Budding researchers in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR) sectors are in for a big boost.
Through Republic Act 7917 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act (BCDA), the Department of Science and Technology released an initial P1.82 million to PCAARRD to strengthen the National Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Network’s capabilities to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate research programs/ projects.
The law provides, among others, S&T scholarships and training programs for young Filipino scientists.
Titled “Capability building for budding researchers in the AANR sectors,” the P4-million project props up PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Plans (ISPs).
ISPs set the direction for S&T in the AANR sectors. They describe the targets for each industry and pinpoint the aspects where S&T can make a real difference. They also present the specific activities under each of PCAARRD’s banner programs.
The BCDA’s strengthening project will pursue the following concerns:
- Gene-based breeding and selection of swine and poultry to fast track the development of Philippine signature breeds of chicken, duck, and pigs;
- Traceability system for livestock and poultry to ensure food safety and enhance export opportunities for livestock and poultry products;
- Sago palm management to sustain increased productivity of sago palm plantations in the country;
- Coconut and plant micropropagation techniques to increase supply of planting materials for major crops at lower costs;
- Infra-red technology for drying and analysis of crop commodities;
- Geographic Information System for aquaculture research planning and management; and
- Taxonomic identification of Philippine sea cucumbers and other marine invertebrates for more effective species specific resource management.
The BCDA project will also work out the enhancement in the current ISP technologies and their commercial application, process, and systems. Its success will be measured by the re-entry plan of the project beneficiaries in relation to the implementation of the ISPs.
The lack of research management capabilities has been a problem affecting the country’s AANR sectors. The fact that a significantly large percentage of the country’s S&T workforce is soon to retire further compounds the problem.
Fortunately, fast tracking the development of capabilities of young, budding scientists to meet the country’s development agenda is now being addressed through the BCDA project.