Volume 8 Issue No. 10 Official monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research OCTOBER 2007

BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BAR hronicleCVisit our official website at http://www.bar.gov.ph Gawad Oscar FlorendoAwardee for OutstandingInformation Tool for Print

ISSN 1655-3942Department of Agriculture

BARhronicleC

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

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

NEWS

In the recentAgriLink/AquaLink/FoodLinkcelebration held on 4-6 October

2007 at the World Trade Center, PasayCity, Department of Agriculture (DA)Secretary Arthur C. Yap emphasized thatthe future of the country lies inagriculture.

He stressed this during theculminating activities of the affairwherein winners of the O! May GulayCooking Contest and the Pinaka-BESTagricultural products were recognizedand awarded.

Yap mentioned that we shouldencourage children, youths and everyoneto eat healthy, nutritious, and deliciousvegetable recipes because of theirnutritive value and affordability. Hemade reference to the new vegetablerecipes that enable households to cookcheaper and better vegetablepreparations as six high schools in MetroManila competed for the coveted awardfor originality, innovativeness and

agri food productsYap promotes abundant & nutritious

affordability.He also encouraged the

students to be creative and be the best asnew vegetable discoveries are unveiledfor better nutrition program for families,households, communities, schools andthe whole country.

Meanwhile, this year's Pinaka-BEST agricultural crop and fisherycommodities showcased the bountifulharvests from rich and fertile soils andwater resources from the differentregions of the country.

Yap pointed out that to havenutritious and healthy food, agriculturemust play an important role in makingthe commodities abundant andsustainable to address the nutritionalrequirements of people in the rural areasand metropolis.

“If we want to have a steadysupply of agricultural products, we mustinvolve ourselves and be productive fora healthier and wealthier Philippines,” heconcluded. (Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino)

In this issue...

Yap promotes abundant and nutritious...................................1

World Food Day highlights “Right to Food”...........................1

72-kg squash aces as “Pinka-BEST” People’s.......................2

BAR awards 16 outstanding researches in agri.....................3

Locally-developed ND vaccine wins PSAS Award.................4

BAR conducts bio-organic fertilizer orientation.....................4

Eleazar recieves distinguished alumni award........................5

UPLB celebrates Loyalty Day; Velasco highlights.................5

Nutritious malunggay-based recipe wins 2007.......................6

Food company eyes the potential of malunggay....................6

Beverage from malunggay.........................................................7

BAR promotes nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals ...............7

BAR introduces potential product lines from..........................8

A fresh look at ......................................................8

Operating the onion industry with OPREMS............................9

Empowering upland communities through............................10

Agricultural cooperatives: Catalyst for profitability...............11

DA adopts IPM strategy against .............................12

DA implements program to abate use of chemical................12

siling labuyo

Brontispa

turn to page 9

Following the alarming outbreak ofan invasive coconut pest in thecountry, the Department of

Agriculture (DA), through the PhilippineCoconut Authority (PCA), has devisedand adopted an integrated pestmanagement (IPM) strategy to control thespread of the coconut pest. IPM is acombination of different pest-controlstrategies implemented to reduce pestdamage to an acceptable level.

The coconut pest, which wasidentified as Gestroor the coconut hispine beetle is an insectthat feeds on the young leaves ofcoconuts and other palm species. Thepest poses a great threat to the country'scoconut industry as it is consideredamong the most damaging pest ofcoconut. The larvae of feedson young leaves of coconut, leaving itscorched in a ragged appearance, whilethe adults leave chewing marks on theleaves. The damage that the pest causesimpairs the physiological activity of theleaves, which can lead to the death of theplants. Coconuts that are 4-5 years oldare most heavily attacked by this pest.

Brontispa longissima

Brontispa

DA adopts IPM scheme against Brontispa

Coconut leaf beetle

photocourtesy

ofasianipm.da.gov.ph

According to PCA AdministratorOscar Garin, the plague of can becontrolled and contained through integratedcontrol measures. This includes (1)mechanical control method which involves thecutting of the young coconut fronds infestedby the beetle; (2) biological control methodwhich involves the mass propagation ofearwigs, a biological predator of .Earwigs will be released on infested coconuttrees to feed on brontispa as its prey; and (3)the chemical control which suggests the use ofsystematic insecticides through trunkinjection. The devised IPM scheme against the

plague is the result of PCA'sresearch, actual observations, and fieldexperiences.

The IPM scheme for the control andcontainment of the coconut pest is alreadybeing implemented with PCA as the leadagency. Garin reported that PCA has alreadytreated more than 70,000 infested coconuttrees.

DA has placed Metro Manila underquarantine and other 26 provinces that werereported to have infestation. Theprovinces under quarantine are Ilocos Norte,Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga,Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, Laguna,

Brontispa

Brontispa

Brontispa

Brontispa

Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Palawan,Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo,Aklan, Guimaras, Bohol, Eastern Samar,Northern Samar, Zamboanga, Bukidnon andDavao.

was believed to beintroduced in the country in 2004 throughthe importation of ornamental palms. Inthis regard, the imports of palm seedlingsand germinated seeds from over two dozencountries with reportedinfestation were banned by DA.

Brontispa

Brontispa(Ellaine

Grace L. Nagpala)

DA implements program to abate use of chemical fertilizers

The Department of Agriculture (DA)through the Bureau of Soils andWater Management (BSWM) is

implementing the Organic-basedAgriculture “Agri-Kalikasan”Development Program to abate thedependence of small farmers on chemical-based fertilizers which are not onlyexpensive but are also risky to the theirhealth and the environment. This, reportedby BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazarduring a brief presentation during the“Bio-organic Fertilizer Production ProjectOrientation” held on 2 October 2007 at the2/F RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave., Diliman,Quezon City.

The presentation was made incomplementation with an on-going projectfunded and supported by BAR on bio-organic fertilizer and in cooperation with aprivate institution, the Agro-Forestry CropSystems, Inc. (AFCSI). The project isimplemented in 1

Regional Integrated AgriculturalResearch Centers (RIARCs).

In the presentation, Dir. Eleazarstressed that the Agri-Kalikasan programis a science-based back-to-basicsustainable agricultural and ruraldevelopment program that promotesorganic-based farming guided by scientificprinciples.

Initially, the program implements

8 pilot experimental sitesof the

two types of technologies: Modified RapidComposting (MRC) and (TA).MRC promotes farm wastes recycling andcomposting, which is an alternativetechnology suitable in poverty strickenareas, with farmers having limited capital tosustain production. Meanwhile, TAtechnology is an alternative to help farmerscope with high input costs which promotesthe judicious use and proper mixtures ofoil-based chemical fertilizers and recycledhome and farm wastes, animal manures,chicken dung, guano, and other forms andnatural sources of soil ameliorates andorganic fertilizers in areas where input costsare too high for farmers.

The Japanese Government, underthe RP-Japan Increased Food Production orthe KR2 program, in cooperation with the

Tipid Abono

National Agriculture and Fisheries Council(NAFC) has approved the three-yearfinancial assistance amounting to PhP 246.0million as a start-up fund for its nationwideimplementation.

