NEWS ISSN 1655-3942 DA-IRRI hi-tech project to boost palay ...

Volume 11 Issue No. 6 A monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research JUNE 2010

BINHI AWARDEE (2007)Agricultural Newsletter of the Year

hronicleCVisit our official website at http://www.bar.gov.ph

ISSN 1655-3942

RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave.,cor. Elliptical Rd.Diliman, Quezon City 1104PHILIPPINES

Entered as second class mail at the Quezon City Central Post Office under permit no. 753-01 NCR

NEWS

FLORENDO AWARDEE (2003)Outstanding Information Tool for Print

BARBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

BAR hronicleCBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

ISO 9001:2000

BAR is focal agency for Organic Agriculture.....................1

RA 10089 creates Philippine Rubber Research.................2

DA celebrates 112 anniversary..........................................3

Book on DA’s FIELDS program launched..........................4

BAR provides server to PhilAgriNet..................................5

2KR Program Grant supports BPSU’s organic.................6

Balik scientist develops sustainable biofuel.....................7

High-yielding variety is the way to go................................8

Milking profit from dairy farming through CPAR..............9

Tech forum and exhibit to showcase...............................10

DA-IRRI high tech project to boost palay.........................11

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BINHI AWARDEE (2009)

turn to page 11

BAR is focal agency for Organic Agriculture RD&E

The Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) of theDepartment of Agriculture

(DA) has been tasked underof the Organic Agriculture Act of

2010 or the Republic Act (RA)10068 to lead and coordinate amongexecutive agencies of governmentwho are engaged in agrarian reform,science and technology, andeducation, as well as interior andlocal government agencies, strategicagricultural-based state universitiesand colleges (SUCs), and privateorganizations to develop, enhanceand support, and consolidateactivities for the formulation andimplementation of unified andintegrated organic agricultureresearch and development andextension (RD&E) plans andprograms from the national down tothe field level.

Under this law, BAR istasked to create and organize anOrganic Agriculture RD&E Networkcomposed of research andeducational institutions, local

Section20

government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs),and recognized associations of interestgroups such as organic fertilizermanufacturers and distributors,agricultural engineers, agriculturists,soil technologists, and farmers.Furthermore, national, regional andprovincial organic RD&E centers willbe organized, established, andintegrated as a major component ofthe existing centers of DA,Department of Science andTechnology (DOST), Department ofEnvironment and Natural Resources(DENR), SUCs, and LGUs.

BAR's assigned work underRA 10068 is in line with its mandateand commitment to consolidate,strengthen, and develop theagriculture and fishery R&D systemfor the purpose of improving itseffectiveness and efficiency.

The Organic Agriculture Actof 2010 or RA 10068 provides for thedevelopment and promotion of anorganic agriculture in the countrythrough a comprehensive program to

be executed by the newlyinstitutionalized National OrganicAgricultural Board (NOAB), apolicymaking body that providesdirection and general guidelines forthe implementation of the NationalOrganic Agricultural Program(NOAP).

The NOAB is attached to theOffice of the Secretary of Agricultureas the agriculture secretary is itschairman. The secretary of Interiorand Local Government will act as itsvice chair.

PHOTOS: DLEJANO & RDELACRUZ

With the use of mobile phonesor Internet, farmers andagricultural extension

workers anywhere in the country, andanytime of the day, will know whatkind, type and amount of fertilizers theyneed to apply to their rice crop.

This is made possible through aone-year project between theDepartment of Agriculture (DA) and theInternational Rice Research Institute(IRRI), titled “Electronic ExtensionServices for Agricultural ExtensionWorkers on Proper NutrientManagement for Rice in thePhilippines.”

Through this initiative,extension workers and farmers will haveaccess to technical information onproper nutrient management for inonly 15 minutes through the use of aninformation technology-based resourcesupport tool developed by IRRI, calledNutrient Management for Rice( .

Agriculture Secretary Bernie G.Fondevilla and IRRI Director GeneralRobert Zeigler recently forged anagreement to implement the project thatwill also tap the existing Farmers'Contact Center (FCC) managed by theDA's Agricultural Training Institute(ATI).

The IRRI has developed theNMRice or fertilizer managementguidelines and recommendations basedon data gathered from various rice-growing Philippine provinces, ricevarieties, production practices, andyields.

Fondevilla said the project willbe useful in improving productionas farmers would know what kind and

palay

palay

NMRice)

DA-IRRI hi-tech project to boost palay yields

how much fertilizers theyneed to apply, depending ontype of soil, location, andseason.

The system is user-friendly, as farmers andextension workers will onlyhave to answer 10 -15 simplequestions either by clickingon a computer or pressingnumbers on a cellular orlandline phone. Their requestwill be answered within 15minutes.

For ATI’s part, Dir.Asterio Saliot said IRRI willprovide the data on improvedproduction practices, whileDA will promote theNMRice system and put inplace the mechanism fordelivering the information tofarmers.

DA, through theATI, will release P1.8 millionto the IRRI to carry out theproject.

For this project, theDA and IRRI will tap the services ofGlobe Telecom to provide informationto farmers through Interactive VoiceResponse via a four-digit hotlinenumber which will be announcedsoon.

The DA through ATI has set upthe FCC to allow farmers to talkextensively with the DA experts orLGU agricultural technicians to getguidance and information on variousconcerns. Farmers don't have to worryabout high prices on call rates whencontacting the FCC, as the PhilippineLong Distance Telephone Company

(PLDT) has agreed to set a flat rate ofonly P7 per call.

