BARBUREAU OFAGRICULTURALRESEARCH 2003 Gawad Oscar

Florondo AMrdee forOubtanding lnlorhationT@lfor Priht

Vol. 6 No.8 A monthly publication AUGUST 2OO5

Philippines to hostsimultaneousASEAN ministers

Secrctary Panganibanlauds BAR prcgrams

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DA Secretary Domingo Fl Panganiban delivers his keyrcte address during the opening program.

epartment of AgricultureSecretary Domingo F.

Panganiban helped usher inthe Bureau ofAgriculhual Research(BAR) to its I 8th year of existence,which BAR Director Nicomedes P.

Eleazar called "an achievement on itsown".

Secretary Panganiban gave

the Bureau a pat in the back byacknowledging the technologiesgenerated through research, that he says

would be changing the lives of the

farming communities and the commonconsumers of the country.

"Among these technologiesthat you can truly be proud of are the

SNAP hydroponics, which I heard uses

passive aeration and cheap materials,the virus-free planting materials, and

the silica-gel component in rice hull,

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the coconut methyl ester as petro-dieselquality enhancer, and my favorite, thevirgin coconut oil," Panganibanremarked.

He also expressed satisfactionwith the direction the Bweau has

assumed through the NationalTechnology Commercialization Program,

and the efforts BAR has put ondeveloping its Agritech Online, and onthe launching of the training manuals ongeographic information systems.

" Saludo po ako sa proyektongito dahil kailangang sumabay tayo sa

takbo ng panahon at lundag ngteknolohiya," he stressed.

On the GIS training manual, he

said, "I am happy to hear that thistechnology can be used for mappingdisease outbreaks, or for matching

see Panganiban...page 2

mtgs in Tagaytaygriculture and forestryministers of the l0member-countries of the

Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) and ministers ofJapan, China, and South Korea willhold a week-long simultaneousmeetings to discuss regional andglobal economic developments inthe food, agriculture, and forestrysectors.

The Philippines, throughthe Deparhnent of Agriculture (DA),will host the27'h Senior OfficialsMeeting (SOM) of theASEANMinisters on Agriculture andForestry (AMAF) that will be heldsimultaneously with the 5s SOM-AMAF Plus Three Meeting(including the three northeast Asiancountries China, Japan and SouthKorea) and the AMAF Plus Threeon 26 - 30 September 2005 inTagaytay City.

In preparation for themeetings, the DA created variouscommittees and working groups and

see Philippines...page 8

IN THIS ISSUE

Secretary Pangiliban graces BAR ... 1

1

3

4

5

b

7

o

910

10

to host simultaneous..

NTCP fast tracks lechnology...

G I S/RS manual, Agritech...

BAR as R&D bureau sets lo ...

I'tew com vaiety wilh insect...

Mindanao vegetable stakeholders...

A lirst of a kind of farmers' . . .

Gtowing potato without &i1...

BAR dircctor and staff visit...

PCA celebrates 19lh Coco Week-..

EDITORIAL

II

This issuehis month, we are rightfullybringing back BAR's

I anniversary celebration to itsoriginal date after celebrating it inOctober for the past six years along withthe annual National ResearchSymposium (NRS). Although BAR wasestablished on 27 JuIy 1987, itsanniversary, by tradition, is celebratedon the Jirst week of August There aretwo reasons: BAR started operations inthe ftrst week ofAugust 1987 and,because Dn l{illian D. Dar, theftrstdirector of BAR had the habit of startinghis new job during the start of themonth. Call it superstitious or whateverbut that's a bit of ttiviafor yoa.

Panganibdtt...from page Itechnologies for commercialization withthe areas across the country that needthese technologies most."

Sec. Panganiban, however, didnot fail to point out the rest of what needs

to be done, especially in linkingresearches with those who will benefitfrom them. He said that there should beno question as to whether we can comeup with the technologies we need. Heexpressed the belief that the R&Dcommunity could do that.

"The basic question is: whetherthese technologies are accepted or usedby our farmers and fishers?" he stressed.

