The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) took center stage as it put up its biggest exhibit in years at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, from July 24 to 28 during the National Science and Technology Week.
Showcasing its recent science and technology innovations in agriculture, aquatic and forestry and environment in four carefully and meticulously designed pavilions (livestock, crops, aquatic and forestry and environment), the Council made public the fruits of its most recent research and development efforts in response to DOST’s Outcome One.
Briefly stated in clear unequivocal terms, DOST Outcome One tasks PCAARRD to provide science-based know-how and tools that will enable the agricultural sector to raise productivity to world-class standards.
Responding to this call, the pavilions as a whole, embodied PCAARRD’s commitment in providing its share towards achieving economic development by raising agricultural productivity, improving product quality, lowering cost of production, and strengthening rural-based entrepreneurs.
The aquatic pavilion featured S&T-based products and tools developed in accordance with global standards and are ready for pilot testing and roll out to enable the aquatic sector to increase production efficiency and improve quality for the needs of the aquatic industry.
The forest and environment pavilion showcased technologies for producing quality planting materials and managing plantations to increase yield and farmers’ income. It featured S&T tools essential for decision support systems to promote climate-smart and resilient communities and ecosystems.
The crops pavilion, on the other hand, showcased S&T-based information, products, and technologies developed to attain crop productivity and improved product quality following global standards. These S&T outputs are generated from initiatives such as crop varietal improvement, crop management practices enhancement, harvest and postharvest improvement, and value adding.
Finally, the livestock pavilion featured S&T-based technologies for the livestock and poultry sectors to raise farm productivity and build rural assets. Development of such technologies was made possible in collaboration with numerous partner agencies.
Gracing the PCAARRD Exhibits and Agri-Aqua Forum were Senator Cynthia A. Villar, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Senator Ralph G. Recto, Chair, Committee on Science and Technology; Congressman Victor J. Yu, Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, Lower House; and former Congressman Angelo B. Palmones of Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamayan.
The exhibits were complemented with an even more in-depth presentation of technologies and other science and technology outputs with the holding of the four-day Agri-Aqua forum.
Various audiences from the research sector, academe, business, local government units, and other potential beneficiaries attended the forum which provided a venue for a more informative and well-rounded presentation of technologies in an easy-to understand approach as presented by the scientists and experts themselves.
Founded on inclusive growth and the desire to reach every Juan, the Agri-Aqua forum strove to make science appear simple and friendly by creating a positive environment through the use of inspiring, inviting and participatory catch phrases.
Titled as Pinoy Rice on the Rise, the forum on the first day tackled such topics as Production of quality rice seeds in farmers’ own field by Mr. Ruben B. Miranda of PhilRice, Nueva Ecija and Hand tractor-attached rice transplanter by Engr. Isidro D. Millo of Metal Industries Research and Development Center (MIRDC), Taguig City.
Bearing the catch phrase Hayop ni Juan, Dala’y Kabuhayan, the forum on the second day tackled the topics Entrepreneurial spirit and success in goat dairying in the tropical Philippines: The Alaminos Goat Farm Experience by Engr. Valeriano L. Almeda of Alaminos Goat Farm and Itik ni Juan, Yamang Pangkabuhayan by Dr. Angel L. Lambio of Animal and Dairy Science Cluster (ADSC), UPLB.
The forum in the afternoon of the second day gave way to the Aquatic cluster’s Techno sa Aqua, Bida sa Kita which featured Soft-shelled mudcrab farming by Dr. Emilia T. Quinito of SEAFDEC, Tigbauan, Iloilo; Production of seaweed foliar fertilizer by Prof. Graciela L. Caballero of SPAMAST, Malita Davao del Sur and the Potential of Phytoandrogen for sex reversal of tilapia by Dr. Tereso A. Abella of CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.
The third day of the Agri-Aqua forum addressed climate change woes in agriculture with its Makabagong Teknolohiya sa Nagbabagong Panahon, thus the topics: Smarter approaches to reinvigorate agriculture as an industry (SARAI) in the Philippines by Dr. Felino P. Lansigan, UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna and Drought and crop assessment and forecasting (DCAF) by Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez and Ms. Erika Mari R. Macapagal of UP Diliman, Quezon City.
Considered as one of the most pressing issues in agriculture, coconut concerns, particularly that on coconut scale insect, took center stage in the afternoon of the third day with the theme Niyog ni Juan, Huwag Pabayaan Nang Kasaganaan ay Makamtam. Topics discussed included the Operational plan against Coconut Scale Insect (CSI) by Mr. Romulo N. Arancon, Jr., Administrator, Philippine Coconut Authority, Quezon City; Coconut Somatic Embryogenesis Technology (CSET) by Dr. Cristeta A. Cueto, PCA Albay Research Center; and the Available Planting materials of the coconut germplasm of PCA by Mr. Ramon L. Rivera, Deputy Administrator, PCA, Quezon City.
Finally, on the fourth day, the Agri-Aqua Forum winded with a concern apparently more proximate to the interest of the people of Metro Manila as aptly captured in the phrase Makabagong Kabuhayan Para sa Kamaynilaan.
Discussed under the said concern were topics such as Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP Hydroponics) by Dr. Primitivo Jose A. Santos of IPB, UPLB, Los Baños, Laguna; Aquaponics in an Urban setting by Dr. Chito F. Sace of CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; and Low-cost multi purpose dryer by Engr. Wency H. Carmelo, FPRDI, Los Baños, Laguna.
As if the flow of viewers and participants for PCAARRD activities were endless, the fifth day of the NSTW for PCAARRD proved to be even more crowd-drawing as the Council held its painting contest for high school students.
Twenty-five contestants from various secondary schools, mostly from Metro Manila, joined the contest. The contest yielded 4 winners for general agriculture, crops, and forestry and environment.
Winning entries were determined on the basis of originality (30%), relevance to the theme (30%), creativity (30%), and execution (10%).
The painting contest, as conceptualized by Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, PCAARRD NSTW Chair, is expected to instill the value of science and technology among the youth, particularly in attaining agricultural productivity and food sufficiency, and inspiring interest for agriculture and similar field, as a possible career.