Both the and FCCprojects are part of the extensioncomponent of the DA's FIELDSprogram.

Through the FCC, farmers,fishers, and the general public, can askanything on agriculture, fisheries andrelated issues and concerns, such ascurrent prices of commodities,schedule of irrigation water releases,marketing of farm produce, andcontrol measures for crop pests andanimal diseases.

NMRice

(DA Press Release)

PHOTO: RDELACRUZ

What’s inside

NEWS NEWS

2 BAR hronicleC June 2010 Issue 11BAR hronicleC

BAR hronicleCBUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

ISO 9001:2000

Managing Editor/Layout:Consulting Editor:Writers:

Reproduction/Printing:Circulation:ACD Head:Adviser:

Rita T. dela CruzVictoriano B. GuiamRita T. dela Cruz, Jude Ray P. Laguna, and

Ricardo G. Bernardo and Anthony A. ConstantinoVictoria G. RamosVictoriano B. GuiamNicomedes P. Eleazar, PhD, CESO IV

Patrick Raymond A. Lesaca

ISSN 1655-3942Copyright Bureau of Agricultural Research, Department of Agriculture 2009.For subscription and inquiries please contact us: Tel. Nos +63 (2) 928-8505, 928-8624, 920-0234local numbers 3011, 3026, 3027 with email at:

Articles are also available online, visit

[email protected].

http://www.bar.gov.ph

BAR CHRONICLE is published monthly by the

Applied Communication Division of the Department

of Agriculture - Bureau of Agricultural Research,

RDMIC Building, Visayas Avenue, cor. Elliptical

Road, Diliman, Quezon City 1104 Philippines.

This publication provides regular updates on DA-

BAR’s activities as the country’s national coordinator

for agriculture and fisheries R&D. It also highlights

features and news articles concerning NaRDSAF-

member institutions.

PRODUCTION TEAM

PHOTO: RBERNARDO

Book on DA’s FIELDS...from p4

under the Support System for theFertilization Program. Out of

the 1,380 packages, 428 or 31 percentwere distributed in the MindanaoAgribusiness Super Region, 315 in theNorth Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle,430 in Central Philippines, 204 in theUrban Luzon Beltway and 3 in theNational Capital Region (NCR).

For Irrigation and other ruralinfrastructure, about P79.7 billion hasbeen released for the restoration andrehabilitation of national andcommunal irrigation systemsnationwide, making available 140,042hectares of new areas. A total of1,480,826 hectares located in the foursuper regions were also restored andrehabilitated.

The government alsoconstructed since 2001 a total of18,929 kilometers of farm-to-marketroads worth P26.77 billion andestablished 50 mariculture parkscovering a total of 49,073 hectares.

For Extension, the DAprovided a total of 22,941 variousagricultural technology trainings andorientations from 2001 to 2009 to977,713 farmers, agricultural extensionworkers, and farmer entrepreneurs.

For the Loans component,from 2001 to 2009, a total of P28.8billion was released under thegovernment's Agro-IndustryModernization and Credit FinancingProgram and the Quedancor to farmer-beneficiaries. If production loansfrom the Land Bank and releases fromother financial institutions andagencies are included, the total wouldamount to P465 billion.

For Dryers and otherpostharvest facilities, a total of 2,016units of flatbed dryers were delivered,installed and completed. Through themechanical drying system, anestimated 25,724 metric tons ofvalued at P437 million were saved in2008. Moreover, a total of 39 coldchain facilities were completed and arecurrently operational nationwide.

For the Seeds component, theDA provided 1.68 million bags ofhybrid and 12.5 million bags ofcertified seeds from 2001 to2009 to farmers nationwide. The DAalso established the development ofclimate-ready seeds including saline-,drought-, and flood-resistant varieties.

TipidAbono

palay

palay

palay

(DA Press Office)

DA celebrates...from p3

(BPI) to elementary schoolchildren.The first-ever Department

of Agriculture and Manufacturingwas created on 23 June 1898 afterPresident Emilio Aguinaldodeclared the independence of theRepublic. The Department's firsthead was Jose Alejandrino.

Through its 112 years, 34Filipinos and 5 Americans haveserved as agriculture chiefs.

They included GracianoGonzaga, Leon Ma. Guerrero,Frank Lamson-Scribner, W. C.Welborn, George E. Nesom,

Specifically, the law seeks topromote, propagate, and furtherdevelop the practice of organicfarming in the Philippines which isexpected to: 1) increase farmproductivity; 2) reduce environmentaldegradation and prevent the depletionof natural resources; 3) protect thehealth of farmers, consumers and thegeneral public; and 4) help cutexpenses on imported farm inputs.The law also establishes acomprehensive national agriculturalprogram which will promote,commercialize, and inculcate organic-farming methods through farmers'and consumers' education; and theextension of assistance to LGUs,peoples' organizations, NGOs, andother stakeholders.

