As a pre-event activity of the PCAARRD Exhibit and Awarding Ceremony, the
National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) was conducted to select the best papers in the research and development categories.
NSAARRD recognizes the most outstanding contribution of individuals and institutions in the country for the advancement of the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources through R&D.
In the research category, the paper “Utilization of mango peels as source of pectin” by the team of Dr. Ma. Cristina B. Gragasin, Aileen R. Ligisan, Rosalina C. Torres, and Romulo R. Estrella of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) of the Central Luzon Agriculture Research and Development Consortium (CLARRDEC) bagged the first prize.
“Design and development of an automated hot water treatment for mango” by Thomas D. Ubiña, Willen Mark D. Manzanas, Romaric G. Ascaño, Samuel S. Franco, Gliceria Pascua, and Ma. Luisa S. Gabriel of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the base agency of the Ilocos Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium, came in second.
In third place was “Morphology, phylogeny, and biology of twig blight disease (TBD) of citrus caused by Haematonectria haematococca” by the group of Dr. Jonar I. Yago, Marilou G. Abon, Thep Pongparnich, Danuwat Peng-ont, Suncha Kojinok, and Kuang-Ren Chung of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU)-Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVARRD).
For the development category, “Development of national control strategies for “Brontispa longissima, Gestro, an introduced pest of coconut in the Philippines with emphasis on biological control” by Ma. Cynthia E. Gallego, Vivencio C. Gallego, and Ivorie J. dela Torre of the Philippine Coconut Authority -Davao Research Center (PCA-DRC) of the Southern Mindanao Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium won the top plum.
Winning second place was “Solid waste management cum organic fertilizer production in Angeles City: Support to high value vegetable production” by Fe L. Porciuncula, Clarita P. Aganon, Arturo O. Manipon, Constancia C. Dacumos, Rodolfo D. Martin, and Melchor P. Pascua from Central Luzon State University (CLSU) of CLARRDEC.
The third place went to “Peanut Seed Security Support Program in Region 2” by Rose Mary G. Aquino, Orlando J. Lorenzana, Norma A. Nerona, Lorenzo M. Caranguian, Virgilio E. Adriatico, Gumersindo D. Lasam, Lucresio R. Alviar, Jr., Robert B. Olinares, Carlos Paterno A. Malana, Vanessa Joy V. Fortin, and Roman M. Santos, Jr. of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DA-RFU) 2's Cagayan Valley Integrated Agricultural Research Center (CVIARC), a member agency of CVARRD.
This year’s NSAARRD board of judges was composed of Mr. Ramon A. Oliveros of International Rice Research Institute, Engr. Henry H. Tristeza of National Food Authority–Region 2, and Dr. Eduardo C. Sison of the MADECOR Group. Engr. Cristituto C. Mangaoang served as special judge on behalf of Engr. Tristeza during the symposium proper.