Leading innovations in R&D for 2011-2016

Achievements, tributes close WESVARRDEC's 2011

2011-12-19T00:40:00.000-08:00

By Niño Manaog, Capiz State University

and Sally Villasis, Aklan State University

In the Regional Techno Gabay Program (RTGP)-RegionalApplied Communications Group (RACG) 4th Quarter Meetings and Annual Report Writeshopheld on December 7–8, 2011 at the Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga,Aklan, members of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Researchand Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) capped 2011 by way of heartfelttributes and presentations of achievements in the various endeavors of itsmembers.

WESVARRDEC"rebounds" up the PCAARRD list

Before some 120 consortium members composed of partnermember agencies (PMA) representatives, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) and personnelof the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers, WESVARRDECDirector Joseph Edward Idemne took pride in announcing the overall rank of theconsortium for the Ugnay 2012, a biannual selection of the best consortiaacross the country by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Forestryand Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD).

For the period in review, WESVARRDEC posted 90.85%,ranking sixth among all the consortia nationwide. According to Idemne, since2007, WESVARRDEC has performed consistently well in the R&D managementand utilization, which is attributed to the cooperation and activeparticipation fostered between and among the consortium memberagencies. Idemne credited the accomplishment to the full support of thepartner member agencies to the activities of the Techno Gabay members,particularly the MSs and the FITS Centers from across the region.

Highlights of the gathering were the tribute to the twooutgoing coordinators of WESVARRDEC, namely: ASU’s Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, RTGPCoordinator and Capiz State University’s Dr. Cora F. Navarra, RACG Coordinator.

In the December 7 Fellowship Night at the ASU ReviewCenter led by RTGP Staff Nicolas Banquero and Administrative Officer SuzettePeñaredondo, Dr. Relingo and Dr. Navarra were hosted to a night of speeches,songs and revelry.

“AMother to Us”

An emotional letter from RACG Representative Vishia MaeTolcidas of FITS OPA Negros Occidental who is now based in the United Stateswas read by fellow representative Helen Bignayan of the Bureau of PlantIndustry - National Mango Research and Development Center (BPI-NMRDC). ForTolcidas, she virtually has not left WESVARRDEC; her learnings fromworking with Navarra and the RACG will remain with her. Her skills gained andher performance only made her a better person, a sentiment likewise shared byJudy Bulquiren, manager of FITS OPA Guimaras.

Meanwhile, former RACG Staff Nino Manaog, who worked withNavarra for two years, also shared how Dr. Navarra drew out his potentials andthose of other RACG members and inspired in them the passion to serve theconsortium.

In a speech, MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of FITS OPA Guimarasshared on her commercial success in the mango processing industry and creditsit to the collective efforts of the consortium. Tubongbanua cited Navarra’s“motherly” efforts to help her promote the mango processed technology andproducts in various means and instances. According to Tubongbanua, thepublished materials, press releases and the various exposures that WESVARRDEChas facilitated for her have all contributed to “what she is now,” a successfulmango processor reaping awards here and there and enjoying a profitablebusiness that also provides livelihood to women in the countryside.

In response, Navarra expressed gratefulness to theopportunity offered by the RACG for her personal and professional growth. Shealso singled out that consortium work is indeed a personal commitment insofaras it is not about finding the faults in other people’s work” but ratherdrawing out the strengths of the members that can best serve the consortium andthe the rest of the community. Likewise, Navarra stressed on placing importanceon the service to the target clientele which she considers the essence ofconsortium work.

Growthand Learning in WESVARRDEC

After RTGP Staff Nick Banquero shared on the years ofactivities and learnings with the RTGP, Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, TG Team Leader ofthe Central Philippine University and Rhodora Lapastora of the West VisayasState University also paid tribute to Dr. Anna Mae Relingo.

According to Dusaran, the Techno Gabay achievement hasbeen notable because of the active participation and leadership of Dr. Relingo.Lapastora likewise cited how the partner member agencies are made aware oftheir responsibilities for the Techno Gabay interventions to the FITSCenters. For her part, Dr. Clyde Abayon, TG team leader of ASU, shared tothe audience "Christ's Bell," a poem given to her by Dr. Relingo, fewyears back.