Dir. Eleazar said that thepromotion of biofertlizer productiontechnology is hoped to generate income notonly for the farmer-cooperators butultimately to improve the economicactivities in the regions. Through thisproject, resource utilization are optimizedwhile at the same time protecting theenvironment through proper disposal anduse of farm and agro wastes.

Attending the project orientationwere RIARC managers and key staff fromthe Regional Coordination Division (RCD)of BAR. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

T

Seminar on indigenous plants

he need to realize the human rightto obtain adequate food byensuring respect, protection, and

fulfillment”— this highlights the themefor the 2007 World Food Day (WFD)celebration highlighting thebanner,”Right to Food”.

Department of Agriculture(DA) Secretary Arthur C. Yap with Foodand Agriculture Organization (FAO)Representative Kazuyuki Tsurumiorganized various programs andactivities in observance of the worldwideevent.

Director Nicomedes P. Eleazarof the Bureau of Agricultural Research(BAR), being the chairperson for theWFD Seminar Committee, led in theconduct of seminars/fora particularly ontopics concerning indigenous plants.This is in relevance with the recentlylaunched

RDE Program of SecretaryIndigenous Plants for Health

and Wellness

Yap. The seminar on indigenous plantsserved as BAR’s participation in the WFDcelebration.

Other agencies involved were theAgricultural Training Institute (ATI),National Agricultural and Fishery Council(NAFC), DA-Agribusiness and MarketingSystem (DA-AMAS) and Bureau of PlantIndustry (BPI).

Participants coming from theattached bureaus and agencies of theDepartment, Regional Field Units (RFUs),Regional Integrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (RIARCs), Regional FisheriesResearch Centers (RFRDCs), state colleges

World Food Day highlights “Right to Food”

“

BAR hronicleCDEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

The official monthly publication of DA-BAR

RITA T. DELA CRUZmanaging editor/layout

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhDRITA T. DELA CRUZ

MA. ELOISA E. HERNANDEZFERDINAND DAX C. LORENAELLAINE GRACE L. NAGPALA

RICARDO G. BERNARDO

JULIA A. LAPITANVICTORIA G. RAMOS

MANUEL F. BONIFACIO, PhD

MARLOWE U. AQUINO, PhD

NICOMEDES P. ELEAZAR, CESO IV

writers

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circulation

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head, MISD

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BAR Chronicle

Applied Communication Section

is the official monthlypublication of the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA), whichis mandated to ensure that allagricultural research is coordinatedand undertaken for maximum utility toagriculture.

This publication provides regularupdates on BAR’s activities as thecountry’s national coordinator foragriculture and fisheries R&D; andhighlights features and news articlesconcerning NaRDSAF-memberinstitutions.

For subscription and inquiries pleasecontact:

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NEWS

2 BAR hronicleC

FEATURE

BAR hronicleC 11

Making rice info technology available in real timeLEARN- :IT

Aheavy pumpkin weighing 72kilograms was hailed as People'sChoice and grand-prize winner for

the squash category in the search for thePinaka-BEST Agricultural Harvest held on6 October 2007 during the awardingceremony of the 2007Agrilink/Aqualink/Foodlink at the WorldTrade Center, Pasay City, Manila.

A crowd-drawer, the pumpkin wasbrought all the way from Davao City as anentry of the Punetespina Orchids andTropical Plants, Inc. to the said contest.

Sponsored by the Department ofAgriculture (DA), in coordination with theBureau of Agricultural Research (BAR),the Pinka-BEST Agricultural Harvest waslaunched in line of DA's priority to makefood available, abundant, and affordable toall Filipinos.

Likewise, the activity contest wasconducted to give due recognition to thefarmers and fisherfolk who raise andproduce commodities to their maximumcapability with good quality and commandhigh value when sold in the market.

The Pinaka-BEST AgriculturalHarvests were judged per commodity basedon its weight (45%), length (45%) andoverall appearance (10%), and wherecompared to the usual size of thecommodities with reference to exhibitexemplary size, weight, length, and visualquality that were grown in the normal

72-kilogram squash aces asPinaka-BEST People's Choice“ ”

production management practices of the cropand developed within the culture period inenclosed or developed aquaculture facilities.

The grand-prize winners for eachcommodity received a cash-award of PhP10,000 while a consolation prize ofPhP1,000 were given to the runners-up.

The commodities include mango,Cardaba banana, pineapple, papaya, andyellow corn for the crops category; bittergourd, eggplant, squash, cabbage, and sweetpotato for the vegetable category; andtilapia, milkfish, lapu-lapu, carp, black tigershrimp , white shrimp, and freshwater shrimp for the fisheriescategory.

Winning commodities came fromRegion 11 (Davao del Sur, Davao Orientaland Davao City), Region 1 (Sto. Tomas,Pangasinan and Dagupan City), Region 4A(Rizal, Quezon and Cavite), Region 5(Camarines Norte), Region 7 (Cebu City andNegros Oriental), and Region 2 (Isabela).

The judges for the search of thePinka-BEST Agricultural Harvest were EastWest Seed Company General Manager MaryAnn Sayoc, Bureau of Fisheries and AquaticResources (BFAR) Assistant Director GilAdora, Ms. Jenny Remoquillo of theGinintaung Masaganang Ani-High ValueCommercial Crops Program, BAR AssistantDirector Teodoro S. Solsoloy, and BAR-Program Development Division HeadCarmencita V. Kagaoan.

(sugpo)(ulang)

(Ellaine Grace L.Nagpala)

photo by RITA DELA CRUZphoto by NICANOR B. DEL ROSARIO III

Lifting the 72-kg squash during the pre-screening (right) and final judgement (left). The advent of globalization and freetrade creates a condition whereinthe Philippine agricultural sector is

changing fast. Imported food products areon the rise, cheap and often subsidizedfresh agricultural produce are penetratingthe market making our agriculturalproductivity low compared to ourSoutheast Asian neighbors. Moreover, mostFilipino farmers are still engaged intraditional methods of production and livebelow the poverty line.

Under such circumstances, thereis an urgent need to address these issuesand the answer might lie in the formationof agricultural cooperatives.

On 12-29 September 2007, agroup of 17 Filipinos from the Departmentof Agriculture (DA) and state colleges anduniversities (SCUs) attended a “TrainingProgramme for Young Leaders” sponsoredby the Japanese International CooperationAgency (JICA).

One of the key objectives of theprogram is for the participants to gain

Catalyst for profitability and answer to globalization

AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES:

Ferdinand Dax C. Lorena

understanding about the structure, role andmanagement systems of agriculturalcooperative organizations in Japan.

The training created anopportunity for the participants to study theJapan Agricultural (JA) Cooperatives inYamagata, Japan and see it in theperspective of a highly successful,effectively organized, and efficientlymanaged organization.

The basic tenet of an agriculturalcooperative is mutual aid. Those farmers ina weak economic position must unite andhelp each other for the common good.

A cooperative provides a venue tolend money, buy raw materials at low priceand sell products directly to consumers.This empowers poor farmers through higherprofits and an opportunity to alleviate themfrom poverty.

