WESVARRDEC starts sustainable darag chicken production program

By Isaac Abello

Staff, Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

With Reports from Niño Manaog and Bede Ozaraga, Capiz State University

Research in the darag native chicken is now official.

Recently, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) launched the Development of Sustainable Production System for the Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Western Visayas, a pioneering project that involves the Research and Development arms of four state colleges and universities in the region—West Visayas State University (WVSU), Central Philippine University (CPU), Aklan State University (ASU), and Capiz State University (CapSU).

In an inception meeting held at the Residence Hotel in Iloilo City in August 2011, Dr. Synan Baguio, supervising science research specialist and Dr. Edwin Villar, livestock research division director, both of PCARRD presented to the SUC representatives the terms and conditions of the funded project and the responsibilities of the collaborating agencies. The PCARRD officials likewise briefed the SUCs on the schedule of monitoring and evaluation and the delivery of outputs from the project.

The program will be a collaborative effort of said four SUCs. WVSU will develop a native chicken breeding and hatchery management system that would ensure stable supply of both breeder and slaughter native chickens of predictable performance and consistent quality in commercial quantities.

CPU will develop and establish a feed production and distribution system for free-range native chickens while ASU will establish a Newcastle Disease vaccine production and distribution systems for the same purpose. For its part, CapSU will produce and distribute a stable supply of ethno-botanical antihelmintics and develop a range area (pasture) enhancement protocol for the darag native chickens.

In the same event, WVSU’s Dr. Evelyn Tomambo, who is also the program leader, presented the new program titled “Development of Sustainable Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Production System as Climate Change Adaptation Option for the Poultry Industry in Western Visayas.”

Among others, the program will organize information and component technologies generated thru previous research and development into a sustainable enterprise-type native chicken production system. It seeks to usher in productive and profitable utilization of locally available feed, medicinal plants and chicken genetic resources.

According to the program, an organized native chicken production system will help establish sustainable native chicken-based enterprises by rural dwellers and ensure stable supply of good quality native chicken products that meet quality and quantity requirements of institutional buyers and domestic consumers.

Promoted by WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, the program is supported by ASU President Danilo Abayon, CPU President Teodoro Robles, WVSU President Pablo Subong, Jr., and CapSU President Editha Magallanes as represented by Dr. Geronimo Gregorio, WESVARRDEC’S regional research development group coordinator, and CapSU’s vice-president for research and extension.

“Better ASU researches this year”–PCARRD

By Lelisa J. Teodosio, RMIS Representative

and Sally R. Villasis, RACG Representative

Aklan State University

Photos from PCARRD ACD

The quality of research in Aklan State University (ASU) is much better than it was two or three years earlier.

This is according to Dr. Lily Ann Lando, director of the Applied Communication Division (ACD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who delivered her speech in the closing rites of the ASU In-house Review on July 14–15, 2011 at the ASU Review Center, Banga, Aklan.

Commending ASU for hosting the “very important event,” Lando (see photo) likewise urged the researchers to continue to do research because ASU has a “big responsibility for being a Regional University.” According to Lando, researchers must lead the way not only for the ASU community but also for their colleagues in the region’s other universities.

ASU led the in-house review this year to mainstream its programs towards agriculture and fishery. The conference convened researchers from ASU’s five campuses who presented a total of 45 research papers. Of these, five are ongoing, 24 are proposed while 16 have already been completed.

Cited best papers for agri-fishery and eco-tourism were the “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” presented by Arlene Dela Cruz, et.al.; “Yield Performance of Pummelo var. Helmar as Affected by Pruning and Different Source of Fertilizer” by Michael Ibisate, et.al.; and “Resource Assessment of Brackish Rivers of New Washington, Aklan” by Zaida Ochavo, et.al.

Under the education, socioeconomics and related fields, the best papers were “Perception and Acceptance of Fingerprint Biometric Technology among Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel of ASU: Basis for Policy Recommendation” by Alfonsa Fanie Radislao, et.al.; “Learning Strategies of BSEd 3 Students in English Language Proficiency as a Second Language” authored by Librada Rebustes, et.al.; and “Leadership Dimension among Deans and Directors of Aklan State University: Its Implications to Public Administration.”

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of ASU said that “what makes a university is its research. And so to sustain further improvement of the quality of researches in the University, we hosted the in-house review.” Relingo also acts as Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Featuring the expertise of the University’s partner institutions, ASU invited selected panel evaluators to help enhance the research and development initiatives of the University.

For agri-fishery and eco-tourism, the panelists were Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando; Mr. Rolando V. Labios, chief agriculturist and coordinator for research office of the Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and Dr. Ulysses M. Montojo, senior aquaculturist and in-charge of planning, monitoring and evaluation division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.