Frederick Taylor,Harry Edwards,AdrianoHernandez,GalicanoApacible, RafaelCorpuz, SilvestreApostol, RafaelAlunan,Sr.,VicenteSingsonEncarnacion,EulogioRodriguez,Benigno S.Aquino, Sr.,Rafael Alunan, Sr.,

Vicente Singson Encarnacion,Mariano Garchitorena, Placido L.Mapa, Vice President FernandoLopez, Salvador Araneta, Juan G.Rodriguez, Cesar Fortich, JoseLocsin, Benjamin M. Gozon, Jose Y.Feliciano; Arturo R. Tanco, Jr.,Salvador H. Escudero III, Ramon V.Mitra, Jr., Carlos G. Dominguez ,Senen C. Bacani. Roberto S.Sebastian, William D. Dar, Edgardo J.Angara, Domingo F. Panganiban,Leonardo Q. Montemayor, Luis P.Lorenzo, Jr., and Arthur C. Yap. (DAPress Office)

The term “ asdefined under refers to theparticular farming and processingsystems, described in the standardsand not in the classical chemicalsense. The word organic is alsosynonymous in other languages to“biological” or “ecological”. Ittherefore, directly supportsbiodiversity conservation.

Organic agriculture includesall agricultural systems that promotethe ecologically sound, sociallyacceptable, economically viable, andtechnically feasible production offood and fiber. It dramaticallyreduces external inputs as it excludesthe use of chemical fertilizers,pesticides and pharmaceuticals.

organic”Section 3a

(Patrick Raymond A. Lesaca)

BAR is focal...from p1

June 2010 Issue

Recognizing the importance of rubber as a high-value crop and the rubberindustry as a potential dollar earner of the country, Republic Act (RA)No. 10089 has been recently passed creating the Philippine Rubber

Research Institute (PRRI).Also known as the “Philippine Rubber Research Institute Act of 2010”,

the establishment of PRRI aims to comprehensively realize the goals of humanempowerment and economic development in the countryside through programsand projects that will increase rubber production in the country, and improve thequality of life especially in poor rural communities that depend primarily on thisindustry.

As stated in RA 10089, PRRI will be “under the control and supervisionof the Department of Agriculture (DA)” as one of its attached agencies which ismandated to initiate and administer research and development (R&D) programsto improve quality and increase productivity of rubber especially for the benefitof smallholder rubber producers and processors.

Specifically, PRRI is tasked to: 1) propagate and promote the planting,maintenance, and wise-use of rubber trees as source of latex and finished rubberproducts; 2) enable rubber producers and processors to access quality rubber treeseedlings, modern production techniques and other support services fromproduction to marketing; 3) undertake training and capacity-building programsfor rubber producers, processors and cooperatives to increase production ofquality rubber and raise level of income of poor smallholders; 4) assist inestablishing village-based rubber enterprises to generate livelihood opportunitiesand improve general well-being of the majority of workforce in agriculturesector; 5) promote cooperative development among smallholders and providethem access to resources, technological know-how and decision-makingprocesses; 6) initiate R&D projects on rubber to address technology and policygaps in promoting a robust rubber industry; and 7) enter into an agreement andreceive grants from local and foreign funding agencies through the DA.

Thedevelopment of policies and programs to improve the state of

technologies needed for the rubber industry to be executed by the PRRIAdvisory Board. It is composed of the DA secretary as chair, and undersecretaryas vice chair. Its members include the executive directors of the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) and PRRI, and onerepresentative each from the rubber producers and rubber processors.

BAR, being the national coordinator for rubber RDE in the country, isalso tasked to coordinate the preparation of the Implementing Rules andRegulations (IRR) of the newly-created institute.

Philippine Rubber Research Institute Act of 2010 or RA 10089provides for the

(Rita T. dela Cruz)

Research Institute; BAR leads drafting of IRRRA 10089 creates Philippine Rubber

Usec. Joel Rudinas leads the renewal of pledgeon the DA’s mission and vision. PHOTO: EAGRON

PHOTO: EAGRON

NEWSFEATURE

10 3BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC

The Department of Agriculture

(DA) celebrated its 112anniversary on 23 June 2010

highlighting on the government's majorachievements in the agriculture andfisheries sector under President Arroyo'srecord farm spending and flagship foodsecurity and sufficiency program dubbedas FIELDS.

On the occasion of theDepartment's anniversary, twoinitiatives—the DA-AFMIS and Nokiamobile data gathering system and theOnline Import Application, Processingand Approval of Permit project—werelaunched in the presence of DA Sec.Bernie G. Fondevilla and otheragriculture officials and guests.

In a message on the occasion ofthe DA's anniversary, President Arroyosaid that the shift in spending inagriculture—from providing dole-outs tofarmers to investing more ininfrastructure—has helped sustain thegrowth of the Philippine farm andfisheries sector in the long term.

“This is the goal of the FIELDSprogram,” the President said. “Alongwith the DA, and in cooperation with thelocal government units and the privatesector, we carried out our twin goals offood sufficiency and being free fromfood imports.”

FIELDS stands for the six areasof agriculture where President Arroyohas focused the unprecedented level ofpublic spending on herwatch—Fertilizer, Irrigation and otherrural infrastructure, Extension andeducation services for farmers, Loans,Dryers and other postharvest facilities,and Seeds and other genetic materials.

President Arroyo said heradministration doubled spending onagriculture, which reached P21 billion onher watch, as compared to the P11 billionduring the Ramos administration andP17 billion during the term of herpredecessor, Joseph Estrada.

The increase in funding pavedthe way for the expansion of farm areasto 1.6 million hectares; P465 billionworth of loans to farmers; and theconduct of 23,000 training workshops forfarmers and agricultural workers, shenoted.

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DA celebrates 112 anniversaryth

More than one million hectareswere opened for agribusinessdevelopment from 2005 to 2009, whichled to the creation of more than 2.5million jobs, the President said.