Meanwhile, MS Norberto Ceballos of Maasin FITS Centeralso expressed his gratitude to the WESVARRDEC’s interventions through which hewas granted two Science and Technology Based-Farms (STBF) projects by PCAARRD. ForCeballos, these projects have benefited not only himself but also a big numberof constituents in the said locality.

For her part, Relingo imparted on her growth andachievement for four years in her capacity as the RTG coordinator. During the time,Relingo said her learnings are invaluable as she was taught a number of lessonsand was inspired by most members of the consortium who continue to do theirwork for the service of the community.

After the speeches and special numbers, the WESVARRDECstaff also rendered a heartwarming song number for the two honorees. Thefellowship night also featured group games, videoke singing contests andprizes.

Showcase of Products

Prizes given to winners consisted of products donated bya number of FITS Centers from across Western Visayas. These items includedthe mango processed products of MS Rebecca Tubongbanua from Guimarasand ginger ale powder from Libertad in Antique. Other prizes givenincluded vermicast and vegetables from Numancia; bariw products fromNabas; coconut food products from Ibajay; puto tostado and vegetables fromAltavas, all of Aklan; and balut from Lemery in Iloilo; pineapple winefrom Passi City; and bamboo charcoal and bamboo products from Maasin, all fromIloilo.

Activities become accomplishments

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

CapSU Techno Gabay team hosts yearend meeting

By Niño Manaog
University Extension Associate
Capiz State University

To monitor and update its member Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers on its accomplishments, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay (TG) Team led by Mr. Eduardo Navarra, university extension specialist, hosted the Fourth Quarter Meeting on November 29, 2011 at the Asis Food Court in Banica, Roxas City.

Among other agenda, the meeting featured the success story of Dumalag FITS Center which was named Best FITS Center by WESVARRDEC during its first Regional Techno Gabay Summit and Technomart in May this year in Iloilo City.

Managers and representatives of FITS centers also reported and updated CapSU, the partner member agency, on their activities and accomplishments. In the past year, the six FITS Centers represented engaged in a big number of activities to benefit their target clientele.

President Roxas, Capiz farmers learn how to make use
of the A-frame to locate their contour lines.
CapSU and President Roxas FITS Center personnel
led the group of farmers on SALT and also provided techniques
that determine its importance to prevent soil erosion
in the upland farms.

Before the end of the year, the President Roxas FITS Center led by Mr. Leonardo Barcenas will lead the distribution of fish fingerlings and corn seeds to farmers, among other so many activities. Recently it led the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) training to upland farmers. In the same period, the Panay FITS Center led by Mr. Juanito Hecita, Jr. will undertake livestock distribution to farmers and participate in the Product Exhibit for the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival 2011.

Mr. Audie Belargo, manager of OPA Capiz FITS Center said that his office has compiled agriculture-related articles from national newspapers and publications which will soon be ready for access next year. Belargo reported that the OPA Capiz FITS Center has also helped high school students in the province in the plant identification for their Science Researches. Belargo likewise said that a library system in the FITS Center itself is in the works, which will feature an agri-fisheries database or directory, among others.

Ms. Remedios Llamelo, manager of Jamindan FITS Center, reported that Jamindan has also been busy the whole year with its regular activities for the farmers. Among others, Jamindan FITS Center conducted Palaycheck capability building trainings to barangays Pangabuan, Pasal-o, Lucero and Aglibacao. It also led Location-Specific Technology Development (LSTD) on lowland rice varieties.

Through the FITS Center facilities, they were also able to facilitate the assistance of farmers in the purchase of their abaca courms in coordination with FIDA. Llamelo’s office also helped distribute some 60,000 seeds of crops and vegetables for farmers representing 30 barangays.

According to Mr. Bernie Protacio, information services specialist of the Dumalag FITS Center, they have graduated some 50 farmers from the Farmers Field School (FFS) in partnership with the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI). Also, activities to sustain the engineered bamboo initiatives for Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Randy Fancubila and his cooperative are also periodically held in linkage with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Capiz.