A monhly publication oftheBureau otAgricultuEl ResearchRDMIC BIdg., Visayas Ave. @rElliptical RoadDiliman, Quezon City 1'104

Editorial ditection.' Alvin V. Divinagracia, Ph.D.Managing editor/Layout: Rita T. dela CruzStatf wribrs: Ma. Lizbeth J. Barona, Rita T. dela Cruz, and MikoJazmine J. MojicaContributing wri6r: Angela E. Obnial and Rudyard R. RoxasPrint manager: Ricardo G. BernardoCirculation: JuliaA. Lapiian and Victoria G. RamosEdltorial consulfanf Virginia A. Duldulao, Ph.D.Advlser: Dir. Nicomedes P.Eleazar, CESO lV

For subscription and questions, contact the:Applied Communication Section3/F RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave.,cor. Elliptical, Rd. Diliman, Q.C. Tel.no. 928-8505 local 2043

i or e-mail at misd-acs@bar.aov.ph I: Note: Arlicles contained in this publicatim may be used or reptinted with !

i-!:!':?,'!i:!,Y:!.,:t-!,,y"!** -**--.--l

I assame it was notcoincidental or by divine intementionthat BAR celebrates its anniversary inAugusl The zodiac sign ofAugust isLeo, and Leos are knownfortheirleadership prowess, We like to think thatBAR is like humans that are alsoinflaenced by zodiac signs. We aremandated to lead the agriculture and

faheries R&D system in the countrytAnd leqd it, we wiIL

As we turn 18 this monlh, ouranniversary celebrafion becomes quitenostalgic. For those of us who werealready in during the 1" BARanniversary, our memories are jilledwith the pangs of birth pains. Howfasttime flies! It is as if we just recently

The Secretary also pointedout the need for developing a systemthat enables the agriculturetechnicians of the local govemmentunits to consult with scientistsregularly regarding issues andconcems in the farmlands.

He tipped his hat to theCommunity-based ParticipatoryAction Research (CPAR) program ofBAR, which he says is acommendable effort in linkingresearch with its ultimate users.

He also acknowledged thefinancial issues the Bureau has beenfacing owing to recent budget cuts,but expressed confidence in BAR's

leadership and itscapability to overcomethis obstacle.

marked our 1" birthday, For some of us,I8 years symbolize the debut to adulthoodBut unlike a debutante, we have gone along way. We have organized thenetworks, systematized the R&D efforts inthe country, mingled with the users of ourtechnologies, and many more Yel we areexpected to do more in the coming years.

As we celebrate our anniversarymonth, wefeature a varied mk ofactivities in this issue. This includes the

formal ceremonies, the technical forums,and other fun activities for the staff andour guests. Let's savor every moment ofthis memoruble month. Ourfeaturedarticles, we hope, capture the spirit and

, the aspirations of our 18'h anniversary.(Aw)

system in agriculture and fisheries".He remarked, " R&D is a basic

prerequisite to modemize agriculture. Ithelps expand production throughapplications of newly generatedtechnologies."

"Increased volume of productionand awareness in quality would make us

globally competitive, creating additionaljobs that would eventually augment theaverage income of the rural areas," headded.

Director Eleazar also mentionedthe Bureau's strategies to keep up with theneeds of its clientele, which are strategicplanning, setting priorities at the regionallevel, technology cornmercialization,collaboration with partners to promoteproductivity, profitability, and livelihood,and participation in trade fairs and

exhibits to increase public awareness ofBAR's mandate and accomplishments.

"Despite these gains, we stillhave a lot of work to do. We have to be

realistically driven to make feasible anddoable plans for the Bureau's clientele.There will be more hurdles to come, and

more political and economic impedimentsto hinder our progress, but there will stillbe another 18 years to ensure that ourbeloved country gets the service itdeserves from her servants, the people,"he said in closing. (Ma. Lizbeth J.

Barofia)

The Bareau "comesof age"

Meanwhile, DirectorEleazar, in hiswelcome speech,

likened the Bureau to adebutante who has

come of age, and isready to take onsociety's challenges.He said BAR has

found its niche as the"central body for R&D

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NTCP fast tracks promotion and implementation

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BAR Dir Nicomedes P Eleazar (2nd from left) awurds the first prize winner of the poster-makingconlest to Junice Nepomuceno from the General Roxas Elementary School. Also in the photo are Dr.Teodoro Solsoloy, BAR OIC Asst.Dir.; Ms. Rosario Jimenez, one of the judges; and Dr MarloweAquino, NTCP head

national coordinator of the NTCP,presented the structure and thrusts of theprogram to the participants who are theregional partners of BAR in the NTCP'simplementation. The briefing aimed tosolicit comments and suggestions fromthe regions regarding the program'sframework and clari$ problems and

concems on the implementation of theprogram. The briefing was also BAR'sway of calling for support andcooperation for the program since theregional agricultural and fi sheries

centers' partners are instrumental inpromoting the technologies to be

commercialized.

Techno forumThe 2nd techno forum was held

at BAR on 9 August 2005 to present andpromote the technologies generated byR&D scientists and researchers as well as

by innovative farmers and fisherfolk inthe country.