Her administration was alsoable to construct more than 18,000kilometers of farm-to-market roads,along with cold chain systemsnationwide, more than 80 ordrop-off centers and more than 500

, which providefarmers with a steady market for theirproduce and consumers with affordablypriced basic goods.

For his part, Fondevilla said

that on the Department's 112anniversary, he is confident that it willbe able to hurdle new challengesbrought about by climate change andthe heightened competition ininternational trade market as a result ofglobalization.

“Despite the many changesand challenges that the Department hasfaced through the years, it remained astable pillar of the government andtruly cares for the welfare of ourfarmers, fisherfolk and other ruralworkers,” Fondevilla said.

“The Department remains upto now, fully determined to free our

bagsakan

barangay bagsakans

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people from hunger, poverty, andhopelessness,” he said.

The anniversary celebrationincluded a photo exhibit showcasing themajor events at the Department throughits 112 years of existence, a thanksgivingmass, and the awarding of loyaltyplaques to DA employees who haverendered more than 20 years of serviceand citation plaques to top salesperformers of the DA's AgribusinessExport Showroom.

Fondevilla also presented duringthe affair the certificate that the DAreceived from the Office Internationaldez Epizootis (OIE) or World AnimalHealth Organization declaring most partsof Luzon as free of the Foot and MouthDisease, which is a major step towardsdeclaring the entire Philippines FMD-free. The entire Visayas and Mindanaohave already been declared FMD-free bythe OIE in 2001 to 2002 respectively.

The other activities included aat the DA parking lot and the

distribution and feeding of dairy milkfrom National Diary Authority (NDA),and free taste of and

and ice creamcourtesy of the Bureau of Plant Industry

tiangge

malunggay lugawmalunggay saluyot

Agriculture Sec. Bernie G. Fondevilla views the exhibit during the opening featuringformer DA secretaries and their respective accomplishments and contributions duringtheir terms.

turn to page 11

Meanwhile, TADAFCO Chairman Patricio S.Ultiano mentioned how the CPAR project on dairy cowfeeds processing is able to help the small dairy farmers inTacunan. “There was a big increase in our milkproduction and we earnestly hope that with the goodresults of this project we will be able to encourage morefarmers to go into dairy farming and contribute more tothe national production of milk in the country,” he said.

“Prior to this CPAR project, our average dailymilk production is 104 liters which amounts to P14,560.After we started formulating our own feeds, our averagedaily milk production is 117 liters of P16, 380. On adaily production basis, we get a net profit of P1,820 orP7,280 monthly,” Ultiano added.

Cantilla, said that although the CPAR project isstill in its early stage of implementation, good results arealready being reaped by the beneficiaries. “We arehoping that more dairy farmers will be able to adopt thetechnology introduced in this project so that more ofthem will be benefited not just the Tacunan dairyfarmers.” ###

CPAR on dairy farming...from p10

Showcasing the full potential ofcommerciable technologiesgenerated from agriculture and

fisheries research and development(R&D), the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-

BAR) will spearhead the “6 Agricultureand Fisheries TechnologyCommercialization Forum and ProductExhibition” on 5-8 August 2010 at theMega Trade Hall 2, SM Mega Mall.

With the theme, “Facing GlobalChallenges through TechnologyCommercialization in Agriculture andFisheries”, the activity will showcaseviable and commerciable technologiesdeveloped by state universities andcolleges (SUCs), DA national andregional offices, and other R&D partner-institutions.

The activity aims to strengthenthe partnership between and amongresearch organizations and the privatesector towards a more progressive andsustainable agriculture and fisheryindustries.

BAR, together with its R&Dpartners, hopes that the business sectorwill take this occasion as an opportunityto choose and shop for the besttechnologies to invest in and capitalize

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Tech forum and exhibit to showcase commerciabletechnologies from agriculture and fisheries research

for commercial ventures.The activity will kick off with

the ribbon cutting and opening ofproduct exhibits on August 5 to be ledDA Secretary Proceso J. Alacala andother DA key officials. Thetechnology forum and product exhibit

will coincide the 23 BARAnniversary which be highlightedwith the video and book launch.

“The SM Megatrade Hall hasbeen our home since 2008 and we areproud and happy to be back in thisvenue which is strategicallypositioned to attract visitors from allwalks of life making our products anddisplays more accessible providingmaximum exposure and broad captivemarket,” said BAR DirectorNicomedes P. Eleazar.

Aside from the exhibits andproduct displays, the four-day activitywill include a series of seminars andproduct demonstrations on varioustopics featuring practicabletechnologies developed with fundingsupport from BAR through itsNational TechnologyCommercialization Program (NTCP).

NTCP is one of the flagshipprograms of BAR that gives

rd

importance to the effective transfer oftechnologies generated and developedfrom R&D to benefit intendedbeneficiaries. With this program, accessto and adoption of new technologiesthrough promotion andcommercialization is now a reality.Clients are presented with alternativesbased on what R&D has to offer toimprove agricultural production andultimately, the lives of poor farmers andfisherfolk. (Rita T. dela Cruz)

June 2010 Issue June 2010 Issue

NEWS FEATURE

4 9BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC

President Macapagal-Arroyo andDepartment of Agriculture (DA)Secretary Bernie G. Fondevilla led

the formal launching of a coffee tablebook on DA’s FIELDS programchronicling the major achievements ofthe Arroyo administration in itscenterpiece agenda on food security andsufficiency on 17 June 2010, BSWMConvention Hall, Visayas Ave., QuezonCity.