Mr. Ramon Penalosa, Jr., farmer scientist
of WESVARRDEC, shares his key
technologies to the farmers of Dao, Capiz.
The efforts to bring his expertise
to this part of the province was led by
Dao FITS Manager Susan Dordas (behind Penalosa),
a staunch advocate of organic farming.

Susan Dordas, manager of Dao FITS Center, made a comprehensive report on the town’s Organic Agriculture Program widely bannered and supported by the local government of Dao, Capiz. Dordas reported that within the year, the municipality successfully passed an ordinance advocating organic agriculture for the locality.

The program has also set in place government priorities leading to the promotion and enhancement of organic farming practices, starting with the use of indigenous microorganisms (IMOs) being produced by its technology services specialist and a number of farmers. Dao has also requested and was recently granted by the Department of Agriculture equipment and infrastructure needed to sustain the said program.In the September Farmers Congress, Dao featured the technologies of MS Ramon Penalosa, Jr. of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

In the same meeting, CapSU Chief Accountant Oliva Bataan led the member FITS Centers in learning the nitty-gritty of making budget and financial reports. According to Bataan, budgeting is crucial especially when officials are spending the government funds.

Bataan taught the participants on how to best maximize and realize the budget given to them by Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) or any other funding institutions.

CapSU Techno Gabay Team Leader Eduardo Navarra
(seated, center, in white shirt) regularly coordinates
with the personnel of Dumalag FITS Center
led by Manager Ronelyn De Tomas (seated, far left)
in its activities and projects. The partnership has
afforded a number of major achievements,
including Dumalag's Best FITS Center award
conferred by WESVARRDEC in May 2011.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cora Navarra, outgoing Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) coordinator for the WESVARRDEC, briefed the participants on how the FITS Centers can maximize the opportunity with the consortium. Navarra encouraged them to promote and publicize their activities as they can help promote technologies in multifarious ways—using various media available nowadays including the print media and the internet.

According to Navarra, advocating the technologies in their respective localities this way helps promote and advance not only the indigenous technologies of the municipalities but also the thrusts and purposes of WESVARRDEC and PCAARRD.

Making Strips, Weaving Lives

2011-11-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Hard Work and Success according to MS Nonito Ignacio, Bariw Producer

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Bariw has made life a challenge for Nonito Ignacio, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Nabas FITS Center in Aklan.

In 1992, this native of barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan was only 20 years old when he started producing bariw. Then, Aklan was producing and processing bariw into novelty products and items for tourists and even for export.

At the time, MS Ignacio was amazed because Aklan was gaining worldwide attention for its craftsmanship in bariw. This encouraged him to plant and produce bariw fiber in his own capacity. From that time on, bariw has always been a lucrative means of livelihood for MS Ignacio.

Now a supplier of fiber for the bariw processors for almost 20 years, MS Ignacio has always made sure that his marketing strategies are in place. His bariw fiber stocks are available at their home to meet the demands of the processors in his area.

Enthusiastic and personable, MS Ignacio was chosen MS by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) for the Nabas FITS Center in Nabas, Aklan through the coordination of Aklan State University (ASU), its partner member agency.

Planting and Growing Bariw

MS Ignacio starts bariw production with clearing the area needed for planting the palms. From the forest, he collects bariw seedlings with 5 to 10 leaves each. For each hill, he digs a hole 6 inches deep and allows 3-meter distance between the hills. Next, he clears and fences the surrounding area of each hill to protect them from stray animals. He then proceeds with mulching using cut grasses.

Harvesting Bariw

MS Ignacio harvests leaves from bariw plants aged 2 ½ to 3 years. In harvesting bariw leaves, known as pagsasa(Aklanon or Akeanon term), he begins by cleaning the bariw palms. He cuts from the bariw trunks only the long and mature leaves. To cut the leaves far from reach, MS Ignacio either climbs the palms or uses a scythe fixed at the end of a bamboo or wooden pole to reach them. Then he gathers the cut leaves, and collects 32 pieces to form one bundle. A sleeping mat, for one, can be made from 7 bundles with 32 bariw leaves each.