Eight new technologies from the

crops, livestock, and fisheries sectors

were presented. On crops, the"Improvement of the potato seed system

using disease-free and true potato seed

tubers" was presented by Mr. Luis Pacana

and Dr. Susan Razo (SMIARC, DavaoCity), while the "Organically grownvegetables in Northem Mindanao" waspresented by Mr. Carlos Osip and Ms.Carlota Madriaga (NOMIARC,Bukidnon). On livestock, the technologiespromoted were "Energy and proteinrequirements of starting, growing andlaying Philippine mallard ducks","Breeding management of Philippinemallard duck raised under intensive andmodified extensive management system",and the "Production ofquality saltedeggs". These were presented by Dr. JovitaDatuin (ILIARC, La Union). Thetechnology "Protein-enriched sweetpotatopulp as feed for broilers" was presented byDr. Maria Teresa Demo-os (Camiling,Tarlac). On fisheries, the "Process ofextraction and formulation of icthyocidesfrom derris plants" was presented by Dr.Florentino Sumera (University of thePhilippines-NSRl, Diliman), while the"Seaweed culture using triangular method"was presented by Mr. Said Kalbi (DA-BFAR lX, Zamboanga City).

An open forum followed thepresentations. The participants exchangedideas regarding their methods, findings,and personal experiences and success

stories regarding the adoption ofthetechnologies.

Poster-making contestA poster-making contest

participated in by students fromelementary schools in Quezon City washeld on the last day of the BARanniversary week. The activity wasconducted in order to draw out a coverdesiga for the forthcoming publication ofthe NTCP. The theme given to the studentswas "Making technology work foragriculture, fisheries, and industry". Atleast l5 elementary schools participated inthe said contest. The participants fromGeneral Roxas Elementary School tookhome the P5,000 cash prize and a trophy.(Miko Jazmine J. Mojica)

he Bureau of AgriculturalResearch's (BAR) NationalTechnology

Commercialization Program (NTCP)held a series ofactivities to fast trackits implementation. During the week-long celebration of the BARanniversary this month, the NTCPteam spearheaded the conduct ofthe2"d Agriculture and FisheriesTechnology Forum, consultation-bnefing with the Department ofAgriculture Regional IntegratedAgricultural Research Centers(zuARCs) and Regional FisheriesResearch and Development Centers(RFRDCs), and a poster-makingcontest for the forthcomingpublication of NTCP.

NTCP consultation-briefingDuring the consultation/

business meeting of DA-BAR with theDA-RIARCs and RFRDCs, the NTCPteam gave the participants an

overview of the program along withits framework.

II

I

Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino,

**Cur"u.3

GIS/RS manu?|, Agritech Online launchedhe Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) formallylaunched the training manuals

on Implementation of GeographicInformation Systems in Agricultureand Natural Resources, and Analysisof Remotely Sensed Data authored byBAR's GIS expert Dr. Esteban

Godilano, and Agritech Onlineduring the BAR anniversary program,8 August 2005.

GIS/RS training manual: TheJirstof its kind

Dr. Godilano, who authoredthe training manuals on GISimplementation and remote sensing

data analysis, said the book aims to"provide understanding and hands-onknowledge of the issues andrequirements for implementing andapplying geographic informationsystems and technology in agricultureand natural resources".

Dr. Godilano is an expert inspace technology. He holds a

doctorate degree in environmentalinformation system from ComellUniversity, USA. He is considered a

leading expert in remote sensing/geographic information systems/

global positioning systemsimplementation and application inAsia. Various goverrrment agencies,

hardware and software vendors, and

non-goverrment organizations seek

Dr. Godilano's expertise on RS/GIS/GPS.

The author's extensiveexperience in his field ofspecialization are on basic and

applied research in rice cropping andfarming systems; community-basednatural resource management;geospatial information technologyapplication in agriculture and naturalresonrces; land-use planning and tax-mapping for local government units;implementing sustainable agriculturalresearches and production programswith the National Agricultural

Research

System;

implementingpovertymapping and

sustainablelivelihoodprograms;precisionagriculture;computerhardware and

RS/GIS/GPStraining;agriculturalprojectmanagement

and NARScollaboration;and workingin multi-culturalsettings.

Agritech Online: Breaking bsrriersAgriculture and cyberspace are

not strange bedfellows after all.Somewhere along the left bar of

the BAR's website, is the icon thatleads you to Agritech Online - BAR'sweb-based knowledge portal that is avirtual one-stop shop for anybody on the

search for infonnation on farmingprocesses, post-harvest handling, marketinformation, and even an on-linediscussion board with other agricultureenthusiasts.