Titled, “Fields of Glory,” thebook illustrates what President Arroyohas delivered on her commitments to theagriculture and fisheries sectors throughher flagship project dubbed FIELDS andother farm-related intervention programs.

Joining the book launch wasformer DA Secretary and nowrepresentative of the third district ofBohol, Arthur C. Yap, who shepherdedFIELDS for most of its part under theArroyo’s watch.

FIELDS stands for the six areasof agriculture where President Arroyo hasfocused, an unprecedented level of publicspending, namely: Fertilizer, Irrigationand other rural infrastructure, Extensionand education services for farmers,Loans, Dryers and other postharvestfacilities, and Seeds and other geneticmaterials.

Fondevilla and Yap jointlyturned over the book to the PresidentArroyo with DA officials, farmers, andother agricultural stakeholders attendingto witness the event.

FIELDS was unveiled by thePresident during the DA-sponsored

Book on FIELDS program launched

National Food Summit at the ClarkSpecial Economic Zone in Pampanga inApril 2008.

The book cited theaccomplishments of the Arroyoadministration under FIELDS and itsvarious farm programs since sheassumed the presidency in 2001.

Various stakeholders of theagriculture sector cited the tangiblebenefits they have received from theadministration's vigorousimplementation of its FIELDS program.

One of them, Ronelio Barsatanof the CBCP-NASSA-National FarmCenter in General Natividad, NuevaEcija, pointed to the establishment ofnational and diocesan farm centersacross the country to promote organicfarming.

Ariel Dolores, a farmer fromGuimba, Nueva Ecija, noted that he wasable to pull down his production costsas a result of the government's FIELDSprogram. “We used to spend P40,000per hectare to plant , but becauseof the irrigation provided underFIELDS, we were able to significantlyreduce our costs especially since we nolonger spend as much for fertilizer andother inputs. The soil we till hasbecome rich with natural fertilizer fromthe clean water we get from irrigation.”

Efraim Acacio of Sta. AnaCagayan noted that the free technicalassistance provided by the government -from selecting the right seeds toharvesting - helped him a lot inincreasing his income. “I am proud to

palay

palay

say that our dream will soon be fulfilled.We will soon complete the constructionof a small concrete house for our familybeside our farm.”

Judy Aruta, who is a loanbeneficiary of the BukidnonCooperative Bank, said that the easy-to-pay credit provided by governmentfinancial institutions to small farmershas been helping her carry out her plansof expanding her rice farm. “Because ofFIELDS, we were able to provide forthe needs of our family, send ourchildren to school, and save for thefuture,” she noted.

In Camarines Sur, MillerBicaldo said the benefits of using theflatbed dryers provided by the DA haveresulted in increased yields for farmersin the province. “The results of dryingusing flatbed dryers are strikinglydifferent from the usual practice ofhighway drying. We were able to storemore palay when we used flatbeddryers,” he said.

Gelises Ladores of SanAntonio, Nueva Ecija recalled how,during the rainy season in 2008, he wasable to harvest 100 cavans of fromhis 1.5 hectare farm using submergence-tolerant rice seeds from the PhilippineRice Institute which were madeavailable by the DA through theFIELDS program. “I did not expect theSwarma-Sub1 submergence-tolerantseed variety to yield that much .My only wish at that time was to be ableto harvest despite the strong rains,” hesaid.

Other beneficiaries likelivestock trader Cinco Placido Jr. andfarmer Ramil Barte of Sariaya, Quezonlauded the benefits they received fromthe DA's initiatives on expandingmarket access for small farmstakeholders, while Bronzeoak CleanEnergy President and CEO Jose MariaZabaleta cited the positive impact of theDA's biofuels program on pioneeringinvestors like him, and BT corn farmerEdwin Paraluman of South Cotabatonoted the benefits of the DA'sbiotechnology program in increasingcorn harvests.

For the Fertilizer component,the DA provided 1,380 technologypackages on environment-friendly,community-based composting facilities

palay

palay

PHOTO: RDELACRUZ

Story by:RITA T. DELA CRUZPhotos by:RICARDO G. BERNARDO

Dairy farming is a profitableindustry. In Brgy. Tacunan,majority of the household

population is into dairy cow raising.But with the increasing cost ofcommercial feeds, many dairyfarmers have shied away fromengaging further in this business. Indairy farming, feeding system iscrucial. The kind of feeds given tothe cattle highly determines theamount and quality of milk that theyproduce. Commercial feeds are stillthe best choice, but they areexpensive.

Given this problem, theBureau of Agricultural Research(BAR) of the Department ofAgriculture (DA) funded aCommunity-based ParticipatoryAction Research (CPAR) project on“Dairy Cow Feeds Processing” inBrgy. Tacunan, Tugbok District,Davao City. The project isimplemented in coordination withthe DA-Southern MindanaoIntegrated Agricultural ResearchCenter (DA-SMIARC) and the localgovernment unit (LGU) of TugbokDistrict.

One of the beneficiaries ofthe CPAR project is the TacunanDairy Farmers Cooperative(TADAFCO), a cooperative whosefarmer-members are mainly intodairy farming. They were also thebeneficiaries of the dairy animalswhich were dispersed through a loangranted by the National DairyAuthority (NDA). With an original22 dairy farmer-members, it startedits operation in 2003 with 11 dairycows distributed to four farmer-cooperators. This started as initialinvestment for the cooperative.