Stripping

MS Ignacio then proceeds to pagriras, or the removal of thorns and midribs. He removes both the thorns at the edge of leaves and separates the midrib or the hard portion of the leaf. One bundle cut into halves will therefore produce 64 pieces. By this time, the bariw leaves are now ready for hanging and drying.

Drying

MS Ignacio is now ready for paglamayo ag pagbuead, or drying the leaves, which involves two steps. First, he dries the leaves for three days by hanging them outdoor making sure they are not directly exposed to sunlight. This allows for the gradual removal of moisture from the leaves. Second, he dries the leaves to dry under the sun for a day or two, after thorns are removed from them. If thorns are not removed, bariw leaves will be crumpled which makes the production (smoothening and softening included) of a pale fiber material difficult.

Smoothening and Softening

After which, MS Ignacio proceeds to pagbaebae, or softening the leaves. Dried bariw leaves are normally rigid and would thus need to be smooth and soft so they can be woven. To produce smooth texture, he starts pressing(pagpaepag), using a club (bowling pin-shaped wood) or a solid flat stone or wood. He lays the dried leaves on the stone or wood and pounds them by a wooden club. When they are softened, he presses using his bare fingers and palms (known as paghilad) one leaf at a time to flatten them, doing this repeatedly until he attains the desired softness.

MS Ignacio says that it is best for “two persons to soften the leaves, it produces a peculiar rhythm, just like the beat of the drum.” The working partners usually proceed with paghilad four times, after which the bariw fiber is then stored for 3 months. Only by then will the fiber is ready for processing.

In an ordinary day, MS Ignacio makes a maximum of 200 bundles of bariw at P4 per roll, which earns him P800. His thrice a week production (12 times for four weeks) gives him P9,600. For the transport of bariw from the farm to his house where it is sold (approx. 2 km), he incurs P400 monthly (8 liters of gas at P50 per liter), which gives him a net income of P9,200.

MS Ignacio hopes to become a leading bariw producer in Aklan. “I hope Aklan becomes a major producer of quality bariw products. We have a great province. We should be proud of it,” he says.

The nitty-gritty of bariw production, however, is not the only trade for MS Ignacio. When he is not into bariw production, the hardworking farmer attends to his two hectares of land planted to rice and vegetables and where he also raises pigs and chickens. He also sidelines through the operation of a sari-sari store and coco lumber hauling in their barangay.

With all these skills, capacities and activities, MS Ignacio proves to be a hardworking farmer, who has been pounding his way to reach his goals for his wife and children. Today, working well and hard on a 3-hectare bariw farm, he enjoys the success that others can only dream of.

Though he has undergone many hardships and difficulties, MS Ignacio expresses optimism, saying “If we don’t look at things in a positive way, it will be extremely difficult for us to survive in any business, and in life.”

Sino Ang Tunay na Bariw

2011-11-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Success Story of MS Marbelyn Narso, Bariw Processor

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Photos by Sally Villasis and Niño Manaog

Marbelyn Narzo must have been destined to be a bariw processor.

At the age of 12, this native of Buenavista, Nabas, Aklan was introduced to weaving bariw (or pandan palm and buri palm) into sellable products and has since been in the business for the last 33 years. Even though those early days were hard, Narzo now looks back to the experience with pride and gratitude.

Currently the Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Nabas FITS Center, Narzo considers bariw processing a decent job. Having been exposed to the industry of bariw processing at a young age, MS Narzo has mastered the processing of bariw products. From bariw, Narzo makes hats, mats, placemats, wall décor, flower vases and tissue folders, among other novelty products.

Nabas FITS Center is monitored by Aklan State University, (ASU), its partner member agency (PMA) under the auspices of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

In various instances, she also acted as trainer for other bariw processors in her town of Nabas and the neighboring town of Ibajay in Aklan. In recent years, she also reached Bohol as resource speaker where she shared her expertise to other processors.

For her raw materials, MS Narzo uses green bariw leaves. She removes the thorns and midrib of the leaves, a process locally known as pagriras. Then she hangs the leaves to air dry for about two to three days and exposes them to sunlight for one to two days. Locally, these steps are called paglamayo ag pagbuead.

