture.

stand for“

.”“Our bureau will be tapping

experts in the field of informationcommunication and technology,community development, agribusinessand marketing, and developmentmanagement to support and makeagriculture and fisheries part of our dailyactivity with emphasis on effective andefficient R&D management,” Eleazarsaid.

According to the BAR Director,projects covered by will focuson the goals, vision, and mission of thedevelopment strategy highlightingagriculture as a business.

“Communities will have a sharein this initiative by making agriculturerelevant to livelihood activities be it on

e-AgriteK

e-AgriteK

e-AgriteK

Kagalingan sa Agrikultura tungo saKabuhayan, Kasaganaan at Kaunlaran

DA taps agribiz and IT experts to launch e-AgriteKcrops, livestock and poultry, fisheries,product development and processing, andmost especially in community progress.”he added.

Yap said that this BAR projectcomplements DA's five-pillar program,particularly on: increasing publicspending on R&D and extension work,along with irrigation and otherinfrastructure and postharvest facilities;provide more credit facilities in thecountryside; and open more markets forPhilippine farm produce here andoverseas.

Yap noted that the goal of theproject is to encourage stakeholders touse information available to them through

and develop a more profitable,modern, and globally competitiveagriculture sector. He said that DA cantruly realize its goal by organizing andsystematizing agriculture and fisheriesinformation and knowledge for optimalapplication, use, and exchange amongusers and partners.

Eleazar said that the four majorcomponents necessary to carry out the

are: 1) preparation ofinformation and knowledge products,their dissemination and management; 2)enhancement of community-basedknowledge systems; 3) expansion of the

FARMS and development ofcommodity production resourcemanagement system (C-PREMS); and 4)strengthening and maintenance of e-Partnerships for agriculture and fisheriesdevelopment.

The bureau director said thatFARMS involves Regions 1, 5, and

9 as pilot regions and will expand to otherregions for use and application of

e-AgriteK

e-AgriteK

e-Pinoy

e-Pinoy

community-based projects nationwide. C-PREMS covers prioritized high-valuecommercial crops such as fruits (mango,pineapple, banana), vegetable (chopsueycrops, crops, and salad crops),rootcrops (potato, sweet potato andcassava), rubber, and abaca. It will alsocover livestock and poultry, includingdairy products.

will be implementednationwide with institutional assistanceand support from the Agribusiness andMarketing Assistance Service (AMAS),Information Technology Center forAgriculture and Fisheries (ITCAF), andAgricultural Training Institute (ATI).

Member-institutions of theNational Research and DevelopmentSystem for Agriculture and Fisheries(NaRDSAF), including state universitiesand colleges (SUCs), non-governmentorganizations, and the private sector, willbe tapped to help ensure the success of the

program.

pinakbet

(Marlowe U. Aquino,PhD)

e-AgriteK

e-AgriteK

photoby RITA DELA CRUZ

eight projects devoted to research anddevelopment and commercialization ofrubber tree production and harvestingall over the country.

The research centers of DA'sRegional Field Units are currentlytesting the suitability and productivityof planting the recommended rubberclones in Palawan, Quezon, Pampanga,Tarlac, and Zambales. In Mindanao,North Cotabato and Davao also benefitfrom the rubber projects supported byBAR.

The bureau has funded theestablishment of budwood gardens,nurseries, and technologydemonstration farms for the

RP boosts...from page 4

recommended rubber clones, namely:RRIM 600 (Rb-99-01), RRIM 712,RRIM 901, PB 217 (Rb 99-04), PB 235(Rb 99-02), PB 260, USM 1 (Rb 99-03), PB 311, and RRIM 628.

As part of the implementationplan of the NRDP, BAR will alsosupport the characterization andevaluation of existing rubber clones,including hybridization to improve anddevelop new rubber clones.

For 2008, the agency islooking at the possiblecommercialization of tissue culturetechniques for the rapid propagation ofrubber seedlings and the promotion ofrubber technologies and its

commercialization in Rizal and Laguna.The DA launched NRDP in

2006 together with BAR, AgriculturalCredit Policy Council (ACPC),Agribusiness and Marketing AssistanceService (AMAS), Bureau of PlantIndustry (BPI), Bureau of Soils andWater Management (BSWM), FieldOperation Service (FOS), High-ValueCommercial Crops (HVCC) Program,National Agribusiness Corporation(NABCOR), National Agricultural andFishery Council (NAFC), and ZNACRubber Estate Corporation (ZREC), incollaboration with the provincialgovernment of North Cotabato. (MikoJazmine J. Mojica)

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