Through a cooperative, thestandard of farming is increased based oncollaborative works and technology sharing.

This ensures quality ofproduce and lowers cost ofproduction making it morecompetitive in the market asagainst imported goods.

JA Yamagata is aregional cooperative withalmost 21,000 members. Itemploys 557 people andholds office bigger than theBureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) with anasset and liabilities in 2005valued at Php61B and netincome of Php93M(P1:¥0.39).

This is the cooperative

Uniting the weak

Characteristics ofJapanese cooperative: TheCase of Yamagata

that is involved in all aspects of a farmer's lifefrom farm planning to selling, from marketing,banking to technology dissemination and evenwith the medical treatment, welfare andeducation of its members.

JA Yamagata is also a prime decisionmaker in the conduct of research anddevelopment (R&D) in agriculture therebyexemplifying a true market driven R&D.

The good thing about thiscooperative is that, farmers become traderswherein profitability of stakeholders isdispersed as farmers and capitalist work handin hand. The cooperative also does the marketguaranteeing supply and utilization anddetermining the best price for the products.Quality is also assured as products arestandardized.

The use of “branding” and first-rate“packaging” in all the major products ofYamagata such as cherries, pears, wines andbeef is a marketing coup. Raw materials areprocessed into commodities, carefullypackaged and branded with JA Yamagataassuring quality, product brand, andprocessor's trade name retention to consumers.

Given the level of success,organizational structure, and the critical role ofJA Yamagata, it is plausible that it can bereplicated in the Philippines. If there iscooperation among farmers, businessmen, andthe local government, agriculturalcooperatives will be a major catalyst in theagricultural development.

Marketing concepts such as brandingand the effective use of packaging is also adriving force in the success of JA Yamagata asit gives competitive advantage over importedgoods through the projection of high qualityand being locally manufactured.

There is a great opportunity forPhilippine agriculture products. Havingfarmers' organizations and cooperatives tooperate their own promotion and businessmanagement is a good start to be competitiveparticularly in handling their goods both fordomestic and international markets.

Implications to agricultural development

The author during one of theirfield visits in Japan.

photos courtesy of Dax S. Lorena

BAR conducts...from page 4

beneficial microorganisms.The project aims to increase the

productivity, profitability, and sustainabilityof farmers' farming systems through the useof biofertilizers.

RIARC managers accompanied bythe regional coordinators visited the BPSU,

which serves as one of the pilot sites ofAFCSI for the BioPlus Activator.

The different regions arecurrently drafting their respectiveproposals in preparation of theimplementation of the biofertilizer projectin their respective regions. (Ma. Eloisa E.Hernandez)

The author (left) with officials from the Yamagata GeneralAgricultural Research Center, Japan.

FEATURE NEWS

BAR hronicleC10 BAR hronicleC 3

The Department of Agriculture's(DA) thrust of creating atechnology-based agriculture and

fisheries industry is brought at theforefront as the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) awarded 16 researchersand their outstanding researches in thefields of agriculture and fisheries duringthe culmination of its 19th NationalResearch Symposium (NRS) on 6October 2007 at the Manila Hotel.

Handing over the awards wereAgriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap,BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar, andBAR Asst. Dir. Teodoro S. Solsoloy.

NRS is an annual eventcoordinated by BAR wherein topscientists and researchers from variousstate colleges and universities (SCUs)and premier research institutions gathertogether to present their most promising

BAR awards 16 outstanding

Dr. Kevin F. Yaptenco of UPLB receivesthe AFMA Best R&D Paper (appliedresearch, agriculture category).

Ms. Lorna V. Sancha of PCA receivesBest AFMA R&D Paper (developmentcategory) and Best R&D PosterAward.

Elmer R. Esplana of BAI receives thisyear’s Best AFMA R&D Paper (socio-economics category).

researches and technologies developed andgenerated in the year. It coincides with thecelebration of the National R&D Week,which is observed every first week ofOctober as stated in Proclamation No. 382series of 2000.

This year's entries centered on thetheme: "Agriculture and Fisheries R&DToward Agribusiness Development andAgro-industrialization”.

Winners were awarded based onthe six categories: applied and adaptiveresearches (agriculture), applied andadaptive researches (fisheries),development research, and socio-economics.

Applied research is directedtoward gaining knowledge orunderstanding necessary for determiningthe means by which a recognized andspecific need is met. Adaptive researchrefers to the fine-tuning of newly developedtechnologies necessary to determine theirtechnical feasibility in solving specificneeds related to agricultural and fisheriesproductions and postproduction in agro-ecological and social conditions in location-specific areas.

For the applied research, the studyon “Respiration Modeling of CherryTomato at Different Temperatures forModified Atmosphere PackagingApplications” by Kevin F. Yaptenco of theCollege of Agriculture-University of thePhilippines Los Baños (CA-UPLB), JiGang Kim and Hye Eun Lee of the RuralDevelopment Administration (RDA) SouthKorea, bagged the first prize for the appliedagriculture category.

Meanwhile, the studies on “AComplete Micropropagation System ofAvocado ( Mill.) fromSomatic Embryogenesis to SuccessfulTransplant to Soil and its Application toMutation Breeding” by Renato A. Avenido,Lilian F. Pateña, Julita G. Dimaculangan,Julieta N. Welgas, Jennelyn M. Carandang,Ramon C. Barba of UPLB and the“Production of Kawayan CharcoalBriquette Using Chichacorn ProcessingEffluent as Binder” by Stanley C. Malab,Jose A. Zafaralla, Beatriz S. Malab,Angeline A. Tagay of the Mariano MarcosState University (MMSU) – garnered thesecond and third spots, respectively.

For the adaptive, the study ofRoberto C. Guarte and Marisel T. Andrinoof the Visayas State University (VSU)titled, “Sustainable Production of Plant Oilsin the Philippines” took home the grandprize.

Persea americana

Applied and Adaptive Researches(agriculture)

Second prize went to Rose Mary G.Aquino, Orlando J. Lorenzana, Violeta A.Peralta, and Vanessa Joy V. Fortin of DA-Regional Field Unit II-Cagayan ValleyIntegrated Agricultural Research Center(CVIARC) for their study, “ 2:CVIARC Peanut Crop Improvement ProjectHigh-Yielding Wet Season Variety”.

The third prize went to Severino C.Tumamang, Roynic Y. Aquino, Robert M.Atalin, Buena Allyn C. Malbas, Orlando J.Lorenzana, and Valentino C. Perdido of

for their study, “New OpenPollinated White Flint Corn Varieties in Supportto Food Security in Region 02”.

For the adaptive, the study on“Settlement, Growth and Survival of Post-Larval Abalone ( Feed onDifferent Diatom Diets” by Mario N. Ruinata ofthe Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-Region VIII andUniversity of San Carlos (USC) was awardedthe third place.

For the applied, the first prize went tothe study on “Cortisol Response of Nile Tilapia( ) Subjected to DifferentHatchery Management Stressors” by ApolinarioV. Yambot and

,Ronalie J. Barlis of the

, and Su-Mei Wu of the NationalChiayi University.