After which, Narzo has the dry leaves softened thru pagpaepag (pressing). She then rolls and strips them using a stripper. The size of koehad (strip), Akeanon for sliced strips, depends on its use. Only then are the bariw leaves ready for weaving. One bundle usually consists of 32 pieces of green bariw leaves.

Hats. MS Narzo finishes two hats in a day, spending 8 working hours. A hat which costs P25 is made in 4 hours giving her an income of P50 daily. The bariw weaver says she earns P25 per bundle of bariw leaves less P5 for materials and P20 for labor. With average of two hats made per day, she can produce 40 hats for one month.

Bags. MS Narzo can weave one bag measuring 4” x 15” x 12” out of two bundles of bariw, and sells them at P150 each. When expenses are deducted, P10 for materials and P20 for labor, she earns P120 for one bag. She can make one bag per day or 24 bags per month, which earns for her some P3,360 per month. In making bags, MS Narzo is assisted by the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) in the designs.

Coin Purses. MS Narzo makes four coin purses out of one bundle of bariw leaves. She sells them at P20 market price, or P80 for four pieces per day. After deducting P5 for raw materials and P20 labor, Narzo earns P55. MS Narzo says she can turn out 4 coin purses in one day or a total of 96 pieces per month.

Placemats. From a bundle of bariw leaves, MS Narzo produces four placemats which she sells at P25 each. After deducting P5 for raw materials and P20 labor, she earns P75 daily from these products. Working for 20 production days, she produces 80 placemats a month.

Now, things are looking up, working in favor of this diligent weaver. Currently market is good for processed bariw leaves in Boracay and Kalibo and even overseas. For Boracay alone, MS Narzo delivers a total of 60 bags, 30 hats and 24 coin purses on a weekly or twice a week basis. These and other opportunities make MS Narzo smile. She says her success can be credited to her experience.

Having been in the bariw industry for more than three decades, she has seen the highs and lows of their local economy. But MS Narzo expresses optimism. For her, every Filipino has the skill he or she can use to achieve. “It all depends on how badly you want to excel,” she says.

MS Narzo enjoys spreading the word on bariw processing because she believes it’s real livelihood through which household women at home can earn a living and take care of the family at the same time.

Escalante City farmers urged to raise cantaloupe melons for profit

2011-10-25T18:47:00.000-07:00

By Isaac Abello

Staff

“Pagpalambo sa yuta; pagkaon sa katawhan; mao’y una sa tanan (Improve the soil and provide food for the people, above all else).”

This was the theme of the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) Field Day led by the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Escalante City on Oct. 4, 2011 in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

Gathering some 80 participants composed of farmers groups, line agencies and other sectors, the farmers’ day showcased the results of the technologies involved in offseason cantaloupe melon farming.

Dr. Denesa Lamique, Techno Gabay Team leader from the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), the FITS’ partner member agency, briefed the guests on the STBF project, which is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) and channeled through the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

The event was backed by FITS Manager Ferdinand Alico and his staff and the local government of Escalante City.

As per the STBF project, some 15 Escalante City farmers were trained on off-season cantaloupe melon farming from June to September 2011. No less than Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Jose Vicente Alemany of Escalante City FITS Center provided the technical inputs for the farmers.

During the program, MS Alemany shared his best practices through what he calls the 3 Ps, namely—Practice, Productivity and Profit. For Alemany, good farming practices result in good productivity which rakes in high profit. Alemany also shared the advantages of off-season farming.

According to the farmer scientist, because the supply of cantaloupe during rainy season is low, farmers can demand a higher price. This way, cantaloupe farming can also serve an alternative faming product for the farmers of Escalante. Alemany urged the farmers that they closely monitor prices in the market so they could anticipate the competition involved in marketing their produce.

Leon FITS Center hosts WVSU TG cross-visitors

2011-10-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

West Visayas State University

The Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Leon, Iloilo recently hosted some 25 representatives of the Techno Gabay (TG) Team from the West Visayas State University (WVSU) at the Leon FITS Center Hall in Poblacion, Leon, Iloilo. The visiting team consisted of managers and staff of WVSU’s member FITS Centers, their Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) and representatives from the WVSU, their partner member agency.

