The Agri-Aqua Innovation Challenge 2024 is back! After its first run in 2022, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), Asian Institute of Management (AIM), and Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) collaborate again to convene top agri-aqua startup and student teams for a 12-month challenge.

The Agri-Aqua Innovation Challenge 2024 or AAIC 2024 is a DOST-PCAARRD project being led by Prof. Matthew George O. Escobido of AIM.

Participant categories include: Startups and Student Teams. Startups are businesses at an early stage with formal business registration either, through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), or the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) within at least 7 years ago. A Startup member  should not be a finalist of a previous edition of the Innovation Challenge or a recipient of a DOST Startup Grant Fund (SGF) to be qualified to participate.

Student Teams, on the other hand, are college or graduate students who have not yet formalized their innovation journey but have a technology that can be transformed into a product as a basis of their business. 

The Innovation Challenge aims to translate research into actual products and services that will benefit more Filipinos and support the agri-aqua sector.

DOST-PCAARRD’s 25 Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators (ATBI) will support the accepted teams. Participants need to identify their preferred ATBIs, which will endorse them to complete their application.

The ATBI program is designed to support agribusiness startups and enterprises. It aims to accelerate the commercialization of agriculture and aquatic technologies by providing incubation services, technical assistance, and access to resources for entrepreneurs.

During the program, accepted applicants will undergo training and expert mentorship to be provided by AIM and MAP. After every milestone, the qualifying teams will receive funding support and benefits.

The final pitch will happen during the Demo Day where five startups and five student teams will demonstrate their product and pitch their businesses to potential customers, partners, and investors.

Investment grants await the teams that will make it to the Demo Day. At least P100,000 will be given to each student team and P200,000 to each startup. Grand winners will get much more — P400,000 for the student teams and P1 million for the startups. The ATBI will be given P50,000 when their incubatee is selected for the final round. This ensures continual support to the teams and enrichment of the ATBI program.

Interested teams are encouraged to apply online at agri-aqua.aim.edu on or before 11:59 PM on October 31, 2024. Likewise, an Information Session for the aspiring teams will be held on October 17, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm via Zoom. For inquiries, please contact the Agri-Aqua Innovation Challenge Secretariat via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Leading breeders, crop scientists, policy movers, and industry players recently gathered at the International Conference for Crop Science and Breeding 2024, which was hosted by the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) and the Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceana (SABRAO). The conference was co-organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). 

Held at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, the conference, themed, “Emerging Paradigms in Crop Science and Breeding: Cultivating Sustainable Solutions and Partnerships for a Resilient Future,” highlighted cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships in crop science and breeding, aimed at shaping the future of agriculture.

CSSP President Ann Mylalulex A. Magnaye, along with SEARCA Director and SABRAO President Glenn B. Gregorio, officially opened the event. Meanwhile, Academician  Eufemio Rasco Jr. of the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) and a renowned figure in Philippine plant breeding, delivered the keynote address, sharing lessons from his 53 years of outstanding work in the field. 

“Our goal is to enhance life, forests, and communities. Let us continue to embrace diverse knowledge, focus on impactful research, and advocate the broader conservation and utilization of genetic resources,” Dr. Rasco said.

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora served as one of the resource speakers in the plenary session focused on sustainable partnerships in crop science and breeding, along with distinguished speakers Dr. Manuel L. Logroño of Maize Life and Farming Sciences, Dr. Eureka Teresa M. Ocampo of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Ms. Francine Sayoc of Asia and Pacific Seed Association, and Dr. Ramakrishnan M. Nair of World Vegetable Center-South and Central Asia. The session highlighted perspectives and collaborations among the government, private sector, academia, and international research organizations. 

Throughout the conference, experts presented various research initiatives in crop production and management, crop physiology and biochemistry, postharvest handling, processing and utilization, health and nutrition, technology transfer and promotion, and socio-economics through seminars, technical presentations, and poster sessions. 

Outstanding achievements in crop science were also recognized, including UPLB’s DOST-PCAARRD-funded technology “BanaTech” that won the 2024 CSSP Achievement Award in Technology Development.

Incoming CSSP President and DOST-PCAARRD Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina concluded the event with a call for continued advancements in crop science and breeding. The conference also featured the oath-taking of new members, newly elected officers, and board members of CSSP and SABRAO. 

Staff members from DOST-PCAARRD’s CRD, Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD), and Office of the Executive Director-Administration, Resource Management and Support Services (OED-ARMSS) attended the event.

A biofungicide derived from entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), specifically Beauveria bassiana and Isaria fomosorosea, was developed and field-tested as a biological control agent (BCA) against tomato black leaf mold (TBLM).

TBLM is caused by the fungus Pseudocercospora fuligena, which causes the growth of brown mold on leaf surfaces. At a severe infection rate, it can cause severe leaf damage, reduced fruit quality, and significant yield losses.

The biofungicide was developed by Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) through the project, “Development of Formulated Entomopathogenic Fungi (EPF) as Biofungicide against Tomato Black Leaf,” led by Dr. Jonar I. Yago, NVSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training. Collaborating with NVSU in this project are the Provincial Agriculture Office, Municipal Agriculture Office, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Offices 1, 2, and 3, Tomato Growers Association, and the local government units of Kasibu, Kayapa, Sta. Fe, and Dupax del Sur in Nueva Vizcaya; Bongabong and San Jose in Mindoro; Badoc in Ilocos Norte; and Sinait in Ilocos Sur.

Results of the trials 

In a tomato growing area in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, where disease severity of TBLM ranged from 16.75% to 24.65%, use of EPF biofungicide significantly decreases disease severity from 7.30% to 7.35%, compared with the disease severity of plants applied with synthetic fungicides at 9%.