The second prize went to the study,“Bio-Piscicide from Physic Nut (

L.) for Aquaculture” by Tereso A.Abella, Julieta D. Holasca, Annabelle A. Tadeo,Jeremiah P. Abella, Rosie B. Reyes, ChristopherD. Del Rosario, May R. Sandoval, Remmele M.Malit, Rosalie R. Rafael, and Gella Patria L.Abella of CLSU. Meanwhile, the study on“Vaccine Against andProbiotics-supplemented Diet Increased theYield of Nile TilapiaCultured during Dry and Wet Seasons inPampanga, Philippines by Apolinario V.Yambot, Ma. Neda A. Catalma, Tereso A.Abella, Isagani P. Angeles of CLSU; Julie-AnneD. Lanuza, Carina M. Tayag of ACE Feeds Inc.;and Annette Ong, Yasuyoshi Miyake ofBiobank Japan – got the third prize.

This refers to output of systematicwork, drawing on existing knowledge gainedfrom research and/or practical experience that isdirected towards producing new materials,products, devices, installing new processes,systems, services, and improving substantiallythose already produced and in use by theintended client.

This year's first prize winner went to

Namnama

Haliotis asinina)

Oreochromis niloticus

Jatrophacurcas

Aeromonas hydrophilla

Oreochromis niloticus

DA-RFU II -CVIARC

Anthony S. Ilano of the

Jonathan V. Lazaro of theCentral Luzon State University (CLSU)

Pampanga AgriculturalCollege (PAC)

Applied and Adaptive Researches (fisheries)

Development Research

next page

photos by RITA DELA CRUZ

How does one prevent environmentdegradation and still providelivelihood for the upland farmers and

in the communities that depend heavily onforest-based resources?

For the case of the Makiling ForestReserve (MFR),

The forest reserve is a major sourceof livelihood for many landless farmers in theadjacent and nearby communities of LosBaños that they have become antagonistic toany government intervention.

Past records show that punitiveactions such as arresting and imprisoningillegal MFR occupants proved ineffectivealong with resettlement endeavors. Forestoccupants return gradually and continue togrow by the numbers.

So like the saying, “if you can't beatthem, join them” the government, instead ofimposing punitive actions to illegal occupants,upland farmers and communities were madepartners in addressing the problems ofenvironmental degradation and poverty in thearea.

The key is to implement aparticipatory upland development programthat is both pro-environment and pro-uplandfarmers.

The Dampalit watershed of the MFRplays a crucial role in the communitiessurrounding it. The watershed is part theMFR's major watershed zones with an area of690 hectares. Its water largely flow into theLaguna Lake where many fish ponds arelocated.

The Laguna Water District gets itswater supply from the watershed distributedamong its four major municipalities including

this is certainly no picnic inthe park.

Why a watershed project?

through projectRita T. dela Cruz

Los Baños, Bay, Calauan, and Calambaand other nearby provinces. The headwaterof the Dampalit Falls is also a populartourist spot among the locals.

To ensure the productive andsustainable management of the watershed,a participatory upland development projectis being implemented by the MakilingCenter for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME)of the University of the Philippines LosBaños College of Forestry and NaturalResources (UPLB-CFNR). This is incollaboration with a farmers' organization-Samahang Magsasaka sa Mataas na Lupang Lalakay sa Bundok Makiling, Inc.(SAMALUP) and the local government ofBrgy. Lalakay.

The project is being implementedfrom April 2006 to 2008 with fundingsupport from the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) in line with its drive toempower the farmers through participatorydevelopment programs.

In general, the two-year projecthopes to address the problems of povertyand environmental degradation throughparticipatory involvement of uplandfarmers making them partners of thegovernment. Consequently, by tappingtheir active participation, the MFR'sresources are being managed and protectedin a sustainable basis and in harmony withthe existing national forestry andenvironmental laws.

Specifically, the project has fourobjectives: 1) determine the current stateand gather benchmark information on theresources, farming systems and socio-economic condition of the farmers; 2)provide knowledge and skills in designing,planning, and developing upland farmingsystems; 3) establish demonstration farmsshowcasing appropriate upland farming

techniques in partnership withfarmer groups; and 4) strengthen thecapabilities of the farmers'organization in uplanddevelopment.

SAMALUP, the farmers'organization involved in the projecthas a lot to say about how thiswatershed project's turn into asuccess.

According to SAMALUP formerPresident Martin P. Onico, he washappy that what he had envisionedmore than a decade ago is slowlybeing realized now through thisproject. This, he revealed during the

celebration of the Farmers' Day and 14th

Forging ties with farmers' org

Founding Anniversary of SAMALUP on 14October 2007, Brgy. Lalakay, Los Baños,Laguna.

“This project provided us adequateinformation, skills, and means of livelihoodwhich enable us to go on our farmingactivities without compromising the forest,”Onico added.

Attending the activities wereinstitutional representatives that areinstrumental in the implementation of theproject.

Lalakay Barangay ChairmanGaudencio P. Macatangay highlighted theimportance of the project not only for thecommunities benefitting from the watershedbut also its impact to the environment as awhole. He said that, through this project thereis a great chance that the next generationwould be able to enjoy clean and safe water.He added that, this participatory developmentproject serves as a model for other nearbycommunities to adopt and follow.

Meanwhile, BAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar stressed that povertyneed not immediately lead to environmentaldegradation. In a message read by Ms. EvelynH. Juanillo, he emphasized that, uplandfarmers resort to natural resources misuse tosurvive. “They depend heavily on these forestresources for their basic needs and unless weteach them on the importance of sustainabledevelopment, there will come a time when theforest resource will no longer be there for thenext generation to enjoy.”

He added that this watershed projectis a great proof that upland farmers can co-exist in harmony with their marginalenvironments.

Los Baños Mayor Caesar P. Perezcommended the people behind this projectand hoped that the it will be emulated andreplicated in other communities. Heemphasized the importance of upland farmers'participation in this endeavor and hoped thattheir income-generating capability will soonimprove.

Also present during the activitywere UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco,SAMALUP President Juanito S. Mercado,UPLB-CFNR Dean Ramon A. Razal, andMCME Director Portia G. Lapitan.

Dampalit Falls

SAMALUP founder and former president, Martin P.Onico briefs visitors on how their associationwas established 14 years ago.

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

photo courtesy of MCME

researches in agri & fisheriesEmpowering upland communities

Dampalit watershed

NEWS FEATURE

BAR hronicleC4

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BAR hronicleC 9

Asec Salacup keynotes techno forum for Mindanao cluster

the study, “Farm Level TechnologyAdoption towards Entrepreneurship toOvercome Poverty in Coconut GrowingCommunity: The Case of Feimco inMaitum, Sarangani Province” by ErleneC. Manohar, Elisa P. Gabi, Lorna V.Sancha of the Philippine CoconutAuthority (PCA)- Region XII.

