In support of advancing integrated nutrition and food systems research, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently hosted a scientific visit by Dr. Marco Mensink from the Division of Human Nutrition at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the Netherlands. The visit aimed to explore potential collaborations in research and development (R&D) on nutrition, healthy aging, and planetary health diets (PHD). Dr. Mensink was joined by a delegation from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), led by Mr. Robby Carlo A. Tan.
WUR, recognized globally for its leadership in agriculture, life sciences, and environmental research, brings valuable expertise to potential joint initiatives. During the meeting, Dr. Mensink shared insights on Netherlands’ ongoing transition toward plant-based diets and highlighted the importance of balanced nutrition and evidence-based approaches in promoting health and environmental sustainability.
The delegation was welcomed by Dir. Noel A. Catibog, Director of the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, who described the visit as a strategic opportunity to integrate nutrition with agriculture, drive food systems transformation, and strengthen societal well-being.
Strengthening scholarship and capacity building
Dir. Catibog also highlighted the Council’s robust scholarship initiatives, including the Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (GREAT) and its international component, iGREAT, which supports Filipino scholars trained abroad through re-entry research grants. He expressed optimism that scholars could be deployed to WUR as early as next year, noting that discussions to formalize a partnership between DOST and WUR are now underway.
Ms. Katrina Kae Principe, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division of DOST-PCAARRD provided updates on the ongoing review of the PhilDOST-WUR Graduate Scholarship Program. Priority fields include agricultural systems and engineering, natural resources management, climate change, development studies, and gender and development, among others. She also outlined potential areas for collaboration such as climate-resilient food systems and interdisciplinary research linking nutrition, environment, and socio-economic dimensions.
Recognizing strong alignment with ongoing initiatives of both DOST-FNRI and DOST-PCAARRD, Dr. Mensink recommended adding nutrition and health to the list of priority fields under the scholarship framework.
Innovations for planetary health diets
Discussions also highlighted the increasing relevance of the PHD as a framework for sustainable and health-promoting food systems.
Ms. Meliza F. Abeleda, Assistant Director of the Socio-Economics Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD recalled the 2021 initiative with DOST-FNRI aimed at developing a consumer decision-support database grounded on the PHD concept. Due to pandemic constraints, the initiative evolved into FLExPHD: Food is Life Exemplified: Mobile App Development Competition for Planetary Health Diet, a mobile app development competition implemented with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). She shared that winning teams continue to refine their applications in preparation of future launch.
Mr. Tan shared ongoing work by Dr. Pol Grootswagers of WUR, who is developing a mobile app that profiles amino acids from plant-based sources, an effort identified as a promising area for collaboration.
Meanwhile, Ms. Allisa Carol M. Ibarra, Science Research Specialist II of the Crops Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD highlighted the Council’s broad R&D agenda for legumes, vegetables, and fruits which cover nutrient profiling and cultural management, and research on pest and fertilizer management. She also cited ongoing efforts to map and document indigenous vegetables across Philippine regions, supporting biodiversity conservation and diversification of the national food basket.
From left to right: Ms. Katrina Kae S. Principe, Supervising Science Research Specialist, Policy Coordination and Monitoring Division, Ms. Alissa Carol M. Ibarra, Science Research Specialist II, Crops Research Division, Ms. Meliza F. Abeleda, Assistant Director and Senior Science Research Specialist, Socio-Economics Research Division, Dir. Noel A. Catibog, Director, Technology Transfer and Promotion Division, Dr. Marco Mensink, Assistant Professor, Human and Nutrition Division, Wageningen University & Research, Mr. Robby Carlo A. Tan, Senior Science Research Specialist, DOST-FNRI, Mr. Dirk Ayuste, Project Technical Assistant, DOST-FNRI, Mr. Allaine Dalisay, Science Research Specialist I, DOST-FNRI.
Advancing integrated approaches to nutrition and agriculture
Dir. Catibog emphasized the urgency of incorporating nutrition and health perspectives into agricultural productivity initiatives, reinforcing the need for holistic, cross-sectoral approaches. Mr. Tan expressed full agreement, noting that interdisciplinary collaboration will be critical as the Philippines confronts challenges related to nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and an aging population.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to sustain dialogue, identify collaborative research opportunities, and explore pilot initiatives that integrate nutrition, health, and sustainable food systems—laying the groundwork for a future partnership among DOST-PCAARRD, DOST-FNRI, and WUR.