Two papers emerged as winners in the S&T Awards and Recognition Ceremony in commemoration of the 8th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). The ceremony was held at the Philippine International Convention Center on June 19, 2019.
The winning paper for the best research was titled “Enhancing Milk Production of Dairy Goats through Indigofera zollingeriana Supplementation” of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), while the best paper for the development category was titled Community-based Participatory Action Research (CPAR) on Integrated rice-based farming system management: Approach towards Community-driven Agricultural Development in Ilocos Norte” of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 1 (DA-RFO 1).
The CLSU study showed that feeding Indigofera-based pellets (IBP) to lactating does would result in higher performance. Based on results of the study, the researchers developed SFEED (Indigofera-based), a nutritionally-balanced blend of a forage-legume with Indigofera zollingeriana as basal ingredient to solve the lingering problem of feed scarcity.
It was led by Edgar A. Orden, Neal A. Del Rosario, Rhanny L. Gonzales, Loretta C. Romero, and Jovani S. Galamgam.
Under the DFA-RFO 1 study, on the other hand, farmers benefitted from an increased cropping pattern from 20 hectares (ha) to 60.4 ha and a high net return amounting to ₱33,728/ha (444.51% increase) in rainfed areas and ₱66,394/ha (164% increase) in irrigated areas.
Researchers Mark Ariel L. Agresor, Melinda G. Calumpit, Evelyn de los Reyes, Justina Sacro, Joi Labii, and Eliemar Ragadi conducted the study.
Other winners in the research category
The project, “Spore Bank Establishment, Propagation, and Conservation” of the Central Mindanao University (CMU) garnered the 2nd place of the research category. The study addresses the decline of ferns biodiversity in the country by populating the spore bank in the university. The spore bank contains 770 collections of spores from 120 species of ferns.
Victor B. Amoroso, Fulgent P. Coritico, Chris Rey M. Lituañas, and Aurfeli D. Nietes led the study.
Lastly, DA-RFO 9’s project, “Innovation of Root Trainer Technique and Precision Grafting Technology for Rapid Propagation of Quality Planting Materials of Rubber” won the 3rd place.
The study seeks to provide quality planting materials of rubber using the root trainer technology. The technology speeds up the growth of seedlings in 5-6 months compared with the conventional method of sowing one whorl of rubber seeds in budded polybags, which takes 8-10 months.
The project was conducted by Ernie C. Camacho, Engr. Roger O. Bagaforo, Michael F. Molina, and Fritz Hork J. Noay.
Development category
For the development category, the project, “Technology Demonstration and Promotion of Mechanized Rice Farming in the Lowland Irrigated Areas in Region 2” by DA-RFO 2 won 2nd place. It aims to increase the level of rice production through the use of machines such as the Mechanical Direct Seeder and Transplanter.
Researchers Generoso M. Oli, Eva J. Ventura-Eslava, Eddie T. Rodriguez, Quirino L. Asuncion, Fidel R. Cabantac, Arlyn J. Beltran, Zarina Pini, Lloyd C. Cantor, Elme J. Malamnao, and Ferdinand R. Serquina conducted the study.
Lastly, the project, “Enhancing Mungbean Production in Bicol Region” of DA-RFO 5 won 3rd place. It employs the strategy of crop diversification to maximize land use and increase income and productivity.
Luz R. Marcelino, Henrilyn R. Yamson, Danilo Bordon, Nellie Passion, and Edgar R. Madrid conducted the said project.
The Best R&D Paper Award recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of R&D in the country for the interest of the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sector.