The second prize was bagged byresearchers from DA RFU I – IlocosIntegrated Agricultural Research Center(ILIARC) led by Jovita M. Datuin, MaryJane B. Alcedo, Josefina P. Bueno,Melinda G. Calumpit, Joey Warren A.Bragado, Edmundo M. Quinit, and LizaL. Ronquillo for their study on“Enhancing Goat Production ThroughPublic and Private Partnership in RegionI”.

Meanwhile, the last spot wasawarded to the study, “Community-basedParticipatory Action Research on BananaDevelopment Program (CPAR-BDP) inSarangani Province” by Rogaciano J.Lumen, Jessie A. Lumbao, Jose L.Malaque, Loreto I. Pagarigan, Eddie A.Ampodia, Crisaida Peralta, and WilliamBustamante of DA RFU XII – CentralMindanao Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (CEMIARC).

This research deals with peopleand institutions including governance,politics, economics, sociology, andanthropology, focuses on methods ofparticipatory research, monitoring andevaluation of technological packages withregard to adoption and impact, andcontributions to policy-related issuespertaining to agriculture and fisheriesproduction.

The grand prize was awarded tothe study, “Development in the Supply

Socio-economics Research

Chain of the Philippine Goat Industry: AnAssessment” by Elmer R. Esplana, Lary NelB. Abao, and Rolando M. Vasquez of theBureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

The study, “Social Equity andPublic Policy Dimensions of Innovative Riceand Corn Technologies” by Linda M.Peñalba, Aida O. Grande, and Flordeliza A.Sanchez of UPLB garnered the second spot.

The third spot belonged to LilibethG. Miralles, Pablo B. Pedrera, and MarichuM. Padayao of the Visayas State University(VSU) for their study, “Social ProfileCharacterizing Adoption of AgriculturalTechnologies, N. Leyte, Philippines”.

Winners of the “AFMA Best R&DPaper” received P20,000 cash and trophy.Second and third prize winners went homewith their trophies and cash prizes amountingto P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

The AFMA Best poster winnerswere chosen from the submitted posters ofthe different papers presented during theNRS.

This year's winner went to thestudy, “Farm Level Technology Adoptiontowards Entrepreneurship to OvercomePoverty in Coconut Growing Community:The Case of Feimco in Maitum, SaranganiProvince” by Erlene C. Manohar, Elisa P.Gabi, Lorna V. Sancha of PCA-Region XII.They received P7,000 cash prize and atrophy.

The second and third runners-upwent to the posters, “Production of KawayanCharcoal Briquette Using ChichacornProcessing Effluent as Binder” of MMSU;and “Namnama 2: CVIARC Peanut CropImprovement Project High Yielding WetSeason Variety” of the DA-RFU II-CVIARC.They received P5,000 and P3,000 cash prizesand trophies. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

AFMA Best Poster

BAR awards...from page 3

Dedication, passion, andefficiency– these are the qualitiesthat made the research on

“Efficacy of Locally-developedInactivated Oil Emulsion NewcastleDisease (ND) Vaccine in NativeChicken” to win the Philippine Society ofAnimal Science (PSAS) award for thehealth and welfare research category.

The award was given during the

closing ceremony of the 44 ScientificSeminar and Annual Convention on 18-19 October 2007 held at the CSBInternational Conference Center andHotel, Malate, Manila.

The research is a jointcollaboration project of the DA RegionalField Unit –VII and the Bureau of

th

Locally-developed ND vaccine wins PSAS AwardAnimal Industry (BAI). The mainresearcher, Dr. Rachel B. Cadeliña,agricultural center chief of the BiologicsVaccine Production Laboratory in theregion said that, her team was working onthe vaccine for two years specificallywithin Region VII.

The research including laboratoryand field experiments is supported by BARthrough a research grant for poultry andlivestock program. It used locally-producedvaccine through HemagglutinationInhibition (HI) technique and challengetest. The technology on vaccineproduction was assisted by a Japanesevolunteer together with Filipinoresearchers whose main goal is to producelocal vaccine.

Results revealed that the localvaccine can irradicate the ND even withinthe free range production managementsystem of native chicken. To be successful,it is advised that native chicken raisers muststrictly follow clean and sanitizedmanagement system and incorporate the useof the ND vaccine for better productionefficiency.

Plans of ND vaccination in theentire Visayas zone and selected Mindanaoareas are now in their final stage and areready for expansion. Given the utility andapplication of the locally ND vaccine, a100% survival rate is expected when appliedproperly compared to zero or unvaccinatednative chicken during productionmanagement. (.

Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD.)

O

The local onion industry

nions are practicallyessential in the everyday lives ofFilipinos. For every cook, it is an

important food seasoning that renders a spicyand pungent taste to their dishes. For thehealth conscious ones, onions are excellentsource of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiberand folic acid. Likewise, it has antioxidantswhich help delay slow oxidative damage tocells. For the farmers, onions are cash cropswhich can give high returns considering thehigh demand and high market price of for thecrop in the domestic and foreign markets.Onions can be sold at PhP27.50/kg towholesale and PhP38.61/kg at retail price.

Over the past years, the productionof onion in the country is slightly increasingto meet the local demand. The domesticconsumption of onion in 2003 was estimatedat 64,443 metric tons (MT) equivalent to PhP2,488.14 million increasing to highproduction of 86,741 MT in 2004. However,despite the increase in farm productivity ofonions, the influx of cheap imports of freshand chilled onions impedes the developmentof the local onion industry. Reports ofsmuggled onions also badly affected the localonion growers.

In response to this dilemma,Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yaprecognized the need for a roadmap of theonion industry, with focus on increasing theproductivity of onion growers and thetapping of more markets for onionsproduced.

Being able to proactively respond

(Allium cepa)

Ellaine Grace L. NAGPALA

to market demand and opportunities is thekey to a successful venture with onions. Theweak structural integration of the criticalresources and information in production,postharvest facilities, marketing, and creditplays a vital role in making strategicdecisions, especially in the agribusinesssector.

A successful onion industry isdependent on the interlocking decisions,timing, and effective management ofresources. It has vital implications on fundallocation, access to postharvest facilitiesand institutional market.

In this case, the Bureau ofAgricultural Research in partnership with theOptiserve Technologies, Inc. and DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) cameup with an information and communicationstechnology (ICT) intervention that aims toestablish a field-level business processmanagement system.

The Operation of an OnionResource Management Systems orOPREMS is an ICT-based project of BARand Optiserve that will allow farmers andtheir cooperatives effectively manage thesupply chain of onion. It is an enterpriseresource planning solution developed toestablish process-driven information whichcan be shared by the key players in the onionindustry.

Thru the project, the onion farmersand their organizations will be equipped withICT tools to organize, process, and accessmission-critical data for planning,

Introducing OPREMS

production, resource allocation and marketing.With the establishment of the necessary ICTtools, an onion resource management system(OPREMS) will be installed andoperationalized initially in Northern andCentral Luzon to monitor the supply flow ofonion at any given time, at the same time,monitor the activities of onion growers andtraders, and effectively link the farmers toprospect markets.

