The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) held its National Symposium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on 22 October 2021. Three papers each were presented in the Research and Development categories, respectively. Before the top three papers in each category were identified, papers on R&D conducted in the Philippines during the last two years were submitted as entry/ies and evaluated by a screening committee.
The University of the Philippines Mindanao entry entitled “Giving Farmers Uwen Fananafedew: Improving Agricultural Extension Policy in Conflict-Vulnerable Areas through the Livelihood Improvement through Facilitated Extension (LIFE) Model” presented by Dr. Emma Ruth V. Bayogan competed in the Development Category. The paper is a product of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded program entitled “Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities in Conflict-Vulnerable Areas in Mindanao through the LIFE (Livelihood Improvement through Facilitated Extension) Model”, which aimed to establish improved, sustainable, and resilient community-based livelihoods for the conflict-vulnerable areas in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR) sector in Mindanao. The program ran from December 2017 to April 2021 and was implemented in Surallah, South Cotabato; Datu Abdullah Sangki and Ampatuan, Maguindanao; and Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay. The paper won Best Paper in the Development Category during the Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium’s Regional Symposium on Research Development and Extension Highlights in Davao City on 29 September 2020.
UP Mindanao’s paper went against Benguet State University’s “Disaster Reduction of Climate Change Impacts on Vegetable Terrace Farms in Benguet” presented by Prof. Alexander W. Fagyan and Central Luzon State University’s “Sustainable Homegrown Forages and Complete Nutrient Diet Towards Enhancing Growth and Milk Production of Dairy Buffaloes in Nueva Ecija and San Agustin, Isabela” presented by Dr. Daniel L. Aquino.
Three papers competed in the Research Category: “Saving the Imperiled Marilog Forests in Southern Mindanao, Philippines: Inventory, Assessment and Conservation for Sustainable Community Utilization” presented by Dr. Victor B. Amoroso of the Central Mindanao University; University of Southeastern Philippines’ “Development of ROSANNA Banana Diseases Surveillance System” presented by Dr. Gilbert A. Importante; and University of the Philippines Los Baños’s National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology “Zinc Biofortification and Growth Enhancement of Rice and Corn using Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria” presented by Mr. Robert Nepomuceno.
Each team showed a 10-minute pre-recorded presentation and were given 10 minutes to answer questions from the judges: Dr. Domingo E. Angeles of the Philippine Fruit Association; Dr. Edna A. Anit of the Crop Science Society of the Philippines; Dr. Feliciano G. Calora Jr. of DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas of the Philippine Agricultural Economics and Development Association, Inc.; and Dr. Edwin C. Villar, CESO IV, of the Philippine Society of Animal Science.
Results will be announced during DOST-PCAARRD’s S&T Awards and Recognition on 29 November 2021.
Written by: KS Sigue
Date: 10 November 2021