Specifically, the CPAR

Milking profit from dairy farming

through CPAR on processing feeds

project aims to address theproblem on expensive commercialfeeds by providing the TADAFCOfarmer-members quality butaffordable feeds for their lactatingcows. By formulating their ownfeeds, the cooperative can also sellthem to non-members in relativelycheaper price hence, providingadditional source of income forthe farmer-members.

“As part of the projectintervention, TADAFCO farmer-members underwent a 40-hourtraining and seminar on feedmixing and formulation conductedby the Technical Education andSkills Development Authority(TESDA),” said Myrna S.Cantilla, SMIARC senioragriculturist and CPAR projectleader.

Cantilla explained that infeed formulation, crude protein(CP) is an essential consideration.CP estimates the total proteincontent of feeds and usually, thehigher the CP content incommercial feeds, the moreexpensive it is. The lactating mashthat TADAFCO formulated isessential to produce large volumeof quality milk with 20 percentCP.

Mr. Javier Oliveros, aTADAFCO farmer-member, saidthat “in the feeds that we produce,the CP is higher but still cheaper.This is indeed good news forsmall dairy farmers like us. Formembers, we sell the feedsP13.20/kg while for non-memberswe sell it for P16.50/kg so that forevery kilo that we sell, our Coopearns additional P3.30/kg netprofit.”

turn to page 11turn to page 10

June 2010 Issue June 2010 Issue

NEWSFEATURE NEWS

BAR hronicleC BAR hronicleC8 5

Given the importance ofdeveloping and strengtheningpublic information program for

research and development (R&D), andbringing relevant research-generatedinformation to where it is needed themost, the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) has provided a server tothe Philippine Agricultural Libraries andInformation Services Network(PhilAgriNet). This was made possiblethrough a BAR-funded project titled,“PhilAgriNet: An Electronic Databaseand Network to link PhilippineAgricultural Knowledge to ProspectiveEnd-users”.

The donation of the server wasmade official through a brief turnoverceremony held on 2 June 2010 at theCollege of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT)Auditorium, University of thePhilippines Los Baños (UPLB), College,Laguna. The turnover ceremony washeld during the opening program of the38th General Assembly and Seminar ofthe Agricultural Librarians Associationof the Philippines (ALAP).

PhilAgriNet is a network ofFilipino agricultural librarians organizedto electronically link participatingmember institutions as well asresearchers for mutual access toagricultural knowledge, starting with acentral database then moving on to actualexchange or delivery of documents. Itsoffice is based at the UPLB Campus.

BAR provides server to PhilAgriNet;agricultural info database launched

The server that BAR providedserves as the central database that willhouse important agricultural knowledgeneeded to electronically linkparticipating member-institutions,including researchers, for mutualaccess and sharing of relevantinformation.

Mr. Victoriano B. Guiam, headof the BAR Applied CommunicationDivision (ACD) representing BARDirector Nicomedes P. Eleazar, turnedover the server to Dr. Roberto F.Rañola, UPLB vice chancellor foradministration representing UPLBChancellor Luis Rey I. Velasco, andMs. Concepcion DL Saul, ALAP

president andPhilAgriNetproject leader.

In themessage of theDir. Eleazar, asread by Mr.Guiam, heemphasized therelevance of theoccasion inrelation toBAR'scommitment to

bring good research-generatedinformation to the far corners of thearchipelago and to a wider array ofrecipients. He said “we are proud of thiscontribution in this noteworthyevent—of boosting access and the use ofinformation through a more capablePhilAgriNet.”

Dr. Rañola delivered anacceptance message expressing UPLB'sgratitude to BAR for providing the serverand for its continuous support to theuniversity particularly its contribution indeveloping an electronic central databaseof Philippine agricultural literature tocreate an increased awareness of localagricultural output.

Aside from the turnover ofserver, the PhilAgriNet website anddatabase were also officially launched.Facilitating a walk-through to the systemwas Ms. Lea delos Reyes, the webmaster.The PhilAgriNet website is hosted byBAR through its official website,

Also present during the eventwere: Dr. Arsenio N. Resurreccion, deanof CEAT; Ms. Rita T. dela Cruz, assistanthead of BAR-ACD; and Ms. Melissa A.Resma, head of BAR- InformationManagement Unit.

BAROnline ( )

(Rita T. dela Cruz)

http://www.bar.gov.ph

Ms. Lea delos Reyes of IRRI, webmaster for the PhilAgrinet website facilitatesa walk-through to the system. The PhilAgrinet website is hosted by BAR throughits official website, BAR Online. PHOTO: RDELACRUZ

PHOTO: RDELACRUZ

Mr. Victoriano Guiam of BAR (left) turns over the server to Dr. Roberto F.Rañola of UPLB (center). Also in the photo is Ms. Concepcion DL Saul (right),president of ALAP and project leader of the PhilAgriNet project.

Even with limited or dwindling riceareas, the Philippines can still berice self-sufficient and limit its rice

importation if most farmers will just shiftto high-yielding varieties. With self-sufficiency, the country will no longer bedependent on other countries for the supplyof its staple food. It can even afford toexport fancy and organic rice thus givingmore profit to Filipino farmers.

As of now, the country is not yetself-sufficient so it imports rice fromneighboring countries like Thailand andVietnam. Thailand and Vietnam areblessed with great river networks andsmaller populations relative to land areathat's why they have bigger total irrigatedrice area as compared to the Philippines sothey can afford to export some of theirproduce.

