Central Mindanao University (CMU) and Cavite State University (CvSU) bested the research and development (R&D) papers presented during the annual National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD).
NSAARRD is conducted yearly by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD). It recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the country’s state of R&D in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector in two award categories: Best Research Paper and Best Development Paper.
The winners were recognized during DOST-PCAARRD’s 50th Founding Anniversary themed, “Tatak GALÍNG, gáling PCAARRD: Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence in AANR Innovations” held on November 10, 2022 at the Council’s headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Best Research Papers
The paper, “Biodiversity Inventory, Assessment, and Conservation for Ecotourism Development in Mount Agad-Agad, Lanao del Norte” of CMU bagged the first place.
The research inventoried the flora and fauna species and established a nursery of threatened and economically important plants at the base of Mount Agad-Agad.
The study also supported the legislated barangay resolutions proclaiming Mt. Agad-Agad as a Local Conservation Area for ecotourism development with potential livelihood opportunities.
The paper, “Sustainable Production, Marketing, and Utilization of True-to-Type Bolinao Chicken in Ilocos Region,” was awarded second place under the research category. This study was implemented by the Mariano Marcos State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Pangasinan State University, and Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College.
The project detailed the diverse qualitative discrete characteristics of Bolinao native chicken and established the technology transfer and partnership with the private sector that will help increase the production of Bolinao native chicken.
The third place was awarded to Cavite State University for the paper, “DNA Fingerprinting of Philippine Coffee (Coffea spp.).”
The research identified the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers that can efficiently reveal genetic diversity and discriminate among the commercially cultivated coffee species and varieties in the Philippines. Results of the study showed that Coffea arabica and Coffeea canephora are relatively low in genetic diversity, while Coffea liberica was moderately diversified.
Best Development Papers
For the development category, the first place was awarded to CvSU for the paper, “Piloting and Commercialization of Specialty Coffee Blends.”
The project demonstrated that the commercialized coffee food products developed by the university were highly acceptable. The project also capacitated partner-beneficiaries to process their own coffee products and provided them with additional income-generating opportunities.
The paper, “Establishment of Zampen Native Chicken Breeding Population with Improved Egg Production and Growth Performance” by J.H. Cerilles State College bagged second place.
The results of the project improved the Zamboanga Peninsula Native Chicken or ZamPen’s egg production, fertility growth rate, egg weight gain, viability of day-old chicks, and hatchability rate through organized breeding and selection with conserved phenotypic characteristics and good local environment adaptability.
The third place was awarded to Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 2 for the paper, “Enhancement and Commercialization of Developed Mungbean-Based Food Products in Cagayan Valley.” The study showed that the developed mungbean-based food products in Region 2 were at par with the existing products in the market