The portal is one way ofaddressing the issue on the

communication gap that exists betweenresearch institutions and those who need

information, whether farmers,businessmen, investors, or even just the

curious. Since it takes advantage oftheinformation and communicationtechnology, the time element ininformation transfer is reduced, rnay

even be eliminated.Agritech Online is made up of

sections that offer different services,

including AgriBalita, where news and

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Tbp photo: Mr Jerson Cruz of MISD explains how the Agritech Online operates.

Bottom photo: GIS manuals launched during BARb anniversary

updates about the agriculture and

fisheries sectors can be accessed.

Successful farmers and their storiesare featured in the AgriGaling section.This section also features investorsand entrepreneurs who have beensuccessfu I in agri-enhepreneurshipventures. AgriKaalaman is whereone finds trivia and snippets ofagriculture-related information.Perhaps, the section that offers the

most choices of sources of informationis the AgriGabay section. This sectionfeatures the AgriGabay map - the

interactive kind where you find listsof commodities suitable for planting indifferent provinces across the country.

The section also featurespages on provincial and commodityprofiles. Provincial profiles includetopography, climatic and geographicalinformation, population, soilcomposition, and economic profile.Commodity profiles feature product

description, production process,

import and export information, market

see GIS/RS manual...pageT

;i-_.1

BAR as R&D bureausafeguards Philippine knowledge

Dt Agillon (first row, 2nd from right) and the other participants during the training inSvalov, Swedenfrom I8 May to 8 htne 2005.

get raw (genetic) materials from thePhilippines and process these as itsown.

One of the fundamentalissues raised on the recognition oftheimportance of genetic resources andIPR in the Philippines is theimplementation of legislation relatedto regulating the "access, use,commercialization, (and prevention ofexploitation) of biological geneticresources and patenting offoreignentities to species endemic to thePhilippines."

Executive Order 247 is thefirst national legislation on the"access to genetic resources andbenefit sharing which aims to increaseawareness on regulating the use andconservation of biodiversity in thePhilippines." While the Philippinegovemment is rich in policies ongenetic resources, the country shouldalso be well informed on strategies onnegotiating, handling, addressing, anddealing with genetic resources andIPR issues. Genetic resource hasbecome one of the fundamentalstructures in the advancement oftechnologies in agriculture andindustrial crops, pharmaceuticals andthe natural products industry in thecountry.

The Philippine contingentwho attended the seminar-workshopwill serve as the catalyst for IPRpolicies and implementation andframeworks on genetic resources atthe national and institutional level.

The Sweden IntemationalDevelopment Cooperation Agency(SIDA) covered the trainingprogram's cost including participationand accommodation fees. Theagencies responsible for the trainingprogram are the StockholmEnvironment Institute (SEI), an

independent, intemational researchsee txext page

s the country's lead agencyin agricultural R&D, BARsets forth to arm the R&D

system in safeguarding the country'srecent developments in geneticresources and local knowledge andtheir proper access, use, andcommercialization. Dr. Andrea B.Agillon, BAR Intellectual PropertyRights Offrce (IPRO) head, attendedthe advance intemational hainingprogram on genetic resoruces andintellectual properfy rights in Svalov,Sweden from 18 May to 8 June 2005.

Twenty-six participantsfrom 23 countries including thePhilippines, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile,China, Ethiopia, Ghana, and India,converged at the Svalof Weibull ABin Svalov, Sweden for the trainingcourse.

Before to the training, Dr.Agillon and Ms. Jane G. Payumo,project development officer ofthePhilippine Rice Research Institute(PhilRice) Intellectual PropertyManagement Office, co-wrote apaper on tbe country's experience ongenetic resources and intellectualproperty rights (IPR). The paperexplained the issues and concems inthe implementation of an intellectual

property (IP) protection system. Italso posited a balance in legislationaccorded to genetic resources andsharing ofbenefit, and itsimplementation. This served as thepreparatory phase ofthe Swedentraining for the Philippinecontingent.

The whole seminar-workshop was divided into threeparts - lectwes on genetic resourcesand IPR issues, bioprospecting, IPissues on crop breeding, treatises onIP concepts; field visits to relatedinstifutions; and group exercises suchas role playing of IP owner andcommercial company, IP negotiationon policy implementation, access anduse ofgenetic resources, whereparticipants acted as negotiators.

