Patuloy ang pagtangkilik sa igat o ‘freshwater eel’ sa lokal at pandaigdigang merkado dahil sa taglay nitong lasa at linamnam. Ito ang nagtulak sa mga mananaliksik mula sa Cagayan Valley upang linangin ang industriyang ito sa tulong ng isang simple ngunit kagila-gilalas na inobasyon.
Malaking tulong sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ang kontribusyon ng industriya ng igat. Sa mga nakalipas na ilang taon, Pilipinas ang isa sa mga pangunahing pinagkukunan ng igat ng mga bansa gaya ng Japan, China, South Korea, at Taiwan. Nanatili ring maganda ang pagtangkilik ng mga mamimili lalo na sa kanayunan.
Upang patuloy na pag-ibayuhin ang industriya ng igat, pinangunahan ni Dr. Isagani Angeles, Jr. ng Isabela State University (ISU) ang proyektong makapagpapabuti ng pagpapakain sa mga igat. Layon ng proyektong ito na mapataas ang dami ng mga nabubuhay na igat habang pinapalaki ito. Nilinang ng proyekto ang mga halamang gaya ng kangkong at Azolla bilang dagdag na pakain. Napatunayan na ang mga halamang ito ay nagpapalakas ng resistensiya ng mga igat laban sa mga sakit at impeksyon.
Sa loob ng 8 buwan, natuklasan ng grupo ni Dr. Angeles ang mas masaganang produksyon ng igat kapag ginamitan ng dagdag na 2% kangkong at 2% Azolla ‘extracts’ sa pakain. Epektibo nitong iniingatan ang mga igat laban sa impeksyon ng Aeromonas hydrophila na isang malaking problema sa industriya. Kapansin-pansin din ang mas positibong paglaki, pagbigat, at pagdami ng mga nabubuhay na igat.
Payo ni Dr. Angeles na gamitin ang ganitong pakain araw-araw sa loob ng 6 na buwan o hanggang lumaki ang mga igat ng hanggang anim na pulgada.
Plano ng grupo ni Dr. Angeles na mapabuti ang industriya ng igat at makilala ang Cagayan Valley bilang sentro sa produksyon ng igat sa bansa. Inaasahan na sa mga susunod na panahon, lalong pagtutuunan ng pansin ng grupo ang mga kaukulang pananaliksik sa estado, uri, at saribuhay ng igat sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa gaya ng Bicol, Cotabato, at Butuan.
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) participated as one of the major sponsors during the 2nd Organic Agriculture Fair (OA Fair) held recently at the Organic Agriculture Research, Development and Extension Center (OARDEC) of University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
Francis Dan Olegario of ARMRD distributes publications to participants (Image credit: ARMRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The 2nd OA Fair was a vibrant showcase of organic products and initiatives, with 22 exhibitors and sellers offering a diverse range of fresh vegetables, fruits, organic processed foods, non-food products, organic soil amendments, and handicrafts. The fair also engaged more than 600 participants who had sampled delicious delicacies from nine food booths and learned from selected OA practitioners and agencies supporting OA in the Philippines, including Dr. Bernadette San Juan of (NOAP), Ms. Elizabeth Gregorio of DA-CALABARZON, Ms. Simonette Lim from the office of the 2nd District Representative of Laguna Ruth Hernandez, UPLB Vice Chancellor Robert Cereno, UPLB College of Agriculture and Food Sciences Dean Elpidio Agbisit Jr., and Dr. Rodmyr F. Datoon of (ASI).
DOST-PCAARRD also showcased its eLibrary during the fair. Since it can be accessed online, the DOST-PCAARRD eLibrary is convenient and essential for anyone looking to delve into new topics or deepen their understanding of OA.
DOST-PCAARRD, through its Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) and Applied Communications Division (ACD), highlighted and showcased R&D initiatives and disseminated publications spearheaded by the Council. Among the featured publications were the Training Manual on Organic Agriculture in the Philippines and Information Bulletins on the Organic Production of Ampalaya, Cucumber, Eggplant, Okra, Lettuce, Pepper, Pole Sitao, Squash, Tomato, Carrot, Cabbage, Garden Pea, and Potato.
OA Fair exhibitors from left to right: MASIPAG, SIERREZA, ARTFARM Sustainable Solutions and Samahan ng Organikong Industriya (SOIL), SAMATAYO, Majayjay Organic Farmers Association. (Image credit: UPLB, ARTFARM Sustainable Solutions and Samahan ng Organikong Industriya ng Laguna, and Yet Valentin of MOFA)
Furthermore, the Council had also supported exhibitors such as Sierreza, ARTFARMS, SOIL, SAMATAYO, MOFA, and Magsasaka at Siyentipiko para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura (MASIPAG) to participate in the fair to promote locally-produced organic agriculture products and services.