The same panel included WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne who was represented by Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio, vice-president for research and extension of the Capiz State University (CapSU) and coordinator of WESVARRDEC R&D Group; and Dr. Jonic Natividad, regional veterinary quarantine officer of DA-Regional Field Office 6.

For education, socioeconomics and related fields, the evaluators were Dr. Evelyn L. Gregorio, faculty of CapSU Graduate School and social science researcher; Ms. Andrea Panilla, senior science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6; and Dr. Ersyl T. Biray, vice-president for academic affairs of ASU.

For his part, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon said that “we can do something after several years of inculcating the need to conduct research by the faculty.” For Abayon (see photo), it is also good to see that the University is getting mature in terms of the conduct of research. In his first year as president, Abayon stressed that researchers should publish in international journals, as they have already gone through national and international presentations.

Abayon also cited that researchers ought to revive many centers in the University such as the Center for Productive Use of Renewable Energy. He also encouraged to launch operations of the biodiesel plant and establish partnership with DOST for the Natural Dye Technology Resource Center. Abayon also urged everyone to sustain many other projects geared towards the improvement of the University’s R&D and extension programs.

PCARRD promotes PSF at regional TG summit

By Isaac T. Abello

Staff

Science in every product, value addition, market and industry-driven, analysis and market matching, networking and clustering. What do these terms have in common?

They are keywords to Pinoy Science and Technology for Farmers and Entrepreneurs (PSF), the new modality of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

During the Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) at the Amigo Plaza Mall recently, Dr. Arturo Argañosa, officer-in-charge of PCARRD’s Technology Outreach and Promotion Division (TOPD) announced the new PCARRD program.

According to Argañosa, while commerciable products are the endpoint of research and development, the inadequate supply of quality raw materials, lack of markets and, lack of access to S&T information and technology are basic problems that should be addressed if we are to attain a science-based enterprise.

Under the new modality, the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) is from where the supply of raw materials come. Assisted by the partner member agency and led by the Magsasaka Siyentista, the STBF involves the identification and application of Science and Technology interventions for identified focus commodities in order to increase productivity and produce quality products.

Technomart, meanwhile, involves fast-tracking the movement of S&T products from source to the markets, using a variety of rolling up strategies in partnerships with business organizations in the government and private sectors. This involves products and marketing activities that cover product marketability assessments, product promotions, product research and development, value addition and creation, technology transfer and value-chain analysis.

The One-Stop Information Shop (OSIS) will facilitate the information and technology on the S&T involved. Involving strategic communication integrating IEC-ICT partnerships and networks with facilities like the regional/provincial OSIS, showrooms and business hubs, OSIS is the venue for discussions on products, knowledge sessions, market matches & business mentoring, media conferences & product advocacies.

“Business knowledge key to enterprise development”–PCARRD

By Isaac T. Abello, Staff

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

WESVARRDEC

During the Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart sponsored by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) at the Amigo Plaza Mall in Iloilo City recently, Prof. Cesar Frias, assistant director of the Applied Communications Division (ACD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), shared key insights for business and marketing.

Speaking before farmer producers, farmer scientists, researchers, extension workers and other stakeholders from across Western Visayas, Frias stressed that being an entrepreneur or agri-preneur requires one to have the basic knowledge before engaging or committing in any type of enterprise—small or big. For Frias, it is imperative that aspiring entrepreneurs be equipped with business intelligence to avoid failures and lapses.

PCARRD ACD Assistant Director Cesar Frias (right) updates information on mango processing technology by MS Rebecca Tubongbanua (left) during the Techno Gabay Summit. According to Frias, PCARRD deems business intelligence important in enterprise building

According to Frias, food industry should be priority concern because it is one of the biggest sector contributors in our economy, even as food is everyone’s fundamental resource. Frias added that agriculture is “the central and foundational craft of economies.”

Citing the four aspects of marketing—product, price, distribution, and marketing, the PCARRD ACD assistant director said that individuals or groups venturing into business must consider quality ingredients and comprehensive research and development as primary factors to attain and produce worthy products.

While innovation and packaging of products are also crucial to product development, market scenarios and trends should also be considered. These include consumer preferences like the fortification of food with vitamins and other healthy ingredients, organically produced and new flavor introduction. To best distribute the products, Frias cites neighborhood stalls, small stores, open market, and supermarkets as the best outlets to sell them.

The regional Technomart was joined by the consortium’s Partner Member Agencies (PMAs) and Farmer Information Technology Services (FITS) Centers across the region.

International food expo features MS Tubongbanua's mango processed products

Dr. Cora F. Navarra

RAC Coordinator

During the 2011 International Food Exhibits (IFEX) Philippines held May 12-14 at the SMX Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) showcased the mango sauce and mango catsup of Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Rebecca Tubongbanua of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

MS Tubongbanua belongs to the FITS OPA Guimaras, WESVARRDEC's partner member agency.

