Three of the 14 research and development (R&D) consortia of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) will vie for top honors in the National Symposium for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) which will be held on November 10 at the Council’s Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna.
Themed “Farm and Industry Encounters through Science and Technology Agenda” or FIESTA, the annual search provides a venue for disseminating the most outstanding regional R&D outputs.
Entries of the Visayas Consortium for Agriculture and Resources Program (ViCARP), Cagayan Valley Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVARRD), and Ilocos Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (ILARRDEC) in the research and development categories of the NSARRD were selected as this year’s top finalists.
As with previous years’ symposium, only the top two contenders in both categories will be presented and evaluated for their final placements.
In the research category, battling for the first and second prizes are “Development of immuno-based assay for detection of abaca viruses” by Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, Dr. Ruben M. Gapasin, and Dr. Zenaida T. Ecleo of the Visayas State University/VICARP; and “MMSU hydrous bio-ethanol I: Production, characterization, and testing” by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Roque A. Ulep, Engr. Nathaniel Mateo, Engr. Romaric Ascaño, Mrs. Maria Concepcion B. Birginias, Dr. Marilou O. Lucas, Mrs. Magdalena A. Valencia, Dr. Heraldo L. Layaoen, Mr. Mario I. Remulacio, and Dr. Fiorello B. Abenes of the Mariano Marcos State University-ILARRDEC.
On the other hand, “Enhancement of artificial insemination and meat processing technologies towards production of quality slaughter goats in Cagayan Valley” by Dr. Jonathan N. Nayga, Ms. Aubrey Joy M. Balbin, Ms. Olive M. Gaffud, Dr. Emelita B. Valdez, Milagros R. Andres, Buela B. Estrada, Pinky Melanie V. dela Cruz, D.B. Gulmiran, R.T. Tamayo, and E.A. Lopez of CVARRD; and “Upscaling rural enterprise development through innovative goat production systems in Region 1” by Dr. Jovita M. Datuin, Ms. Josefina P. Bueno, Ms. Cathy B. Pastor, Mr. Lemuel M. Abrenica, Dr. Florentino A. Adame/Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 1 (DA-RFU)-ILARRDEC and Dr. Wilson A. Cerbito/DA-RFU 8 are pitted in the development category.
Incidentally, the third placers in both categories have been predetermined by an external screening committee.
Ranking third in the research category is “Development and evaluation of pelletized total mixed ration for goats” by Dr. Edgar A. Orden/Dr. Armando N. Espino, Dr. Zosimo M. Battad, Dr. Renato A. Reyes, Dr. Ma. Excelsis M. Orden, Dr. Alexander S. Gibe, Prof. Nuela O. Frias, and Mr. Neal A. Del Rosario of the Central Luzon Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (CLARRDEC).
For the development category, placing third is “Capitalizing on CLARRDEC-CVARRD alliance towards entrepreneurship and increasing employability of agriculture, forestry and natural resources students and graduates in state universities and colleges in Regions II and III” by a team of CLARRDEC and CVARRD researchers.
Winners of the NSARRD will receive cash prizes and plaques of recognition. Leading the awarding ceremonies are PCAARRD Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo, and National Coffee Development Board Director Pacita U. Juan.