“We may be a new FITS Center but we are working hard to build our image,” Municipal Agriculturist Magdalena Capilastique said in her speech.

For his part, Leon Mayor Rolito Cajilig said that the changing climate and the environmental crises pose threats to the farmers, the town’s major sector. According to Cajilig, Leon is an agricultural highland. Only ten percent of its 14,000 hectares is flat. Farming is Leon’s primary livelihood. Of the 85 barangays, 68 are prone to floods, landslide and calamities. “We have no choice but fight poverty,” Cajilig said. Because the town draws income from farming, Mayor Rolito Cajilig supports efforts related to it.

The local government of Leon has also been promoting Bucari, a forested area 24 kilometers from the poblacion which can serve as an eco- or agri-tourism site. Leon has also been marketing organic vegetables and its “super mangoes.” According Leon FITS Center Manager Feljean Cagape, their produce are called super mangoes because they are much sweeter than any mangoes in Panay.

Leon mangoes are found to have higher fructose content than the Guimaras mangoes. Their sweet taste is attributed to the town’s soil condition and topography. Cagape said that Leon’s soil salinity is much lower than that of Guimaras.

As part of the One Town, One Product (OTOP) program of Leon, mangoes are promoted by local government in their own community. Couples asking to be married by the mayor are asked to bring a mango seedling to the ceremony. All coupled wed by the local government are required to plant the mangoes and cultivate them in their households.

At the end of the welcome program, the cross-visitors were hosted to a vegetable greenhouse located in the municipality.

A DAY IN THE FARM (see above photo). The WVSU Techno Gabay team visits a vegetable farm in their first Cross-Visit to the Leon FITS Center in Leon, Iloilo. As part of the WESVARRDEC culture, study tours such as this serve not only as avenues for information and knowledge sharing but also monitoring mechanism for the consortium.

WESVARRDEC starts sustainable darag chicken production program

2011-10-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

By Isaac Abello

Staff, Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

With Reports from Niño Manaog and Bede Ozaraga, Capiz State University

Research in the darag native chicken is now official.

Recently, the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), under the auspices of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) launched the Development of Sustainable Production System for the Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in Western Visayas, a pioneering project that involves the Research and Development arms of four state colleges and universities in the region—West Visayas State University (WVSU), Central Philippine University (CPU), Aklan State University (ASU), and Capiz State University (CapSU).

In an inception meeting held at the Residence Hotel in Iloilo City in August 2011, Dr. Synan Baguio, supervising science research specialist and Dr. Edwin Villar, livestock research division director, both of PCARRD presented to the SUC representatives the terms and conditions of the funded project and the responsibilities of the collaborating agencies. The PCARRD officials likewise briefed the SUCs on the schedule of monitoring and evaluation and the delivery of outputs from the project.

The program will be a collaborative effort of said four SUCs. WVSU will develop a native chicken breeding and hatchery management system that would ensure stable supply of both breeder and slaughter native chickens of predictable performance and consistent quality in commercial quantities.

CPU will develop and establish a feed production and distribution system for free-range native chickens while ASU will establish a Newcastle Disease vaccine production and distribution systems for the same purpose. For its part, CapSU will produce and distribute a stable supply of ethno-botanical antihelmintics and develop a range area (pasture) enhancement protocol for the darag native chickens.

In the same event, WVSU’s Dr. Evelyn Tomambo, who is also the program leader, presented the new program titled “Development of Sustainable Darag Native Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) Production System as Climate Change Adaptation Option for the Poultry Industry in Western Visayas.”

Among others, the program will organize information and component technologies generated thru previous research and development into a sustainable enterprise-type native chicken production system. It seeks to usher in productive and profitable utilization of locally available feed, medicinal plants and chicken genetic resources.

According to the program, an organized native chicken production system will help establish sustainable native chicken-based enterprises by rural dwellers and ensure stable supply of good quality native chicken products that meet quality and quantity requirements of institutional buyers and domestic consumers.