Other consortia products featured in the PCARRD-DOST booth were the pili oil and other pili-based food preparations from the Bicol Consortium of Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD); the coco sap sugar, coco sap syrup, frozen durian and durian jam of Southern Mindanao Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMARRDEC); and the strawberry jam by Highlands Agriculture Resources Research and Development Consortium (HARRDEC).

During the exhibits, free tasting of the mango catsup, strawberry jam, durian jam, and coco sap syrup elicited positive responses from the visitors and generated some sales of the products.

IFEX also featured foreign-owned food products and technologies and equipment for food manufacturing and packaging.

Part of the exhibition was a mango- eat-all-you-can done across the three-day expo. Guimaras mango was ordered by the Center for International Trade and Exhibitions and Missions (CITEM), event's lead sponsor.

Complementing PCARRD’s TechnoMart, a modality that bridges S&T-based products from the consortia through business mentoring and market matching, this year's IFEX allowed for consortia's MSs to bring their S&T-based products to bigger markets.

FITS Dumalag’s new facilities launched

By Isaac Abello

RAC Staff

It's a bigger and better Dumalag FITS Center.

After some nine months of construction and refurbishing of their facilities, the officials and personnel of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Dumalag, Capiz led the inauguration and blessing of their new facilities on May 4, 2011 in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz.

The new facilities are a two-room dormitory for male and female, a Training Hall that can accommodate 100 persons, and an 8m x 10 m Display Center which houses their bamboo products, vegetable and crops. Now, FITS Dumalag also boasts of the two refurbished offices, namely: the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist and the office of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries Council (MAFC).

Backed by Dumalag Mayor Lilia Castro, FITS Manager Ronelyn De Tomas welcomed some 200 guests representing 16 barangays of Dumalag town including farmers, government personnel, 4-H Club members and ordinary townsfolk. FITS Manager Ronelyn De Tomas attributed the achievement to the full support that FITS Center enjoys with a number of agencies and offices.

After De Tomas urged the farmers to patronize and maximize the use of these facilities, she thanked the agencies who helped and provided various types of assistance to FITS Center Dumalag—including PCARRD-DOST, WESVARRDEC, DTI Capiz and the Capiz State University, its partner member agency. De Tomas credited the full support of Vice-Mayor Eriberto Castro, chairman on agriculture Leo Teves and MAFC Chairman Noe Fantilaga and the entire personnel of Department of agriculture detailed in Dumalag.

The efforts and initiative of the center were well lauded by WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, Provincial Board Member Emile Ardivilla, DTI Capiz Director Ermelinda Pollentes and Techno Gabay Coordinator Anna Mae Relingo, who witnessed the said rites.

According to WESVARRDEC Director Idemne and RTGP Coordinator Relingo, FITS Dumalag ranks top in the FITS centers list, being equipped with a training hall, dormitory and display center. For its big number of activities and involvements in the consortium work in the past two years, the officials recommended the Center for nomination in the Best FITS Center in the Techno Gabay Awards this year.

For his part, Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra of the Capiz State University takes pride in the Center’s full involvement in the engineered bamboo, now considered a promising commodity nationwide. According to Navarra, regional and national PMAs are interested in visiting FITS Dumalag to see and learn firsthand the engineered bamboo technology of its Magsasaka Siyentista Randy Fancubila. Anytime soon, Capiz State University will facilitate said initiatives for the FITS Center.

Other representatives came from the DTI Capiz, the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) Region VI, Capiz State University and Pioneer Hybrid Seed Company.

BIGGER AND BETTER

The new facilities include (clockwise from left) a display center which houses

their bamboo products, vegetable and crops, dormitory for male and female

and a Training Hall that can accommodate 100 persons.

WESVARRDEC 101

The Rationale, Mandate, and Implications on Development of the Regional R&D Consortium

By Geronimo L. Gregorio, Ph.D., Coordinator, Regional Research & Development Group (RRDG)

Working on the premise that in unity there is strength and that individualism breeds unwholesome competitions and wastage of resources, various GOs and NGOs involved in R&D programs and activities in the region have joined hands to work for a common goal.

As an answer to the long-observed inefficiency in R&D work, the above agencies and institutions more or less come to a covenant grounded on the belief that working together is the demand of the time.

Through the efforts and leadership of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd), the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) was born in Region VI a few years ago. Similar consortia in the rest of the regions of the country were also put into existence with a multi-pronged objective geared mainly to upgrade, reorient and accelerate regional R&D undertakings. Now these consortia are getting stable and seemed to find themselves really essential as conduits of regional development.