The OA fair also celebrated the contributions of Ms. Alice Valdoria, Ms. Cherrys Abrigo, and Ms. Suzette Sales who were recognized for their roles in promoting organic farming, entrepreneurship and cooperative initiatives during the fair’s “OA sa Galing Segment.” Moreover, preparation of healthy and simple recipes with fresh vegetables and all-natural ingredients were demonstrated by Chef Von Ryan Ebron and Mr. Rommel Bailey.
The OA Fair is an annual event organized by the UPLB Agricultural Systems Institute - College of Agriculture and Food Science (ASI-CAFS), Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Organic Agriculture (IdSC-OA), and the UPLB Foundation, Inc. (UPLB-FI) as a part of its commitment to advance the science and practice of OAby intensifying public awareness and engagement of the general public.
The strategic partnership among DOST-PCAARRD, ASI-CAFS, IdSC-OA, and UPLB-FI supports the priorities of the Council under the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda (HNRDA) for the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector. The HNRDA supports Agriculture 4.0 that is smart, green, and S&T-based. It includes different farming techniques such as urban farming and organic agriculture. The Council provides augmentation funds to qualified professional/scientific and academic organizations that pursue activities in support of the Council’s advocacies, banner programs, and goals.
Current aquaculture techniques on producing bivalves in the Philippines is mostly focused on farming oysters and mussels with lack of information on the breeding and production of blood cockles (Anadara granosa) also (Tegillarca granosa), locally called as ‘litob’ in Western Visayas.
At present, there is no spawning and hatchery technique for blood cockle production in the Philippines. The project, “Development of spawning and hatchery techniques for the blood cockle (A. granosa) for sustainable aquaculture,” studies the biology, spawning cycles, and environmental ranges of blood cockles to translate these into working technologies for both hatchery and grow-out efforts suitable for the condition in the Philippines. Led by Dr. Victor Marco Emmanuel N. Ferriols of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), the said project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
The successfully produced blood cockle spats in tank. (Image credit: MRRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The blood cockle is a marine bivalve species found mostly in intertidal or marginally subtidal regions. It thrives in areas with soft substrates such as mudflats adjacent to mangrove forests (Broom 1985). This species is known to have a reddish flesh because of the presence of red blood pigment, hemoglobin, which also aids in their survival in low-oxygen environments (Broom 1985; Mohite and Meshram 2015).
Although blood cockles were found throughout the country, exploitation of this fishery commodity is only limited to the harvesting of wild stocks, mainly for local consumption. These bivalves can demand high prices in East Asian countries and are considered as a high-value seafood in the market. As a proof of its high-value demand, the Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market Cooperative Union (NFWMCU) is interested in exporting these bivalves for the Korean market and is willing to support R&D initiatives to ensure sustainability of this resource.
DOST-PCAARRD and UPV Project Team during the laboratory visit where the experimental set-up for the blood cockle project was shown. (Image credit: MRRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The ongoing project was recently visited for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) by the Marine Resources Research Division (MRRD) of DOST-PCAARRD headed by Dr. Mari-Ann M. Acedera together with her technical staff.
During the M&E at the UPV-Institute of Aquaculture, Dr. Ferriols presented the accomplishments and the current status of the project, which has successfully mapped sites for the culture beds, generated information on the gonad conditions of brood stock from monthly collections in target sites, and successfully produced approximately 10,000 blood cockle spats ranging from 2.5 – 12mm, which are ready for field release trials. Moreover, Dr. Ferriols presented the first blood cockle hatchery constructed in Kalibo, Aklan, which was supported by GM Fisheries Ltd. Co. of the Republic of Korea.
Part of the M&E was a visit to the Laboratory showing the experimental setups of blood cockles. The project also seeks to contribute S&T-based information towards development of policies and guidelines on implementing ranching techniques in blood cockle fishery in selected sites.
DOST-PCAARRD recently held an inception meeting via videoconferencing for the implementation of the Visayas State University (VSU)-led project under the Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) Research. (Image credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The sustainable production of verified hybrid coconut seedlings through a project led by the Visayas State University (VSU) will support coconut productivity in Eastern Visayas.
The project, “Marker Development for Coconut Hybridity Testing for Efficient Hybrid Seed Production in Eastern Visayas,” was recently launched through an inception meeting via videoconferencing by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Mr. Jovannemar P. Anire of VSU’s National Coconut Research Center (NCRC) leads this project funded by DOST-PCAARRD through the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) Research.