"Some of our indigenousknowledge and biological materialscould be shared to other countriesthat do not have these materialswithout undergoing intellectualproperty right procedures," said Dr.Agillon. This would mean anintellectual loss for the Philippines.The country is blessed with variousand diverse biological and geneticresources which could be seen as an

opportunity for foreign countries to

smCr*rriorr5

BAR us...

institute specializing in sustainabledevelopment and environment issues.Svalof Weibull AB is one of theworld's leading plant breeding andseed groups in Europe that alsopursues comprehensive research anddevelopment program in genetechnology. The Swedish BiodiversityCentre (CBM), on the other hand, isthe national research center for

research on biodiversity.The participants were housed

at the Star Scandic Hotel in Lundt City,Sweden. (Angela E. Obnial)

Sources:l. A.B. Agillon. "Genetic Resources and

Intellectual Property Rights, " SvalovSweden; May l8 to June 8, 2005. Atr"aining report.

2. Jane G. Payumo and Andrea B. Agillon.

"Genetic Resources and IntellectualProperty Rights: The philippineExperience." Presented at theInternational Training Program onGenetic Resources and IntellectualProperty Rights, Svalov, Sweden, l8 Mayto 8 June 2005.

3. Tt'aining Programnte oJ GeneticRes ource s and I ntel I ec tual P rop ertyRights by Sweden InternationalDevelopment Cooperation Agency inSvalov, Sweden, 18 May to 8 June 2005.

DK8I8RRC2.The approval of stacked-trait corn-Btcom Mon810AIK 603 makes it thefourth event to be given the go signalby the Philippine govemment. Thecommercial technology demonstrationofthe com hybrid varieties bearing thedual traits will start in the 2005 dryseason planting.

Since commercial planting ofBt corn in 2003, the industry insidersestimate that an aggregate area of70,000 hectares has been planted toinsect-protected corn.

With more choices of biotechcorn in the market to suit specificfarming systems, it is expected thatthere will be significant expansion ofcorn areas. Records at the Bureau ofAgricultural Statistics show thatvolume of corn production has

increased from4.62 million metric tonsin 2003 to 5.41 million metric tons in2004.

However, adoption of thesenew biotech corn varieties will dependon affordability of seeds and favorablefarm gate price of corn during harvest.The focus offarm support by theDepartrnent of Agriculture towardstrengthening postharvest facilities willsurely boost confidence amongprogressive farmers to adopt newtechnologies that would help themimprove farm productivity. (BIC PressRelease)

New corn variety with insect resistance and herbicidetolerance approved for planting in the philippines

dding to the menu of agri-technology choices availableto farmers, the Philippines'

Bureau of Plant Industry recentlyapproved a new com variety forplanting. So called "stacked-traitcorn," the plant bears two introducedgenes in its genetic make-up. Thefirst one, called Bt gene (crylab),comes from a common soilbacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis.'This makes protein that enables thecorn plant to resist the attacks ofAsiatic corn borer, a dread insect pestthat can cause as much as 80% yieldreduction.

The second one, the EPSPS(5 -enolpyruvylshikimate-3 -phosphatesynthase) gene, isolated from CP4strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens,is a naturally-occurring bacterium inthe soils which enableS the corn plantto continuously produce essentialaromatic amino acids even in thepresence ofglyphosate, a non-selective herbicide.

Thus, glyphosate kills theweeds without harming the cornplant. When conventional corn plantsare sprayed with glyphosate, they stopproducing the aromatic amino acidssuch as tyrosine, phenylalanine andtryptophan which are essential to theirsurvival. The EPSPS enzyme can befound in all plants, bacteria and fungi.Animals do not produce their own

aromatic amino acids; thus, they need toobtain them from plants for survival.

EPSPS is normally present infoods made from plants and microbialsources. This latest corn variefycombines the traits of two earlierapproved biotech corn varietiesdeveloped by Monsanto-the RoundupReady corn and Bt corn.

ln 2002, the Philippinesapproved Bt corn Mon 810. This gene isincorporated into the differentcommercial local com varieties ofMonsanto Philippines and Pioneer Hi-bred Philippines. Locally, the MonsantoBt corn hybrids are known as

Dekalb(DK) 8l8YG, DK9l6lYG, andDK905lYG. On the other hand, thelocal Bt corn hybrid varieties ofPioneerHi-bred Philippines are sold as 30Y84,30Y50, 30Y80, 30Y73, and 30Y34.

In 2005, another Bt com-eventBt I I of Syngenta Philippines wasapproved for planting. The biotech cropproducts of Syngenta Philippines aremarketed under the Agrisure trade name.For the approved Bt I l, its commercialvariety is sold as NK 5447Bt.