In the light of the sluggishly growing economy, low farm incomes and productivity which manifest poverty in the rural and urban areas, R&D activities must find their way to address these complex problems. New technologies and innovations must be generated and more effective strategies of technology transfer must be evolved to make breakthroughs in agricultural production and improve the life of poverty-stricken households. Unfortunately, however, R&D agencies and institutions working individually did not make much to hit these targets. They seemed to have ended up with a status quo for years.

The formation of the regional R&D consortia then was thought by its framers and advocates as a solution to fragmented and random development efforts. By mandate, these consortia seek to unify efforts and pool resources—technical, financial, technological and material—to secure greater efficiency and productivity in agriculture and industries. Thus, their activities can effectively be identified, prioritized, planned, implemented, monitored, evaluated and coordinated. Under the present setup, member agencies can more efficiently collaborate and cooperate with each other hereby providing an open access for resource sharing. This scheme would undoubtedly maximize the utilization of both human and material resources of these agencies. In essence, it provides ample opportunities to these agencies for maximum participation and greater achievements in R&D undertakings.

These regional R&D consortia offer bright prospects both for member agencies and the people of the region whom these agencies are working for. These agencies can increase their R&D activities and become more participative in development work which must be a part of their mandate. Likewise, the people in their respective service areas can hope for more tangible, meaningful and lasting accomplishments essential to bring about and sustain agro-industrial development and progress.

For one, WESVARRDEC is apparently commissioned to take the lead in initiating and accelerating socioeconomic activities and development in their area of concern. This means their presence must revolutionize agro-industrial productivity, rehabilitate and protect the environment and improve the socioeconomic status of the poor. All member agencies then are challenged to come up with these expectations or else the consortium to which they belong will have a meaningless existence.

Reference

Gregorio, Geronimo L. “Regional R&D Consortium: Its Rationale, Mandate, and Developmental Implications.” The PSPC Journal 6:2. Capiz, Philippines: Panay Polytechnic State College, 1992.

PSF meets with WV PCARRD scholars

On May 28, 2009, PCARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, along with Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Jocelyn Eusebio, led the first regional meeting of Western Visayas-based PCARRD scholars at the College of Management in UP Visayas in Iloilo City.

Of the 70 registered PCARRD scholars in the region, who were given scholarship since 1970s, six scholars attended the meeting. They included Greta Gabinete of the West Visayas State University (WVSU); Rector Latoza and Salvacion Legaspi of Capiz State University (CapSU); Roman Sanares and Gerald Quinitio of University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas; and Lolita Quino of LGU Dumangas.

Among others, Faylon said that the scholars from the region can be tapped to pitch in as consultants, mentors and experts needed in trainings, seminars and other similar activities initiated by WESVARRDEC. According to Faylon, PCARRD spends 50% of its annual budget to invest in human resources.

Recognizing the need to beef up the research and development arm of its member consortiums, PCARRD's scholarship policies from this time onwards are said to be more accommodating. In particular, current scholarships for this year are awarded 15,000 pesos stipend for M.S. scholars and 20,000 pesos stipend for Ph.D. Scholars. Even contractual employees of organizations and university extension offices can apply for a scholarship.

Meanwhile, Dr. Eusebio said that more participation from scholars in the region is needed. For this purpose, a general assembly of scholars, for example, within the year can virtually start the ball rolling.

PSF graces Buenavista FITS center launch

by Niño Manaog, RACG Staff
Photo by Bill Gange, RMISG Staff

Work together as a team. This is what PCARRD Executive Director Patricio Faylon urged the major stakeholders at the launch of the 34th Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on May 27, 2009 at Buenavista, Guimaras.

Addressing Buenavista's local officials, Faylon stressed on the importance of cooperation and “working together” between the local government unit (LGU) of Buenavista and PCARRD.

Faylon also said that the farmers and staff members of the new FITS Center can rely on the assistance of PCARRD to be extended through the WESVARRDEC based at the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas. The local officials in turn welcomed the presence of the new farmers' infotech center.

The PCARRD Executive Director himself led the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) and the launching of the FITS Center in Poblacion Buenavista. Both events were hosted by the local government of Buenavista, Guimaras under the leadership of Mayor Samuel Gumarin.

WESVARRDEC joins national farmer scientists confab

WESVARRDESK
A team of farmer scientists and researchers from Western Visayas including (seated, from left) Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Rebecca Tubongbanua, Consortium Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne, MS Margarito Andrade, MS Dennis Tababa, and MS Luel Divinagracia represented the Western Visayas Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during the National MS Consultation Workshop led by PCARRD. The activity was held at the Splash Mountain Resort Hotel in Los Baños, Laguna on March 30 and 31. (Niño Manaog/RACO)

Photo by Butch S. Pagcaliwagan
PCARRD S&T Media Service