The root crop industry shall witness game-changing solutions as various science institutes and universities share their research and development (R&D) outputs through the Root Crops Farms and Industry Encounters through the Science and Technology Agenda (FIESTA).

The celebration of the Root Crops FIESTA is on April 24-25, 2024 at the Visayas State University, Baybay City in Leyte. With the theme “Sustainable and Effective Solutions for Climate Change, Urbanization, Research, Economic, and Development (SECURED),” this FIESTA aims to showcase R&D outputs pioneered by research and academic institutions in the Visayas. 

Visit the Root Crops FIESTA to discover more about the industry. Learn from expert scientists, successful farmers, and distinguished business owners at the FIESTA technology forum. Industry players can also witness emerging technologies ready for commercialization at the FIESTA technology pitching event.

Among the technologies that will be featured are farming technologies such as sweetpotato weevil pheromone, hydroponic vertical gardening systems, and root crop fertilization technologies. In food processing, portable vacuum fryers, root crop chippers, and portable flour machines will be featured. And don’t miss out on food technologies like taro wine, taro brownies, sweet potato flour, ubi pastillas, and more.

Funded by the Philippine Council on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), this celebration is brought to us by the  Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC), the Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC), and the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Resources Program (ViCARP).

Learn more about the Root Crops FIESTA on facebook.com/FIESTAPCAARRD.

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) granted trademark approval to the logo of LB Veggie Move on September 5, 2023, marking a significant achievement for Los Baños' local supply chain. This milestone solidifies LB Veggie Move's identity and highlights its decade-long dedication to delivering fresh and safe locally sourced vegetables. The trademark, valid for ten years, symbolizes triumph for the local supply chain. 

LB Veggie Move’s logo represents the online platform utilized by The Association of Safe Fruit and Vegetable Growers in Los Baños (ASFVG-LB) to sell their produce. Developed through the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) project, "Development of Inclusive Resilient S&T-Based Vegetable Supply Chain for the New Normal," the platform offers a variety of vegetables sourced directly from local farms in Los Baños, Laguna. More than just a convenience, this platform is a beacon of sustainability, offering vegetables cultivated without pesticides and adhering to Internal Control System (ICS) practices, thus promoting both health benefits and the economic welfare of local farmers.

The initiative aimed to establish a resilient vegetable supply chain for Los Baños through a supply chain management system created by the Council’s Agri-Aqua Business Hub (AABH). This system enables farmers to transport their produce to a central consolidation facility, streamlining collection, storage, and distribution for direct farm-to-consumer and institutional arrangements. LB Veggie Move serves as the marketing arm for this revolutionary endeavor.

The recent trademark approval signifies LB Veggie Move's unwavering dedication to delivering safe and fresh vegetables to everyone’s doorstep. Furthermore, ASFVG-LB has solidified its commitment to fostering partnerships and enhancing direct farmer-buyer relationships. During the 2023 Agrilink at the World Trade Center, the association signed a  Memorandum of Understanding alongside seven farmers' organizations and five major food companies including Kitchen City, Global Food Solutions, Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (PHILFOODEX), and Hilas Marketing Corporation, solidifying their partnership for direct product marketing.

Discover and purchase fresh and safe local vegetables by visiting LB Veggie Move today: https://www.lbveggiemove.com/

The Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of DOST-PCAARRD facilitated the trademark registration process with IPOPHL.

Integration of gender dimension in research and development (R&D) ensures that scientific and innovative outputs create beneficial and positive impacts on women and men stakeholders. In pursuit of gender-responsive R&D, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) continues to enhance gender mainstreaming by conducting a training-workshop with the members of the Council’s Gender and Development-Technical Working Group (GAD TWG) in La Trinidad, Benguet, on February 19–23, 2024.

The training, “Planning-Workshop cum Training on Enhancement of Gender and Development Integration for DOST-PCAARRD GAD TWG Members,” aimed to enhance the knowledge of GAD TWG members on gender-responsive practices in the Council. The planning-workshop seeks to develop actionable steps to improve gender integration in the R&D process and to increase the TWG members’ awareness and practical skills in using gender integration strategies, fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration among participants.

