NAGA CITY – Agricultural research and innovation is vital to economic growth. The DA 5 research division, thus holds the 1st Regional Technology Investment Forum and 30th In-house review on October 25-26, 2018 at the Avenue Plaza Hotel this city.
DA Bicol RTD Rodel P. Tornilla, in his speech, said that with the limited and finite natural resources and the threat of climate change, the challenge to our researchers is to help farmers produce more under difficult conditions.
Tornilla, who started in government as a research assistant said that before, funds for agricultural research are very scarce, but nowadays public investment for agricultural research has soared up to millions of pesos as the government has come to recognize the need to invest in research to produce more with less and in a more sustainable manner. He thus challenged the researchers to develop a technology that would ensure food in the table, surplus production and ultimately viable enterprise.
This year, According to Luz R. Marcelino, Chief of the Research Division, the scientific conference aimed to assess the probable impact of research results on agricultural productivity and sustainability of agri-ventures.
14 completed researches were presented under four categories and the best studies and posters were given cash awards. The first placer for paper presentation under the Technology Generation was the study entitled “In-Vitro Propagation of Pineapple at DA Region 5 presented by Behilda Balisoro. Her co-authors were Luz Marcelino, Corazon A. Orbon, Mary Jane Serrano, Jovanni Salaver, RED Elena B. de los Santos and RTD Edgar R. Madrid. The second place was garnered by the study “Enhancing the Saleability of Local Garlic Variety through Maillard Reaction Processing presented by Rosella Formento. Her co-authors are Dolores Ricafranca, L. Marcelino, Agnes Espinola, Benjamin Shun Mo Yoo and Kimberly Aguilar.
Meanwhile, the first placer under the Technology Adaptation category was entitled “Improved Rice Genotypes for Enhancing Productivity in Different Ecosystems in Bicol” presented by Tara Christina Machica. The co-authors were C. Orbon, Ma. Lakambini Aldecoa, Limberly Bermillo, Maridel Bibay and Marion Noceda. In the second place was the study “Yield Response of Queen Pineapple to Plant Spacing and Fertilizer Management presented by Maria Christina Campita. Her co-authors were Eula Dimasupil, Flor Angeline Campita, and Jyne Evangelista. The third place was garnered by the research “Validating the Effects of Continuous Use of Yellow Hybrid Corn at Calabanga, Cam. Sur presented by Ailyn R. Adante with co-authors L. Marcelino and Gladys Camaing.
Under the Technology Verification, the first prize was bagged by the study “Community-based Action Research for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) in Region 5 presented by Sandy Bobier with co-authors L. Marcelino, Lorenzo Alvina, and RTD Edgar R. Madrid. The second prize went to “Validation of Site-Specific Nutrient Management options through Technology Demonstration by Ailyn Adante, Luz Marcelino and Gladys Camaing.
Under the Technology Commercialization category, the sole Best Paper was the study “Technology Commercialization of Mungbean Production in Bicol Region by L. Marcelino, Engr. Henrilyn Yamson, Danilo Bordon, Nellie Pasion, and RTD Edgar R. Madrid.
The winners in the paper presentation received P10,000 –first prize; P7,500-second prize; and P5,000 – third prize.
For the poster competition, the first place went to the study on mungbean, the second place went to CRA in Region 5 and the third place went to “Substitution of Spent Mushroom Substrate for Vermi Production by L. Marcelino, Angelina Penaserada, Ma. Shiela Nierva, Joseph Nacario, Arnufo De Asis and Nonito Dieta. Winners received cash prizes of P5,000, 4,000 and P3,000 respectively.
The different Research Outreach Stations also presented the status of the research undertakings in their different stations.
The panel of evaluators came from renowned universities, SUCs, DA and private sector.
Dr. Edgar R. Madrid, RTD for Research and Regulations together with Luz R. Marcelino and Corazon A. Orbon, CBES Superintendent, bestowed the awards to the winners. (Lovella P. Guarin)