Also in 2005, Corn NK 603was approved for commercial use. Itintroduced the EPSPS gene into thechromosome of the com plant.Designed as a weed control option, thiscom type which is developed byMonsanto Phils. is known as RR com orRoundup Ready Corn. It is sold as

eenCheaisle

Mi ndanao vegetable stakeholdersdiscuss global competitive advantage

n their fervent hope to strengthen

Mindanao's bid as the emerging

vegetable capital of the countryindustry leaders, farmers, govemment

and non-govemment offrcials and

organizations gathered for the 2nd

Mindanao Vegetable Congress on 18-

19 August 2005 at the Grand MenSeng Hotel, Davao City. The activitysought to discuss issues and challengesfaced by the vegetable industry and tocome up with recommendations forviable government interventions andprivate sector participation.

Focusing on the theme,"Mindanao Vegetable IndustryStakeholders' Collaboration: AStronger Linkage to Markets", the

stakeholders in the two-day congress

shared their best practices in vegetableindustry development that ultimatelyprovided the farmers and producerswith the best market opportunitiesoutside Mindanao and furtherdeveloped their agri-entrepreneurshipskills. By enhancing the alreadyexisting linkages among stakeholders,

GIS/RS munual...

price and price trends, list ofbuyersand processors, sellers, R&D,investment opportunities, marketingsystems, market information, sourcesof planting materials, seeds and inputs,postharvest facilities, storage,packaging, and transport and handling.

The cost and retum analysispage helps future agri-entrepreneursexamine the economic prospects oftheir product. Visitors of the BARwebsite and the Agritech Online webpage can also chat with one another toinquire or exchange information at the

on-line forum page.(Ma. Lizbeth J. Barofia)

i

the industry hoped to achieve globalcompetitive advantage both in terms ofmeeting production demand andproducing quality vegetables.

The Vegetable IndustryCouncil of Southem Mindanao(VICSMin) organized this annual eventin cooperation with the NorthernMindanao Vegetables ProducersAssociation, Inc. (NorminVeggies).The Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) was one of the cooperators/sponsors of the activity along with the

Department of Agriculture-RegionalFieldunit xI (DA-RFU XI),University of the PhilippinesMindanao, University of Southeastern

Philippines, Western MindanaoVegetable Industry DevelopmentCouncil, Inc., Caraga Federation ofVegetable Industry Organization,Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and

the United States Agency forInternational Development (USAID).

Highlighted in the activitywere series of lectures and exhibits and

product displays related to vegetables.

Included in the series oflectures are

topics on the current state ofthe

Mindanao vegetable industry, updateson government interventions andinitiatives, farmers' experiences invegetable production and marketing,pre-marketing needs, and marketlinkage.

BAR's participation in thetwo-day exhibit was facilitated by keystaffmembers, namely: Dr. RolandoKintana of the Research CoordinationDivision (RCD) and Ms. Julia Lapitanof the Management Information System

Division (MISD). Presented in BAR'sexhibit were recent technologies fromresearches funded by BAR such as the

dragonfruit or pitaya and potatoproduction in modified hydroponics,which are being implemented by DA-RFU Xl-Southem Mindanao IntegratedAgricultural Research Center(sMrARC).

The opening ceremony was

attended by VICSMin President RogerG. Gualberto, NorminVeggies PresidentMarcelino E. Remotigue, and Hon.Leonardo R. Avila III, councilor of the

l'1 district of Davao City, who alsoserved as the master of ceremony forthe activity. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

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Participanls visiting the DA-BAR booth during the 2nd Mindanao Vegetable Congress in Davao City.

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A first of a kind of farmers'market in the North

Afarmers' market in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

( (, xrthe farmers' market, the cornis juicy and the tomatoes are

sweet as peaches," says a famousadvertisement in America, promoting freshagricultural products directly from thefarmers who planted them. Farmers'market is a public market where farmerscan sell their produce directly to the

consumers and since there is nomiddleman involved, the products are soldat a cheaper price.

At the heart of the Batac, IlocosNorte a public market lies a stretch offresh, locally-grown agricultural productsbeing sold by farmers. The farmers'section is a major come-on amongconsumers because the products are notonly cheaper but also complete.Everything one needs is already there,

from the basic necessities down to the veryleast ingredients needed to cook a decentmeal.

The farmers' market is madepossible through the major effort of the

municipal mayor of Batac, Atty. Jesus .Nalupta, Sr. or simply "Mayor J" as hisconstituents fondly refer to him. Stafffromthe Applied Communication Section had a

brief discussion with him on 14 July 2005

during a visit to Batac market and he waskind enough to be the tour guide aroundthe marketplace.

According to Mayor Nalupta, the

farmers' section alone is aireadygenerating a lot of money for Batac. He

mentioned that, on the average, the marketeams around one million pesos a month. Acooperative handles the standard pricing ofproducts being sold in the farmers' market.

