Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development-Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), presented the Council’s updates on the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA).
This was during the National Research and Development Conference (NRDC) at the Philippine International Convention Center on April 20, 2018.
Spearheaded by DOST, in consultation with government and private research and development institutions, the academe, industry and other concerned agencies, the HNRDA 2017-2022 ensures that results of S&T initiatives will yield their maximum economic and social benefits.
The HNRDA exemplifies DOST’s resolve in providing central direction, leadership and coordination of the scientific and technological efforts with the end goal of articulating national priorities and providing a guide for public investment in R&D to achieve inclusive socio-economic growth.
Titled, Science and Technology for a Vibrant Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Sector, Ebora’s presentation tackled the updates on the HNRDA in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector. The AANR sector focuses on priority commodities under the Crops, Livestock, Inland Aquatic, Marine, Forestry and Natural Resources. Each commodity has a defined roadmap, which is a product of consultations among the stakeholders.
A roadmap contains the commodity baseline and benchmark, industry targets and gaps that can be addressed through S&T, as well as the S&T interventions with defined timeline.
DOST-PCAARRD’s R&D Investment
Ebora explained that for 2017-2018, PCAARRD has 328 ongoing projects with a total investment of P1.2B. Of these ongoing projects, 105 are in the crops, 40 in livestock, 29 in aquatic resources, 16 in forestry, and 22 in the environment and natural resources sectors.
Ebora added that the Council has also 74 ongoing projects in technology transfer and commercialization and 31 ongoing projects in socio-economics and policy research.
R&D Accomplishments
Ebora’s presentation highlighted the accomplishments of DOST-PCAARRD’s collaborations with its partner agencies. On agriculture, parallel efforts of DOST-PCAARRD and DA-BAR addressed the banana Fusarium wilt problem that led to the adoption of two banana cultivars, which are highly and moderately resistant against the pathogen and now commercially used in rehabilitating severely affected farms. This is a collaborative effort of the Bioversity International, USeP, UPLB-IPB, and BPI-Davao.
On coconut, 200 plantlets per plumule can now be derived through coconut somatic embryogenesis technology (Cset) compared with the traditional one plantlet generated from one seednut – a breakthrough developed through the leadership of the Philippine Coconut Authority.
The Philippine Genome Center’s collaboration with other agencies resulted in the whole genome sequencing of two heirloom varieties and identification of molecular markers for highly desirable characteristics, which are useful in the coconut breeding program. Also noteworthy is the development of biocontrol-based management and integrated control strategies to address the coconut scale insect infestation in Zamboanga and Basilan.
On livestock, significant progress was reported in the contributions of the R&D Program on Native Animals that led to the establishment of seven purified breeding herds in research stations; four Philippine native chicken breeds through selection, coupled with the development of free range production and feeding protocols; and the development of three strains of genetically superior duck, the Itik Pinas which is a genetically superior duck with 3 strains (Itik Pinas Itim, Itik Pinas Khaki, and Itik Pinas Kayumanggi). Itik Pinas and its three named strains are all registered trademarks.
In the aquatic subsector, the Floating and Permanent Structure Type seaweed dryers that have improved the quality of dried seaweeds and thus, can command higher prices in the market, have been developed. The use of raft and longline culture technologies for mussel and oyster production are well appreciated by early adopters and are now ready for technology roll out in selected areas in Luzon and Visayas. Studies on coral biodiversity led to the first documentation of mesophotic resources in Abra de Ilog and Apo Reef involving 17 coral species. This information is part of the three published handbooks, which are invaluable references for researchers and students.
The discovery of rich biodiversity information in the Philippine Rise, formerly known as Benham Rise, was through the collaborative efforts among DOST-PCAARRD, UP-MSI, UP-NIGS, UPLB-SESAM, DA-BFAR, DENR-BMB, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and Oceana Philippines. The resulting two publications are important references for further researches in the area and basis for future policy formulation.
The Forestry’s Biodiversity Program on the other hand, gave significant outputs in terms of conservation of selected economically-important ferns, vines, and native tree species.
With PCAARRD being a major player in the concern of addressing climate change, Ebora also presented the Council’s collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and other partners in the conduct of the program, Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry (SARAI) in the Philippines.
The SARAI program is designed to be a nationwide online platform for smarter decisions on agricultural farming activities. It is implemented by UPLB in collaboration with selected state colleges and universities (SUCs), local government units (LGUs), and private partners.
On IPRs and Technology Commercialization
Speaking on the Council’s technology transfer initiatives, Ebora presented the Council’s technology commercialization services and outputs, particularly those on intellectual property rights (IPRs) concerns.
These include 75 prior arts search reports; 45 IPR applications; 46 freedom to operate reviews; 16 technology valuation reports; 14 market studies/ business plans; and 4 licensing agreements for technology commercialization.
The Council affirms the importance of these concerns in being able to revolutionize agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) technology transfer and accelerate the impact of the hundreds of technologies that it has helped generated for the AANR sector.
Strengthening Science and Technology Infrastructures
In terms of S&T infrastructure, Ebora reported the Council’s share in the implementation of the Niche Centers in the Region for R&D (NICER).
The program aims to capacitate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in undertaking quality research that will contribute to regional development through upgrading of S&T infrastructure.
The Isabela State University (ISU) became the first Niche Center for fisheries in Region II. It has a Department of Science and Technology (DOST) grant of P18 M for the program.
Other Niche Centers as approved and funded by the Council, include the Citrus Research Center of the Nueva Viscaya State University (NVSU); Eastern Visayas Center for Crustacean R&D of the Samar State University (SSU); Mollusk R&D Center of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV); and Biodiversity Center of the Cebu Technological University (CTU).
Ebora also presented the Council’s share in the implementation of DOST’s Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE).
The program encourages synergistic relationship between the academe, research and development institutions, and the industry through collaborative research and development projects.
Under this program, the private sector industry identifies the problem, while the HEI or Research and Development Institution undertakes the R&D to solve the problem.
“The University of Southeastern Philippines (USep), in partnership with PCAARRD, adopts the program with the implementation of its Synergized Academe-Industry Research Undertaking to Improve Productivity through Development of Banana Diseases Surveillance,” Ebora explained.
Capacity Building
In line with DOST-PCAARRD’s initiatives to upgrade the capability of the R&D staff in the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN), the Council continuously provides scholarship grants to holders of a permanent position in any NAARRDN member agency through the DOST-PCAARRD Human Resource Development Program (HRDP).
The Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (GREAT) Program is one of the opportunities offered by the Council in terms of capacity building. Currently the program supports 33 graduate scholars in agriculture-related fields.
Other developments
The NRDC also gave way for the presentation of accomplishments of selected completed and ongoing R&D programs and projects as well as updates on technology transfer from government-funded R&D programs and projects.
Carrageenan as a yield booster and inducer of plant resistance was reported by Dr. Gil Magsino of the National Crop Protection Center-UPLB; SARAI’s Enhanced Monitoring System was discussed by Dr. Vicente G. Ballaran, Jr. of UPLB; Itik Pinas as an innovation for a sustainable duck egg industry by Dr. Synan S. Baguio of DOST-PCAARRD; Use of longline as a sustainable method of growing mussels was expounded by Dr. Carlos Baylon of UPV; and Shrimp disease detection was presented by Dr. Mary Beth Maningas of the University of Santo Tomas.