To attain self-sufficiency in threeyears time, we need to use proven farmingtechnologies that not only increase yieldbut raise the farmer's income as well,” saidDr. Frisco Malabanan, rice programdirector of the Department of Agriculture(DA).

“In terms of average yield,Vietnam has overtaken us but we arerelatively better than those of Thailandbecause of the use of high-quality geneticmaterials and other productivity-enhancingtechnologies,” he said. “High yield startswith sowing quality seeds, whether hybridor inbred rice.”

Before, farmers were not qualityconscious. They have always relied ontheir own seeds and sometimes those fromother farmers, relatives, etc. Likewise,they used as much as 150 kilograms perhectare (kg/ha).

Today, more farmers are nowshifting to modern rice varieties, which areeasily available through local seedgrowers. The DA's rice program iscontinuously educating farmers to shift toeither hybrid or inbred rice certified seeds(CS). A farmer needs only 15-20 kg/haand 40 kg/ha of hybrid rice seeds and CS,respectively. He should also buy newseeds every planting season to ensure highyields.

Prices of both hybrid and CS arebeing subsidized by DA to encourage morefarmers to use them. After many years ofpromoting CS, it is now planted in a muchbigger area than hybrids because mostfarmers have already accepted its positiveimpact of producing more yield than“farmers' home-saved seeds” (FHSS).

Shift to high-yielding varieties is the way to go

In the past, few farmers plantedCS because these had to be purchasedevery season and was regarded as anexpensive input that had uncertainquality. Before the start of the DA's riceprogram in 2001, CS was planted to only350,000 ha. In cropping year 2009, itwas already planted to 2.73 million ha.Back then, hybrid rice was seen as a newand low adoption technology amongfarmers since it is a season- and location-specific technology that needed furtherinformation campaigns. Back in its earlyyears, only a limited number of hybridrice varieties were available for farmersto choose from.

But nowadays more privatecompanies, in addition to the publicsector, are engaged in hybrid riceresearch and development (R&D), andseed business that there now is a range ofvarieties available in the market thatcaters to the individual farmer's needs.

Just like CS, hybrid rice willsoon be acceptable to most farmersconsidering that they can harvest 6-12metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). It has ayield advantage of 15-30 percent over thebest CS.

In Nueva Ecija, farmers areagain overwhelmed with the benefits thatthey are reaping from their hybrid ricefarms. More than 55,000 ha of rice fieldswere planted to hybrid rice in the 2010dry cropping season and the farmers therehave harvested an average of 7.73 mt/hain yield. As for inbred rice CS, of the93,000 ha planted to this variety, anaverage yield of only 5.70 mt/ha was

obtained.Hybrid rice technology is seen as

the most viable option for raising farmers'yields without having to increase the ricehectarage. Over the past three decades, thetechnology has helped China achieve foodsecurity. It has yet to reach its full potentialin the tropics. Hybrid rice technology canraise the yield of rice and, thus, overall riceproductivity and profitability in Asia.

Hybrid rice cultivation is basicallythe same as that for inbred rice varieties.Although it requires greater attention inseed and seedling management, hybrid riceis grown much like inbred varieties.

In the succeeding seasons, seedsubsidies can be reduced or phased-outentirely. However, the rice industry stillneeds more extension activities like clusterdemonstration, farmers' training, andaccessible credit to sustain and expand thehybrid rice and certified seeds commercialcultivation.

To sustain the increase in localrice production, the DA must continue itsirrigation and infrastructure projects, andprovision of postharvest facilities, andcomposting facilities so that farmersespecially the marginalized farmers will beencouraged to plant more.

Given enough budget and supportof all the players in the industry, the DA'starget of self-sufficiency in 2013 ispossible. The DA will continue to workwith the farmers, the local governmentexecutives, and other industry stakeholdersbecause they play vital roles in makingthings happen to achieve productiontargets. (DA-Rice Program)

PHOTO: RDELACRUZ

June 2010 Issue June 2010 Issue

NEWS NEWS

6 7BAR hronicleCBAR hronicleC June 2010 Issue

Given the increasing awarenesslevel among Filipinos on theimportance of proper nutrition

and the availability of nutritious food, andthe government's response tocontinuously promote a healthierlifestyle, a project to promote organicvegetable production was earmarked.

The project titled, “Promotion ofProtective Cultivation Technology forHigh Value Organic VegetableProduction” which is being implementedby the Bataan Peninsula State University(BPSU) is also in harmony with theDepartment of Agriculture's (DA) battlecry, whichserves as a benchmark for foodsufficiency and security. The challengetherefore is to provide nutritious,affordable and accessible food for everyFilipino.

The objective of the project is to1) produce off-season high value organicvegetables, 2) utilize animal waste andplant residue as a source of organicfertilizers, and 3) determine the least costcombination of farm inputs whileproviding sufficient supply of nutritiousand safe high value vegetables in themarket. The project also focuses on theeconomic benefits of the technology inaddition to the health and environmentalconcerns.

“Sapat na Pagkain sa Lahat”

2KR Program Grant supports BPSU'sorganic vegetable production throughprotective cultivation technology

The project is beingcoordinated by the Bureau ofAgricultural Research (BAR), fundedthrough the Technology Managementfor Competitive Agriculture andFisheries Sectors of the DA-NationalAgricultural and Fishery Council (DA-NAFC) and the Japan OfficialDevelopment Assistance's (ODA) -2KR Program Grant Assistance forUnderprivileged Farmers. The 2KRProgram Grant was borne out of thesigned Memorandum of Agreement(MOA) between BAR and NAFC in2008 to spearhead the implementationand funding collaboration of viableagriculture and fisheries projects in thecountry.