Mayor Nalupta's effort to furtherimprove the economic condition of Batacis slowly paying off as he is oftenmentioned by former Department ofAgriculture (DA) Secretary Luis Lorenzoin his speeches as an example of how toempower farmers, increase income, andminimize perishable surplus. (Rita T. delaCruz)

the ASEAN Declaration in Bangkok,Thailand. What started out as a

political organization during the coldwar era, with five member countries,namely: Indonesia, Malaysia,Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand,has expanded into a regionalcommunity that encompasses political,economic and functional (i.e., trade,

investment, industry, services, etc.),and external relations among membersand neighboring countries.Membership in the ASEAN now also

includes Brunei Darussalam,Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and

Vietnam.In 1968, regional

cooperation among Southeast Asiancountries started in the agriculturesector, specifically in foodproduction and supply. Nine years

lateq the scope was expanded toinclude other areas ofagriculture and

the addition ofthe forestry sector.

Currently, ASEAN cooperation inthese sectors operates on thefollowing areas, namely: foodsecurity and handling; crops;livestock; fi sheries; agriculturaltraining and extension; agriculturalcooperatives; forestry; and

biotechnology.This was further

strengthened with the signing of the

Ministerial Understanding onASEAN Cooperation in Food,Agriculture and Forestry on 28

October 1993 in Brunei Darussalam.

Agriculture and forestry ministersThe ASEAN Ministers on

Agriculture and Forestry is the bodythat meets annually to consider,review, and approve policies,strategies, and action programs of theCooperation in Food, Agriculture andForestry. It is supported by the SOM-AMAF (Senior Officials Meeting-AMAF) that meets at least twice a

year.

The chairmanship of bothbodies is rotated annually followingthe ASEAN rule on succession(alphabetical order based on the

names of the member countries). The

last AMAF meeting was held inYangon, Myanmar (October 2004)and was chaired by MyanmarMinister for Agriculture and

Inigation Major General Htay Oowith former Agriculture SecretaryArthur C. Yap as vice-chair. The nextmeeting in Tagaytay will be chairedby DA Secretary Domingo F.

Panganiban.

Undersecretary Segfredo R.

Serrano is the SOM country leader ofthe Philippines. (Rudyard R. Roxas)

Philippines...

pooled its human and material resources.

Selected officials of the DA and itsbureaus and attached agencies weretrained by the Department of ForeignAffair's Protocol Offrce on the basics ofPhilippine Protocol Practices.

Forging regional cooperation inagriculture

The ASEAN has been inexistence since 1967 with the signing of

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Growing potatowithout soil

by RITAT. DELACRUZ

oil plays a crucial part in farmproduction but it nowbecomes ineffectual with the

advent of soilless farming or simplyhydroponics. This technique infarming has become so indispensablethat it even adapts to modem-daysetting allowing farmers to growpotato even with limited space andwithout considering the 'in- and oflseason' farming allowingunintem.rpted production.

This technique in farmingworks well with potato. Sincegrowing potato does not need soil,this means no soil-borne pests anddetrimental disease such as bacterialwilt.

With the wide uses of potatoand a low consumption of it, thecountry must find ways to fullyoptimize its use especially with thepopularity of French fries amongfastfoods and restaurants makingpotato a highly demanded rootcrop.It is, therefore, important thatfarmers find appropriate means tocontinuously produce more potatoesyear-round.

Potato production has highincome potential for farmers,especially those in Northern Luzonand Southem Mindanao where thebulk of the potato produced comesfrom. However, owing to variousconstraints such as limited supply ofquality planting materials, lowquality of potatoes in terms ofcontent and size, lack oftechnicalknow-how among our farmers, andpostharvest handling, localproduction could not meet themarket demand.

Modifted hydroponicsIn Southern Mindanao, farmers

found an effective way to producegranola and atlantic potatoes (two ofthe most common varieties grown in thecountry) through modified hydroponics.The technology was tried for fieldtesting by a team from the Departmentof Agriculture-Southem MindanaoIntegrated Agricultural Research Center(DA-SMTARC).

The technology is called' modified' hydroponics becausepotatoes were grown using inertmedium, sand and coco coir dust,instead of the usual soil. The use of thissterile medium proves a more practicalmodified hydroponics system becausethere are no reserve nuhients. Thisensures that every plant gets the preciseamount of nutrients and water it needs.

Aside from being a no-soil-used and space-friendly method, thedeveloped technology produces bettertubers with a much longer shelf life thanthose potatoes grown in the soil, giventhat the farm has been managedproperly. Labor involved in tending theplants is also markedly reduced. Onecycle ofplanting potatoes needs only 30man-days.