The biofungicide also reduced TBLM disease severity from 43.12% to 8.12–8.50% in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, and from 42.35% to 6.59–7.11% in Cadanglaan, Sinait, Ilocos Sur.

This figure is a stark difference from the 12.35% disease severity of TBLM in tomato plants treated with synthetic fungicide.

In terms of yield, the biofungicide showed significantly higher yields of up to 2.6 kg per plant or up to 26 tons per hectare (t/ha). This is higher than the yield of tomato plants applied with synthetic fungicide, with 2.3 kg per plant or 23 t/ha, and control plants without any application, with 0.72 kg per plant or 7.2 t/ha.

According to the researchers, results of the trials challenged farmers’ dependence on synthetic fungicides and highlighted the biofungicide as the more sustainable and effective solution to managing TBLM and increasing productivity in the tomato plantation. 

To promote the EPF biofungicide and convince farmers to end their reliance on synthetic fungicides, the project team trained the 182 farmer-participants in Regions 1, 2, and 3 on biological control of TBLM using the formulated EPF biofungicide. As part of the support of the project team, two isolates were provided to 16 Regional Crop Protection Centers to be added as BCAs against insect pests. 

Sustainable technology for better income 

The EPF-derived biofungicide would entail P156,711.25, which is P9,138.75 less than the cost of the synthetic fungicide per hectare, while yield per hectare for the biofungicide is at 22,480 kg, which is 4,320 kg more than the yield of tomatoes that used synthetic fungicide.

Using the biofungicide, the farmer’s net income can reach up to P292,888.75 per hectare (/ha), which is almost P100,000/ha difference from the plantation that used synthetic fungicide. 

The said project is an entry/finalist under the Research Category in the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on October 2, 2024. Winners of the award will be conferred during the DOST-PCAARRD’s 2024 S&T Awards and Recognition ceremony in November 2024.

NSAARRD, annually spearheaded by DOST-PCAARRD, recognizes outstanding contributions in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector in the country.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) continue to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable water management through an advocacy launch themed, “Advancing Resilience and Sustainability through P-WES: An Advocacy Launch.” 

Organized by the UPLB Interdisciplinary Studies Center for Integrated Natural Resources and Environment Management (UPLB-INREM) and the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI), the event was held on September 12, 2024, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

The advocacy launch is a key activity of the ongoing DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, “Advocating for the Institutionalization of Payment for Water Ecosystem Service (P-WES) in the Philippines,” led by Dr. Asa Jose Sajise of UPLB. The activity aims to engage local and national stakeholders in establishing and institutionalizing a framework to compensate providers of essential water-related ecosystem services. The launch seeks to rally support from key stakeholders by raising awareness about the significance of P-WES in the Philippines and related institutional initiatives. 

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, opened the advocacy launch, emphasizing the Council’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote ecological balance and sustainable resource management. UPLB Professor and UPLB-INREM Director Juan M. Pulhin further highlighted that while the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) implementation and development entails numerous challenges, it is crucial for raising public awareness, protecting people’s rights to balanced and healthful ecology, and guiding the development and implementation of water resource management mechanisms.

The advocacy launch featured presentations from key experts, including Senator Loren Legarda, Dir. Ruben Gamala of UPRI, Dr. Canesio Predo, Dean Marlo Mendoza, Dr. Rosario Tatlonghari and Dr. Asa Jose Sajise of UPLB. 

These presentations showcased lessons from previously concluded DOST-PCAARRD-funded projects, such as the “Research for Development: Payment for Ecosystem Services Outcome for Sustainable Water Provision (R4D: PESO SWaP) in Barobbob Watershed, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines” and “Assessment of payment for water ecosystem services (P-WES) initiatives towards the development of a Philippine PES protocol.”

The presentations covered lectures demonstrating the integration of science and economics to determine potential PWES arrangements, the initial and working draft of the PWES ordinance, the monitoring and evaluation plan, and the comprehensive synthesis of different PWES initiatives. 

In the open forum, concerns were raised regarding the integration of climate change adoption as part of the PES, the inclusion of different water dimensions (e.g., water for waste disposal, water for nature and aquaculture), initiatives and innovations to capacitate local government units (LGUs) given the constraints and limited resources, and the development of localized criteria to connect stewards and providers of PES. 

The launch concluded with a discussion on the draft of the Department Administrative Order (DAO) for developing PES guidelines to finance river basin and watershed management, presented by Dir. Sevillo David, Jr. of DENR-RBCO and a presentation of the drafted national PWES policy and protocol by Atty. Fritzielyn Palmiery. 

The drafted DAO provides guidelines for PES water users and actors, incorporating PES provisions into local water supply systems, local ordinances, inter-local government unit cooperation, and capacity-building programs adaptive to the needs of PES actors. It also emphasizes the dissemination of the PES toolkit. 

Meanwhile, the drafted national PWES policy focuses on developing the PES toolkit, managing and administering the P-WES fund, establishing exemption or incentive schemes, and fostering collaboration among agencies (e.g., DENR, Department of Interior and Local Government [DILG], Local Water Utilities Administration [LWUA], nongovernmental organizations [NGOs], Civil Society Organizations [CSOs]). 

It coordinates with existing management bodies like watershed and river management councils and water quality management boards. The protocol addresses P-WES’ scientific, economic, institutional, and government aspects covering implementation, management, monitoring, evaluation, and the impact assessment of water quality, quantity, regime, and price.  

The advocacy launch was attended by various stakeholders from DENR-RBCO; DILG; UPRI; Resources, Environment and Economic Center for Studies, Inc. (REECS); and some representatives from the Congress.