Los Baños, Laguna – Dr. Jocelyn E. Eusebio, Crops Research Division (CRD) Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), presented the initiatives of the Industry Strategic S&T Programs (ISPs) on Crops during the recently concluded Society for Human Ecology (SHE) Conference.
The conference brought together global and regional practitioners, educators, researchers, and policy makers to discuss initiatives in promoting a sustainable world. It was hosted by the College of Human Ecology of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in partnership with SHE and the International Organization for Human Ecology.
This year’s conference theme, “Envisioning Pathways to Just and Sustainable Futures: Celebrating Diversity, Pursuing Integration, and Developing Livable Communities,” traces the many efforts in pushing forward the very concepts of sustainable development.
To showcase the contributions of DOST-PCAARRD towards this advocacy, Dr. Eusebio discussed select S&T solutions in addressing the pressing concerns of the local crop industry.
Among these are the varietal selection or improvement, production of planting materials, promotion of integrated cultural management practices, optimization of pest and disease management practices, postharvest handling, processing and value adding, and policy recommendations.
Some of the technologies highlighted are the Cavendish varieties resistant to Fusarium Wilt; genomics-assisted molecular breeding in coconut; somatic embryogenesis technologies in coffee and coconut; potato aeroponics; mango dipstick kit; Carrageenan plant growth promoter; phytochemical coating in vegetables; and bioassay for pesticide residue.
In her presentation, Dr. Eusebio also tackled several modalities being implemented by DOST-PCAARRD in sustaining S&T investments. These modalities include Magsasaka Siyentista, S&T-based farm (STBF), technology demonstration, and field schools, among others. Through the ISP, DOST-PCAARRD envisions a sustainable future especially among farming communities. Dr. Eusebio ended her presentation by underscoring the dedication of the Council in pushing forward the frontiers of S&T in agriculture, and strengthening the technology chains in the country