PCAARRD, a consolidation of two former councils of the Department of Science and Technology, keeps aflame the seal of excellence in public agricultural research and development (R&D).
Fresh from its fusion on June 22, 2011, PCAARRD, drawing from the mandates and accomplishments of its predecessors, continually assumes the tasks of planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring the national agricultural research program, among other tasks.
Foremost of the Council’s accomplishments was its ability to create a dynamic research system in the country which did away with the perennial R&D gaps such as fragmentation, duplication, lack of central planning, lack of trained manpower, and inefficient dissemination of research results.
Being certified just recently for its quality management system under ISO 9001:2008, PCAARRD remains true to its vision of being the leader for S&T innovations. As such, it undertakes to provide S&T-based solutions; innovations and tools to address pressing concerns faced by the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors in order to be able to raise productivity to world-class standards.
Towards this goal, PCAARRD maintains contact and ensures that it is accessible with its customers through various information, communication, and technology (ICT) platforms. It also sustains its partnerships and linkages with advanced agricultural institutions and other international bodies, among other strategic options.
Through its Corporate Plan for 2011―2016, the Council addresses five major concerns: food production and nutritional security, viable rural livelihood, economic sustainability and global competitiveness, and a resilient environment.
These major concerns, which the Council considers as its development themes, are implemented by the National Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Network (NAARRDN) via the Council’s Commodity Industry Strategic Programs (ISPs).
Under the ISPs, the Council supports 34 priority industries such as rice, coconut, goat, dairy buffalo, swine, legumes, banana, mango, bamboo, seaweeds, milkfish, tilapia, and sardines.
The Council commits itself in effecting farm productivity and agricultural profitability through its support for these industries, not only in the farm, but also in the market. Towards this goal, the Council pushes the generation of the required technologies and the commercialization of Regional S&T-based products.
In support of the National R&D Agenda for 2013―2014, the ISPs contribute to poverty alleviation and inclusive growth through food security, countryside development, developing competitive industries, biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, and climate change mitigation/adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Given the sphere of these R&D commitments, the Council capitalizes on its partnership with various agri-industry players such as R&D institutions, regional R&D consortia, private sector, local government units, non-government organizations, and other extension service providers.
Once distinct and independent, these partner-institutions through PCAARRD’s initiative were fused into a cohesive pioneering machinery of innovation and contributor to economic development.
Most recent of PCAARRD’s accomplishments, in collaboration with its partners, include the enhancement of organic crop production; respiratory disease detection and prevention in swine; improving hatchery operations and management of inland aquatic resources; developing improved seedstock of marine resources; and addressing inland and ocean environmental concerns.
Technologies such as these are disseminated forthwith using the appropriate diffusion strategies such as the Pinoy S&T Services for Farmers and Entrepreneurs, Science and Technology Community-based Farms, and the Farmer Livestock School on Goat Enterprise Management, among other modalities.
PCAARRD, through its Human Resource Development Program, has also honed the human resource capabilities of the NAARRDN for them to be able to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate R&D programs and projects.
In keeping with the high regard and appreciation that it has always owed its partners, PCAARRD will recognize the men and women, as well as the institutions that have truly contributed in uplifting the state of agricultural R&D in this country through its R&D exhibits and awarding ceremonies.
Prestigious awards will be conferred on deserving individuals and institutions who have helped in shaping up the country’s agricultural landscape on November 8 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. These awards include the best R&D paper; Pantas for outstanding scientists/researchers and research administrators; Tanglaw for outstanding research institutions; Ugnay for the best R&D Consortium; and the Professional Media Award for outstanding contributions of the regional media practitioners in technology diffusion.
With the theme “PCAARRD: Kaagapay sa Pag-unlad ng Industrya ng Sakahan at Pangisdaan”, the occasion will showcase PCAARRD’s efforts and that of its partners not only in generating productive and worthwhile technologies but also in pushing the commercialization of regional S&T-based products.