Dr. Blesshe L. Querijero, a GAD expert and member of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) National GAD Resource Pool, served as the Resource Person in the five-day planning-workshop. She facilitated the identification of entry points for gender integration and formulation of TWG’s actions and solutions to enhance gender integration in each of DOST-PCAARRD’s Banner Programs. TWG members have actively engaged in the discussions by sharing their experiences having direct connections and communication with Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) managers and implementers. 

The planning-workshop comprised two phases. The initial phase introduced gender mainstreaming strategies, involving discussions on addressing each GAD core element by revising specific sections of the project proposals directly managed by TWG members. 

The second phase of the workshop was TWG members’ opportunity to apply and practice these strategies firsthand to enhance their project proposals.

Through this activity, the Council acknowledges the roles of TWG members as key advocates who hold focal positions for GAD integration to ensure GAD in DOST-PCAARRD-funded programs and projects. TWG members were equipped with an increased appreciation of GAD concepts, tools, and skills in GAD integration to the design, management, and implementation of DOST-PCAARRD-funded programs and projects.

This planning-workshop is one of the capacity-building initiatives of the DOST-PCAARRD-funded and -implemented project, “Enhancement of Gender and Development Integration Towards a More Inclusive R&D in AANR.” The project is implemented under the Gender and Development and Special Projects Unit (GADSPU) of Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) of DOST-PCAARRD.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the  Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women's empowerment in agriculture through its participation in the 2nd International Conference on Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture (WELA). In collaboration with the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), the hybrid conference took place in Naga City from March 11–12, 2024. 

Themed “Celebrating women leaders in championing the SDGs,” WELA gathered faculty members, researchers, policymakers, students, and local government units (LGU). Throughout the two-day event, discussions were focused on women leadership in agriculture and food security, women leading in peace and conflict resolution, gender in research and governance, development of policy briefs, quality alternative education, social entrepreneurship, and more.  

In his message of support, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora highlighted that the Council has always believed that gender considerations are pivotal to high-quality research with the ultimate aim of advancing gender equality and social inclusion in the country. This has been echoed by CBSUA President Alberto N. Nepali and the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Hae Kyong Yu, Public Service Medal (PSM), who both recognized that inclusivity and women empowerment should be pursued for AANR innovation to move forward. 

WELA is an annual conference initiated by the Filipina Meryl Williams Fellows (MWF). It has been an effective platform for exchanging updated scientific knowledge and experiences in forwarding gender in sustainable development. This year’s WELA brought in notable speakers from various technical and cultural backgrounds across the globe to share their expertise from their fields.

The conference is composed of three plenary sessions, each discussing women’s leadership roles in various sectors. The first day of the conference mainly focused on discussing the linkages of women in fisheries management, organic and root crop value chains, rural development, food security, research and development (R&D), and peace and conflict management. The speakers presented the best practices and frameworks that empower women to take on leadership roles. The second day continued with the promotion of Gender and Development (GAD) in education, R&D, and entrepreneurship. Speakers presented positive impacts and contributions of integrating GAD in program and systems design.

Four DOST-PCAARRD-funded GAD projects were presented in the two-day conference including projects on “Expanding Organic Vegetable Production Capacity Building of Female Farmers in Organic Vegetable Production and Marketing in Laguna;” “Development of S&T-based Gender-responsive and Crisis-resilient Root and Tuber Crops Value Chain Through a Participatory Market Chain Approach” led by Dr. Lorna E. Sister from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB); “Gender Analysis Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools in Gender Responsive AANR Development Projects (GAME Tools in AANR)” under the leadership of Dr. Blesshe L. Querijero (UPLB); and “Annotated Compendium of Gender and Development Research in Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR): Towards Developing the AANR Gender and Development Research and Development Agenda and Framework” under Dr. Glory Dee A. Romo (UP Mindanao).

The 2nd International Conference on WELA was conducted in close partnership between  CBSUA (host), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australian Aid, DOST-PCAARRD, Cavite State University, UP Mindanao, Mindanao State University-Naawan, Caraga State University, Xavier University, Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges-V (PASUC V), and the Philippine Association of Research Managers-Bicol. DOST-PCAARRD has been supporting qualified professional/scientific and academic organizations that pursue activities advocating the Council’s banner programs and goals. The 3rd WELA was announced to be hosted by MSU-Naawan in March 2025.