The how-tos of modiJied hydroponicsIn this technology developed

by SMIARC, the inputs/ materialsinclude: 10 bags of fertlizer (12-l l-1 8),I liter insecticide, L5 kg firngicides, 85

kg seedtubers, 1000 pc polyethylenebag(24x24x.006), 20 cu m coarse riversand, 150 bags ofcoir dust, and 5

gallons of disinfectant. These inputs/materials are for a 200-sq-m area.

Cultural management practices

are important to effectively manage andensure optimum production of potato.Some of these are, securing qualityseed tubers, disinfecting the mediumwith 0.5% sodium hypochloritesolution, hilling-up of the mediumduring the suggested weeks afterplanting, dehaulming (cutting allfoliage and stem when leaves startturning yellow), hand digging duringharvest, and collecting produce usingplastic crates.

The total cost for the threecycles amounts to Pph65,865 with a

gross income of Pph85,050. This totalsto a net income amounting to Pphl9,185 for the 200-sq-m area planted. Theretum of investrnent (ROI) is 29.13%.

For more information and copies oftheirinformation kit, please contact the KnowledgeManagement/FlTs Center, Bago Oshiro, TugbokDistrict, Davao City or through telefax: (082) 293-0109 or 293-01 36 or email them at:smiarc(@Nahoo.cont orI oui eo a c a ana(4h o tma i L co nt

Sources:

I." Potuto production in nodified hydroponics"produced by Knowledge Management/FlTSCenter

2. Bernardino, R.B. 2002. "RootingJbr Potato".Agri-Food Trade Service, InJb published byAgriculture and AgriFood Canada, retrieved

fro m : http : //atr riae. agr. ca/asean/e 3 4 0 L httt3. Gagnon, R.2002. "Philippines Potato Market

Imports Analysis". Agri-Food Trade Service,Info published by Agriculture and Agri-FoodCanada, retrieved from; http: //atn-riae.agrcaiasean/e3 3B I .htm

4. " P hi li p pine p os tharves t indus try p rofi I e : P o t ato "retriered from http : //wv'tv.bo rc. got'. o h/p hi ndtts t rJ' / p ot ato. ht nt

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BAR director, staff visit private demo farm

:###.

irector Nicomedes Eleazar,several BAR staff members,and partners from the

regions visited a privately ownedfarm that exhibits the use of dripirrigation for vegetable production.This is located in Barrio Bucal,Silang. Cavite. The visitors weregiven lectures and demonstrations onthe uses of irrigation equipment and

drip systems by experts of NETAFIM, an

Israeli-owned company.NETAFIM is a business entity

that provides innovative solutions toincrease crop yield and preserve scarce

water resources. It offers cutting edge

core-drip irrigation technology andagronomic expertise for inigationlandscaping, turnkey greenhouse

projects, wastewater recycling for

environmental irrigation, and

advanced crop management andmonitoring systems.

The website of thecompany, which boasts of branches

in 26 countries, including thePhilippines, says it is the hope of the

company "to share our decades ofexperience, unparalleled expertise,and innovative research anddevelopment - that have resulted inproven and lasting irrigationsolutions for arid conditions - withour customers in all comers of theglobe. Our familiarity with diverselocal growing cultures and methods,together with the deep roots wehave established in many differentcountries, create the idealfoundation for future growth. Weaim to bring our wealth ofknowledge and profound expertiseto the service of each local growerand landscape gardener."

NETAFIM's headquartersis in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Ma. LizbethJ. Barofia)

IBAR(-\hronicleB rlA mnhlyFd@Ud ollhoEBureu ol Agrcullu6l Res€arch

ERDMIC 860, visyas Av6.Fcor Ellpucal Ro&, Oilman

fierrueernes

PCA celebrates 1gth Goco Week

he Philippine CoconutAuthority (PCA), BAR'snational partner for the

coconut RDE network, celebrated its19'h National Coconut Week, August24 - 28. The celebration highlightedthe coconut tree's potentials as a

source of livelihood, and of healthand beauty products.

The celebration's focal pointwas a coconut festival held at the

Mega-Trade Hall in SM Megamall.Government and private entitiesexhibited vast arrays ofproductsderived from the tree. The public was

treated to presentation oftheseproducts from coconut candies, thevirgin coconut oil, and accessories

and bags. Among those exhibited wasthe Philippine coconut geotextile, alsocalled coconet, which was an entry to theBBC World Challenge. This is a contestjointly sponsored by the BBC World and

Newsweek, in association with Shell,

aimed at finding groups or individualswho have shown innovativeentrepreneurship at the grassroots

level. (Ma. Lizbeth J. Barofia)

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Entered as second class mail at the Quezon City Central Post Office under permit no. 753-0 1 NCR