The project's entry-point is theestablishment of OPREMS in the top five onionproducing areas in the country. Informationsuch as farmer's profile and production detailswill be encoded and uploaded utilizing the e-Pinoy Farms platform developed by Optiserve.Approximately 5,000 farmers will be enrolledin the OPREMS from the provinces of NuevaEcija, Nueva Vizacaya, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan,and Tarlac. The information that will begathered will be integrated with the currentbody of knowledge in onion production systemfor strategic decision-making, i.e. expendituresin production inputs, postharvest facilities,agricultural credit portfolio or advance sellingof produce to institutional markets. Moreover,the OPREMS can be considered as a one-stop-shop where information can be exchangedamong various partners and stakeholders.

OPREMS heavily banks on the useand interpretation of information for strategicdecision-making. Hence, data gatheringbecomes a crucial step for the success of theimplementation of the project.

Once the information exchangestructure is established, both producers andconsumers will be linked to an on-line auction-type marketplace, or the e-Pinoy marketplace.

With the implementation ofOPREMS, the onion farmers are expected tobecome information sensitive when in comes todecision making. Likewise, onion farmers arewilled to become entrepreneurs andagribusiness managers thru effectivemanagement of resources, thereby leading to amore productive onion industry. OPREMS isalso expected to provide access to the criticalinformation from its database houses todifferent program implementers and policy-makers specifically in the provision of vitalsupport services for the onion industry.

What is expected

photo by RUETH T. CABRAL

industry with

Onions are stacked in a packing house inNueva Ecija ready to be hauled.

World Food Day...from page 1

and universities (SCUs), attended theseminar on 4 October 2007 at the RDMIC4th Floor Conference Room, Visayas Ave.,Diliman, Quezon City and on 6 October2007 at the World Trade Center, Manila.

One of the highlights of the WFDcelebration is the National On the SpotPoster Making Contest. This activity wasmade possible through in collaboration withthe Department of Education (DepEd).Students from Grade IV to VI from thedifferent public schools in Metro Manila andDepEd accredited private schools wereencouraged to join. Students showed theirartistic minds and talents in interpreting thetheme, “The Right to Food”. PresidentGloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Secretary Yapawarded the trophies and cash prizes to the

Poster-making contest

winners at Pritil Public Market during itsinauguration as one of the Barangay FoodTerminals (BFTs) on 16 October 2007.BFTs serve as venue for quality, safe, andaffordable food.

Culminating this year's celebrationis the worldwide candlelight vigil on the“Right to Food”. Staff members from theDA family, civil society organizations, legaland religious organizations, and civil rightsgroups were enjoined to take part in thismomentous event. The ceremonial lightingof candles was led by Secretary Yapfollowed by the reading of pledge of “Rightto Food”. The activity showed thecommitment of the DA family in ensuringthe right of every Filipino to food. Thusserving as instruments and advocates ineradicating hunger and poverty. (Ma. EloisaE. Hernandez)

Worldwide candlelight vigil

BAR conducts

The issuance of Executive Order 481on “The Promotion andDevelopment of Organic

Agriculture in the Philippines” signed byPresident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,prompted the Department of Agriculture(DA) through the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) to support the “Bio-Organic Fertilizer Production Project”.

During an orientation h

, the Regional Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (RIARC) managers weregiven a briefer on the components of theproject together with the private sectorpartner, Agro-Forestry Crop Systems, Inc.(AFCSI). The orientation was followed byfield visits at the Bataan Peninsula StateUniversity (BPSU), Abucay, Bataan.

As stipulated in the Memorandumof Agreement (MOA) fo the project, BARand AFSCI will establish biofertilizerproduction facilities in the differentexperimental sites of RIARCs.

BAR, through its AgribusinessDevelopment Projects (ADPs), will beresponsible in the adoption anddissemination of technologies on theorganic fertilizer using biodegradableorganic waste. RIARCs will assist on thepromotion of the technology incollaboration with the local governmentunits (LGUs). AFCSI, on the other hand,will provide the manufacturing technologythrough conduct of trainings. It will alsoprovide the BioPlus Activator, a scientificbiological formulation consisting of 25

eld on 2October 2007 at the RDMIC ConferenceRoom

turn to page 2

bio-organic fertilizerorientation

OPREMSOperating the onion

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC8 BAR hronicleC 5

photo courtesy of RFU III

Recognizing his notable efforts andachievements in the field ofresearch management and

administration, Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) Director Nicomedes P.Eleazar is this year's recipient of thedistinguished alumni award from theUniversity of the Philippines Los BañosCollege of Agriculture Alumni Association(UPLBCAAA) and the College ofAgriculture Alumni Awards Committee.

The award was presented duringthe Alumni Fellowship and Awards Night

in celebration of UPLB's 89 Loyalty Dayand Alumni Homecoming held on 9October 2007 at the Baker Hall, UPLB,College, Laguna.

Handing over the certificates andthe trophies for the awardees were UPLBChancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco, UPLBAAPresident Elpidio L. Rosario, and CA DeanCandida B. Adalla.

In the welcome andcongratulatory address of ChancellorVelasco, he commended and recognized thedistinguished alumni awardees for bringing“home a lifework of dedicated service.”

He congratulated them for theircontributions to UPLB and society. He re-echoed what they symbolize for theuniversity saying that “You are exemplarsof the UPLB spirit of service to the nation.You reflect the true meaning of

th

iskolar ng

Eleazar receives distinguishedalumni award from UPLBAA

bayan iskolar para sa bayan, that is: .”Dir. Eleazar was given the

recognition along with other nineawardees who are well-known in theirrespective fields.

They were: ResurreccionBanzon-Apiras (achievement in fine arts),Eladio Baradas (rural youth developmentthrough sports), Emmanuel Cayton(public service-military), Catalino Flores(plant breeding research and agriculturalentrepreneurship), Alfredo Gonzalez(public service and extension), FranciscoPeñalba (swine research and industrydevelopment), Lydia Velasco-Magnaye(agricultural research), Erlinda Rillo(coconut research and development), andVioleta Villegas (science and technology).

Prior to the alumni award,Eleazar is also an outstanding alumnusawardee of the Lourdes Academy in 1992and a recipient of the Gawad Saka of theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) in 1991.

His specialization in the fields ofproject development and implementation;policy studies; and research managementand administration is well recognizedboth here and abroad.

He was a technical consultant invarious international research institutionssuch as the Centre for InternationalAgricultural Research (ACIAR), andFood and Agriculture Organization

(FAO).He led and coordinated various

development projects under the SEAMEORegional Center for Graduate Study andResearch in Agriculture (SEARCA), FAO-United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), Japan International CooperationAgency (JICA), Canada-InternationalDevelopment Research Center (IDRC), andAsian Development Bank (ADB).

Eleazar finished his Bachelor ofScience in Agriculture (Animal Science) fromUPLB in 1981 and his Master of Science inManagement (Project Management) fromCranfield University, England in 1993.

He holds the CESO IV position inthe Career Executive Service (CES) rankingstructure. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

BAR Director Nicomedes P. Elezar

UPLB is where our hearts are. Butalso the UPLB which hasbecome our home has also kept

itself a home in our own hearts”.Thus proudly said by

University of the Philippines Los Baños(UPLB) Chancellor Luis Rey I. Velascoas he welcomed UPLB alumni duringthe Alumni Fellowship and AwardsNight on 9 October 2007 at the BakerHall, UPLB, College, Laguna.