Dr. Delfin O. Magpantay,BPSU president, hopes that with thisproject, not only will they be able toprovide quality and relevant education,but also to develop highly qualified andcompetitive human resourcesresponsive to national and regionaldevelopment and ensure its success.

Dr. Magpantay added that,

protective cultivation technology in theproduction of high-value organicvegetable will significantly reduce theamount of chemical inputs and helpaddress environment hazards. “Thepromotion of this technology will notonly give economic benefits to farmersbut also provide a safe vegetable supplyin the domestic market,” he said.

The immediate beneficiaries ofthe project are the marginalizedvegetable growers, smallholder farmers,and consumers within the district. Theagribusiness enterprise will be replicatedin 100 farmers from the differentmunicipalities of the province.

The initiative of the proponentto tap an agribusiness firm for technicalassistance and market-tie up willencourage farmers to adopt this projectin their own farms providing them witha profitable source of income. Theundertaking will not only increasefarmer's income, but it will also ensurean adequate supply of organically-grown vegetable for the community.(Patrick Raymond A. Lesaca )

“The promotion of this technology will notonly give economic benefits to farmers butalso provide a safe vegetable supply in thedomestic market,” ~ Dr. Magpantay

PHOTOS: BPSU Dr. Fiorello B. Abenes, one of thePhilippines premier DOSTBalik-Scientists, developed a

new biofuel mixture that promises to bemore sustainable in the future comparedto other feedstocks being used to producebioethanol and biodiesel. Results of hisstudy were presented in a seminar seriesorganized by the Bureau of AgriculturalResearch (BAR) on 23 June 2010.

This is a timely R&D endeavorgiven the country's immense promotionto fully implement the Biofuels Act of2006, said BAR Asst. Dir. Teodoro S.Solsoloy who provided the welcomeremarks during the seminar.

He emphasized the need toimprove biofuel production managementsystems and processing of agriculturalmaterials as feedstock for biofuelproduction, particularly bioethanol (analcohol made from fermented sugarcomponents of plant materials, mostlysugar and starch crops) production.

BAR is the Department ofAgriculture (DA)'s focal agency for theresearch and development (R&D)component of its Biofuels Program.Since 2005, BAR has supported R&Dactivities in the initial production ofsweet sorghum feedstock (raw materialsfor ethanol production).

Dr. Abenes and his team whichincludes Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr.Roque A. Ulep, M. Valencia, and M.Birginias of MMSU, developed a

Balik scientist develops sustainable biofuel

bioethanol mixture or formulationdubbed as BE-20 or hydrousbioethanol (95 percent ETOH).

Hydrous ethanol is a purifiedfrom fermentations of sweet sorghum(jaggery or unrefined brown sugar frompalm sap, molasses and syrup), sugarcane ( pasteurized canejuice) and sugarcane and sweet sorghumbagasse (waste left aftersugarcane/sweet sorghum is pressed toextract the juice) was used to formulatea gasohol (a petrol substitute consistingof 90 percent petrol and 10 percentgrain alcohol from crops) mixtureconsisting of 20 percent ethanol, 79.41percent anhydrous (ethyl alcohol thathas a purity of at least 99 percent) E-10and 0.59 percent water (H O).

The resulting mixture is theMMSU BE-20 formulation. Theresearchers tested the blend for absenceof phase separation under ambient andrefrigerates conditions. Dr. Abenes'team composed also of undergradstudents from MMSU conducted trialsto run a four-stroke stationary engine,four-stroke motorcycles and a ToyotaFX (which the team also used to drivefrom MMSU to BAR or Batac, IlocosNorte to Quezon City).

Dr. Abenes prides theformulation as stable at ambient andcold temperatures and show promise asan engine fuel. According to the study,further testing is being done under morerigorous conditions by the MMSU and

h

Ilocos basi,

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2

the Central Luzon State University(CLSU) Engineering Department.

The Balik-Scientist added thatthe fuel is more economically- andenvironmentally-sustainable thananhydrous mixes due to lesserresource utilization. The potential ofthis technology could save the countrysix billion pesos a year.

Dr. Fiorello “Leo” Abenes is aprofessor emeritus of animal andveterinary sciences at the CaliforniaPolytechnic University, Pomona(CalPoly Pomona). He was awarded aFulbright Scholar grant to lecture andperform research at MMSU in Batac,Ilocos Norte. During his stint atMMSU, he has conducted researchand delivered lectures on the use ofwater buffalo rumen fluid asbiodegrading agent for biomass toproduce ethanolm, which was alsofeatured in one of the BAR seminarseries.

Attending the BAR seminarseries are representatives from theDA-Sugar Regulatory Administration(SRA), University of the PhilippinesLos Baños (UPLB), Cavite StateUniversity (CavSU), RamonMagsaysay Technical University(RMTU), Pampanga AgriculturalCollege (PAC), Bronzeoak Philippines(one of the developers of ethanolproduction plants in the Philippines),Philippine National Oil Company, andUnioil. (Jude Ray P. Laguna)

PHOTO: NDELROSARIO IIIDr. Fiorello B. Abenes

PHOTO: NDELROSARIO III

June 2010 Issue