The Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation Inc. (PARRFI) Awards recently recognized the winning research projects under the Research and Development categories during the closing ceremonies of SyenSaya 2015: Los Baños Science Festival.
This year, the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-IPB) received the award for the Research category, while the Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research and Development Center (BPI-LBNCRDC) received the award for the Development category.
UPLB-IPB’s winning research paper, Variety Evaluation, On-farm Trials and Seed Production of Organic Vegetables in Southern Luzon, was led by Dr. Rodel G. Maghirang, University Researcher, IPB Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture of UPLB. The research aimed to develop vegetable varieties that will perform well under organic conditions and can produce significant yield comparable or better than the existing commercial varieties.
M
eanwhile, BPI-LBNCRDC’s winning research paper, Development of Organic Seed Production System of Lowland Vegetables and Field Legumes at BPI-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development, and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC) and Strengthening Partnership in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Bicol Region, was led by Dr. Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Agriculture Center Chief of BPI-LBNCRDPSC. The project was implemented in relation to the Philippine Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (RA 10068), which aims to develop, promote, strengthen, and implement organic agriculture in the country.
The awards were given by Dr. Casiano Abrigo, Jr., Executive Director of the UPLB Foundation Inc. (UPLBFI); Dr. Lucrecio Rebugio, representing Dr. Ramon Valmayor, PARRFI President and President of the Los Baños Science Community Foundation Inc. (LBSCFI); Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, Institute of Biological Sciences-UPLB Deputy Director and 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) Awardee; Dr. Danilo C. Cardenas, Deputy Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD, representing Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Acting Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD; and Engr. Maria Teresa B. De Guzman, OIC Deputy Executive Director for R&D of DOST-PCAARRD and chair of the search committee.
The closing ceremonies were held on the third day of the SyenSaya 2015, which had the theme, Syensya at Kabataan: #WOWTLG (Technology Leads to Globalization). The event combined an exhibit and a forum held from August 12-14, 2015.