In his message ChancellorVelasco acknowledged the financialsupport of the Department of Agriculture(DA) in the conduct of their researchdevelopment and extension (RDE)activities. This year, DA has releasedPhP 200M worth of projects. UPLB iscurrently working for the release ofanother PhP 200M promised by

UPLB celebrates Loyalty Day; Velasco highlights DA supportSecretary Arthur C. Yap during the UPLB35th Commencement Exercises.

The UPLB Alumni Association(UPLBAA) awarded outstanding alumnifor their significant contributions andaccomplishments in their respective fields.Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR)Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar is one ofrecipients of the Outstanding College ofAgriculture Alumni Award for his notableachievements in the field of researchmanagement and administration.

Other awardees from the DAfamily were Dr. Davinio P. Catbagan,director of the Bureau of Animal Industry(BAI) and Dr. Erlinda P. Rillo, divisionchief of the Philippine Coconut Authority(PCA), Guinobatan, Albay.

The Fellowship Night was part of

the 89 Loyalty Day and Alumnith

Homecoming celebrations.Faculty, staff, students,

jubilarians, and other alumni, togetherwith the different government agencies,civic organizations, and R&D institutionsjoined the traditional foot parade on 10October 2007, bringing with thembanners and flags of their respectiveoffices.

Culminating the event is theceremonial launching of the UPLBcentennial celebration officially unveilingthe centennial logo led by ChancellorVelasco, UP President Emerlinda Roman,and UPLBAA President Elpidio Rosario.

The UPLB Centennial themesong, was also performedmarking the start of the year-longpreparation for the centennial celebrationof UP in 2008.

“Isang Daan”

(Ma. Eloisa E.

Let’s go indigenous!

Oregano wine, oregano juice forhuman, oregano juice for poultry,oregano tea and oregano vinegar.These are just some of the

potential products that can be derived fromthe Philippine oregano (

). This was reported by Dr.Estela C. Taño of the Department ofAgriculture Regional Field Unit IVa -Southern Tagalog Integrated AgriculturalResearch Center (STIARC) during a publicseminar on “Indigenous Plants for Healthand Wellness” conducted by the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR) in celebrationof the Health and Wellness Tourism (HWT)Month.

In many parts of the world,oregano is cultivated for its condiment andculinary use. It's strongly flavored leavesmake an excellent filling for grilled meat,fried vegetables, and other specialty dishesthat need that distinct aromatic flavor.

However, in the Philippines,oregano is mostly known for its medicinalvalue particularly in relieving children'scoughs as claimed by earlier generations

Coleusaromaticus

BAR introduces potential productlines from Philippine oregano

through indigenous knowledge.Dr. Taño revealed that oregano

contains carminative, diaphoretic, tonic,and stimulant chemical and medicinalproperties. Specific contents in oregano arerosmarinic acid compound, and thymolresponsible for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties per document analysis.However, chemical analysis on thecommodity is still to be conducted tosupport and promote these potentialproduct lines.

The fleshy and scaly leaves oforegano are rich in volatile oils whichaccording to Dr. Taño is believed to beresponsible for slowing the process in thespoilage of food therefore minimizing therisk of ingesting harmful microorganisms.She reported that fresh leaves of oreganocan yield to as much as 0.055% volatile oilwhich is largely carvacrol.

The potential products fromPhilippine oregano, as introduced by Dr.Taño, are the results of an indigenoustechnology documentation research efforts

that aim to develop innovative productsfrom indigenous plants, increase awarenessand promotions, and market them togenerate income and sustainablecommunity-based livelihood .

These technologies on production,processing and value-adding are parts of aBAR-funded research through its NationalTechnology Commercialization Program(NTCP), which is a major initiative ofAgriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap on“making business from agriculture.” This isimplicated by creating job opportunities andincome growth created from yield-improving technologies generated fromresearch and development (R&D).

Dr. Taño said that once thetechnologies are perfected, these potentialproduct lines of Philippine oregano willgreatly boost the government's promotion onrural agribusiness.

She added that there is now a greatmarket potential for these kinds of productsespecially because consumers are becomingmore cautious in what they eat. (Rita T. delaCruz)

Siling labuyo (Capsicumfrutescens)

siling labuyo

iling-labuyo

has the potential toreduce the risk of cancer,

cardiovascular diseases, cataract, andmacular degeneration. This wasstressed by Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez,professor from the Institute ofChemistry at the University of the LosBaños (UPLB) in a seminar onindigenous plants for health andwellness at the Bureau of Agricultural

Research (BAR) during its 19 NationalResearch Symposium and incelebration of the 8th NationalAgriculture and Fisheries R&D Week.

Also known as the chilipepper, is among theindigenous plants that the Departmentof Agriculture (DA) promotes throughthe Indigenous Plants for Health andWellness RDE Program” of BAR. Thesaid program aims to promote andhighlight the importance of indigenousplants and its products.

The fruit of s is apopularly used as a spicy and chili

th

A fresh look at siling labuyocondiment while its leaves are usuallyconsumed as vegetables.

In medicinal terms, thefruit was earlier utilized as an herbal plantto ease arthritis and rheumatism. Likewsie,the is an effective cure fordyspepsia, flatulence, and toothache.

“Phytochemicals are what peopleneed to stay healthy,” Dr. Rodriguezstressed in her presentation.

Phytochemicals are chemicalcompounds that are abundant in fruits,vegetables and other plant species. Thesenaturally-occurring compounds which actas anti-oxidants capable of metabolizingfree-radicals in the body that can cause celldeath.

In chili pepper, carotenoids andphenolic acids are the phytochemicals thatcan be derived from its leaves and fruits.

Based on the studies conducted bythe team of Dr. Rodriguez, the anti-oxidantactivity of extracts (300ppm)in terms of free radical scavenging activityis 60.1%. Meanwhile, phenolic content offruit and leaves of are 3536mg/Kg

labuyo

labuyo

siling labuyo

labuyo

and 839mg/Kg fresh sample, respectively.Dr. Roriguez encouraged eating

a variety of fruits and vegetables toacquire the phytochemicals present inthem along with its promising health andwellness benefits.

Moreover, Dr. Rodriguezpointed that more studies should be doneon and with otherindigenous plants like . Thepotential disease-preventive mechanismsof pyhytochemicals in fruits, vegetablesand their constituents are not limited toantioxidant activity only. Thephytochemicals can also act in themodulation of detoxification enzymes,stimulation of the immune system,alteration of cholesterol mechanism, andblood pressure reduction.

siling labuyomalunggay

(Ellaine GraceL. Nagpala)

photo courtesy of BAR Album

NEWS NEWS

BAR hronicleC6 BAR hronicleC 7

All about Moringa Oleifera

Innovative, authentic, affordable andnutritious malunggay-based recipesare the important factors necessary

to win this contest. This was shown bythe creativity and artistry skills of Nieva

Josefina M. Marcelino and Jonnah LaineV. Toy for their winning recipe,

.The winning recipe was

prepared by the students from FlorentinoTorres High School in Tondo, Manila. Itincludes malunggay leaves and fruit asmain ingredients due to their nutritionalvalue together with sweet potato, carrotpulp and milk, butter, onions, garlic andsugar to taste. For the juice, acombination of malunggay, carrot juiceand calamansi with sugar were blendedto complement the combo.