According to Mr. Anire, the current distribution of hybrid seedlings may include off-types and non-hybrids due to the reliance on phenotypic characterization, or the quantitative analysis of observable traits such as appearance, in hybrid seedling selection.
Through the project, the team of Mr. Anire aims to develop and use simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for coconut germplasm diversity assessment and hybridity testing to ensure quality and pure hybrid seedlings before distribution and planting. This approach offers a more accurate, efficient, cost-effective, and accessible hybrid seed verification.
NCRC holds a collection of local coconut germplasms that have the potential to serve as pollen sources for hybrid production within the Eastern Visayas region.
During the meeting, NCRC Director Marisel A. Leorna assured that the project activities align with the goals of the Center to promote sustainable coconut production of verified hybrids and enhance the status of the coconut industry in the Visayas.
Meanwhile, Regional Manager Joel O. Pilapil echoed PCA Region VIII’s support to the project as its results will contribute to ensuring the legitimacy of the coconut hybrids and traditional varieties to be distributed within and outside the region.
Coconut planting materials from the National Coconut Research Center (NCRC) of Visayas State University (VSU). (Image Credit: CRD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora affirmed the Council's continued partnership with VSU in addressing regional and industry-wide persisting gaps through the newly launched project.
Also present in the activity were representatives from DOST Region VIII, PCA Research and Development Branch, and PCA CFIDP Project Management Office (PMO).
Key staff from the DOST-PCAARRD Crops Research Division (CRD) headed by Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, including Program Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Assistant Section Head Kristine Joy P. de Guzman and Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Coconut Alissa Carol M. Ibarra facilitated the said activity with support from Finance and Administrative Division (FAD)-Accounting Section, represented by Accountant Jaivee Ann M. Tabadero.
For decades, the Philippine government has been promoting and investing in developing the country’s Industrial tree plantations (ITPs) and tree farms. Despite the efforts to boost the ITP industry, the supply gap persists due to policy constraints in producing, harvesting, transporting, processing, and marketing naturally grown timber and wood products.
For. Tolentino (left) and Dr. Bugayong (right) while presenting the overview of the project and the highlights of the draft policy, respectively. (Image credit: UPLB-ITP Project Team)
Acknowledging the policy issues in the ITP industry, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) supported the project, “Enhancing the Growth of Tree Plantation Industries in the Philippines: Simplification and Harmonization of Policies and Governance along the Value Chain,” implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) under the leadership of Dr. Leonida A. Bugayong. The project seeks to analyze policies, legal requirements, and governance structures throughout the ITP value chain, and develop and advocate a simplified and harmonized policy for ITP.
Participants and the discussion panel including Dr. Bugayong, Dr. Precy C. Dolom, and For. Tolentino during the open forum. (Image credit: UPLB-ITP Project Team)
On April 25, 2024, the UPLB project team conducted the first regional stakeholders consultation at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Agusan del Norte Conference Hall, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, marking a significant step in refining the draft policy for ITP. The event brought together key stakeholders from various sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, People’s Organizations (POs), and a state university in Caraga Region.
Notable participants included representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Office; DENR-PENRO of Agusan del Norte; DENR-City Environment & Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Talacogan, Butuan, Tubod, and Nasipit; Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Caraga; and Caraga State University (CSU). Key DOST-PCAARRD officials/representatives also attended.
Group discussion on issues and problems on harvesting and transport during the workshop activity. (Image credit: UPLB-ITP Project Team)
The event commenced with Officer-In-Charge and PENR Officer Joseph Leo E. Oconer, setting the tone for a fruitful dialogue and collaboration. For. Noel L. Tolentino followed by providing an insightful overview of the project. He emphasized the main objective of the project—to develop and advocate simplified and harmonized policy and governance along the value chain toward the growth of the ITP industry in the Philippines.
Dr. Bugayong then presented the draft policy that had undergone a rigorous review by 24 institutions and organizations comprising the technical working group. The draft policy, covering all stages of the ITP value chain, aims to establish a one-stop-shop mechanism, simplifying processes and facilitating ease of compliance for stakeholders.
After the presentation of the draft ITP policy, an open forum and workshop were conducted to gather the issues and problems encountered in the existing policies and governance systems along the ITP value chain. Specifically, discussions focused on the stages of pre-production, production, harvesting and transport, utilization and processing, and investment, marketing, and sales. Participants and group facilitators proposed recommendations for the identified issues and problems. The outputs were presented and a synthesis concluded the event.
The project team will continue its efforts with two additional regional stakeholder consultation meetings planned for Regions 10 and 11. This initiative will further advance the advocacy for simplified and harmonized policies and governance systems along the ITP value chain, contributing to the growth of the tree plantation industries in the country.