The recipeprepared by Joanne Cammille De Lunaand Ma. Vanilyn Bilbao of Pasay SouthHigh School won the first runner-up andthe recipeby Rowena M. Anislagon and EdgelynM. Garcia of the Holy Spirit National

malunggay combo with malunggay andcarrot juice

vegetable jardenera

malunggay California maki

High School of Quezon City.Winners were annouced

during the awarding of the O! MayGulay Cooking Contest on 6 October2007 during theAgriLink/AquaLink/FoodLinkcelebration at the World Trade Center,Metro Manila.

The grand winner receivedPhp 20,000 plus an exposure trip toBaguio for the whole class, a trophyand some special awards.

The first and second runners-up received Php 15,000 plus anexposure trip to Tagaytay for the wholeclass, and a trophy; and Php 10,000 anda trophy, respectively.

Department of AgricultureSecretary Arthur C. Yap awarded thecash prices and personallycongratulated the winners. (

)Dr.

Marlowe U. Aquino

Winning recipe: Malunggay combowith malunggay and carrot juice

photoby

NIC

AN

OR

B. D

EL

RO

SA

RIO

III

Nutritious malunggay-based recipe wins 2007 Agri-Cookfest

Anoodle company is eyeing

malunggay for thebiofortification of noodles as

part of its commitment to support theprogram to fight malnutrition which isprevalent in the countryside, saidDirector Alice Ilaga of theBiotechnology Program Office (BPO) ofthe Department of Agriculture (DA).

Given the nutritional value ofmalunggay, it can also be used infortifying other products includingsauces, juices, milk, and bread.

Food company eyes the potentialof malunggay for biofortification

Fortification of food is just oneof the many marketing potentials ofmalunggay that the private sector couldtap and adopt given that the Departmentis strategically positioning itself to boostits commercial production.

Although currently, thePhilippines is still in the midst ofdeveloping the local market formalunggay and its various product lines,the industry is slowly on its way tobecome a global competitor with thehelp of DA's Biotechnology Program.

Biofortification of food crops isone of the most promising new tools ofscience today to fight malnutrition andsave lives.

This approach is a newparadigm in the field of agriculture, theresults of which focus on providingbetter food to poor people and not justproviding them with bulk.

This approach is in sync with

the millennium development goals that arebeing implemented by agriculturalorganizations all over theworld—eradicating hunger, reducing childmortality, and improving maternalhealth.

Essentially, biofortification is theprocess of breeding food crops that arerich in bioavailable micronutrients. Inother words, these crops are being“loaded” with high levels of minerals andvitamins in their seeds and roots, whichare then harvested and eaten.

Through biofortification, farmersare provided with crop varieties thatnaturally reduce nutrition-related healthproblems. (Rita T. dela Cruz with reportsfrom Biolife)

Malunggay-fortified noodles

photocourtesy

ofdelhiplanet.com

photo courtesy of tree-nation.com

Here's a new refreshing way ofconsuming the lowlymalunggay vegetable.Following the massive

campaign of the several health benefitsfrom malunggay, a line of malunggay-based products have been released inthe market. There is the malunggay oilfor cooking, which can be used as analternative to olive oil; the malunggaypowder that can be used as flavoring oradditive to pre-processed food productssuch as noodles and pandesal;malunggay tablets are also made as ahealth supplement.

Still, the list of malunggay-based products is growing because ofthe nutrients that can be derived fromthe vegetable, hence the innovation ofrefreshments from malunggay.

After the discovery of aJapanese businessman on the healthbenefits from malunggay, Mr. MitsuoShoji developed the malunggay tea,

Beverage from malunggay

photo courtesy of static.flckr.com

which he claims can cure many humandiseases. Malunggay in tea bags are nowwidely sold in the market, which aredeveloped by Mr. Shoji's company andother companies in the private sector

Meanwhile, Dr. EdwinBalbarino of the Visayas Stae Universityreported that malunggay juice isextracted from the leaves of thevegetable in Leyte. The extract is mixedwith lemonsito juice to produce icedcandies or cold drinks for children whonormally do not like eating vegetables.

The malunggay, also termed asmoringa, is a vitamin rich vegetable, andcontains protein, iron and potassium. Itcontains anti-oxidants that suppress theactivities of free-radicals, which causescell death.

As part of its campaign tocombat poverty, malnutrition and otherhealth disorders, the Department ofAgriculture (DA) promotes the plantingand consumption of moringa.

Malunggay can be planted using seeds andcuttings. The development of malunggay-based products and its commercializationis likewise promoted by DA. (EllaineGrace E. Nagpala)

Consider these the “in thing” forhealth and wellness, thenutraceuticals and

cosmeceuticals derived from food cropsare here to stay.

This was revealed by Dr.Evelyn B. Rodriguez of the Institute ofChemistry, University of the Philippines

BAR promotes nutraceuticals andcosmeceuticals derived from food crops

photo by RITA DELA CRUZ

Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez of UPLB lecturesnutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals fromfood crops.

Los Baños (UPLB) who has beenresearching on specific crops for thispurpose.

Presented during the opening

ceremony of the 19 National ResearchSymposium (NRS) at the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), thenutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals couldhelp enhance beauty and wellness.

In her presentation, Dr.Rodriguez defined nutraceuticals as foodsubstances or a part of a food thatprovides medical or health benefitsincluding the prevention and treatment ofdiseases.

Meanwhile, cosmeceuticals areintended to enhance beauty because theseare ingredients present in fruits (exfoliateand improve circulation), chamomileflower (anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterialsand calms irritated skin), green tea andvegetables (anti-oxidant), tamarind(immunostimulation), coconut(moisturize, repairs rough and dry skin,heals wound).

To support these claims, one ofthe studies conducted by Dr. Rodriguez

th

showed that rice bran and rice bran oil areamong the most important sources offunctional components of nutraceuticalsand cosmeceuticals. Although rice branhas been propagated worldwide, this isunderutilized and poorly used for humanconsumption.

Rice bran and rice bran oilcontain which is claimed toprevent bone loss, serves as antioxidant,and promotes skin capillary circulation.It also contains phytic acid, -Inositolwhich has anti-cancer, antioxidant,properties for blood regulation andstimulation, regeneration of the liver cell,and management of kidney and gallbladder stones.

Furthermore, yellow flowerfrom squash is said to be rich in lutein.

Lutein is a substance that helpsmaintain good eyesight and functions tofilter high energy blue light which lowersthe risk for cataract development andprevent muscular degeneration, theprincipal cause of irreversible blindnessin the elderly, she added.

γ-Oryzanol

Myo

(Dr. Marlowe U.Aquino)