Promoted by WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward Idemne, the program is supported by ASU President Danilo Abayon, CPU President Teodoro Robles, WVSU President Pablo Subong, Jr., and CapSU President Editha Magallanes as represented by Dr. Geronimo Gregorio, WESVARRDEC’S regional research development group coordinator, and CapSU’s vice-president for research and extension.

Dao FITS Center, LGU celebrate farmers’ bountiful harvest

2011-10-13T23:34:00.000-07:00

By Niño Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

On September 16, 2011, all roads lead to the municipality of Dao, Capiz for its first ever Farmers’ Day Celebration and Agri-Trade Fair.

The celebration of the farmers’ bountiful harvest was led by Dao’s government particularly its Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in partnership with the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Under the proactive leadership of Dao Mayor Joselito Escutin, and through the dynamic efforts of the Dao FITS Center led by Manager Ma. Susan Dordas in coordination with WESVARRDEC, the farmers’ event showcased the best agricultural practices of the municipality.

Anchored on the theme “Likasaka para sa Aning Masagana,” the first farmer day celebration showcased the best agricultural yields of the town of Dao, and featured no less than Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Ramon Peñalosa, Jr. of Negros Occidental for its resource person. Peñalosa graced the occasion by sharing with the Dao farmers and constituents his expertise and experiences in organic rice farming and livestock-raising.

And to showcase the best yield of the province, Dao FITS Center led the selection of best gardens under the Food Always in the Home (FAITH) program across the municipality. Promoting food sustainability in the households, FAITH program encourages barangay households to plant and sustain a wide array of vegetables and crops that will make them self-reliant.

For the community gardens category, barangay Centro placed first, followed by Lacaron and Poblacion Ilawod. For the schools category, Malonoy Elementary School won first place; Quinayuya Elementary, second and Dao Central Elementary, third. For the barangay health station (BHS) category, Matagnop won first; Malonoy, second; and Agtambi, third. For the day care centers category, Lacaron Day Care Center won first; followed by Bita Day Care Center and Matagnop Day Care Center.

Farmer Tomas Estorninos of Matagnop topped the household category, followed by Arnel Faraon of Bita and Rosa Clorion of Ilas Norte. Estorninos maintained 33 types of vegetables crops and medicinal plants. Estornino also raised goats and native chickens in his 400-sq.m.area.

According to Dordas, FAITH gardens have been in existence since the Green Revolution in the 1980s. The town of Dao likewise chose the best harvest crops from the farmers—longest beans, eggplant and white squash and biggest kalabasa and Saba and Cavendish bananas. Winners in these contests were awarded trophies, cash price and garden tools.

According to Deogracias Tianchon, Jr., Dao’s top municipal councilor, the town has recently passed Municipal Ordinance 011-005, series of 2011, or the “Ordinance Providing for the Adoption of the R.A. 10068 otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 in the Municipality of Dao, Capiz.” The first among the towns of the province to adopt R.A. 10068 launched by DA, Dao is optimistic for its production of crops and vegetables by fortifying its organic practices campaign.

Ms. Joyce Wendam, regional technical director of the Department of Agriculture (DA), expressed support for Dao’s initiative citing the challenge and importance of sustainable agriculture in the countryside. For his part, Mayor Escutin said that the bottom line of these and other projects is food sustainability in the community. The festival was also attended by local officials of Dao and the province of Capiz.

MS Gumana teaches Florida beauty propagation

2011-09-27T01:55:00.000-07:00

By Nicolas Banquero

A thing of beauty is a joy forever—but it also makes money.

This is true, especially for Engr. Baltazar Jayme Gumana, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Pavia, Iloilo who recently hosted one-day training on single-node propagation of Florida beauty (Dracaena surculosa), a type of cut flower highly demanded as indoor ornamental in hotels, restaurants, banks and offices.

For one day, MS Gumana shared his expertise in propagating Florida beauty to some 30 participants composed of florists, gardeners and similar enthusiasts from the towns of Pavia, Janiuay, Oton, Tubungan, Bingawan and Lambunao, all of Iloilo. The training was held in thePavia FITS Center in Poblacion, Pavia, Iloilo.

Under the auspices of the Science and Technology-based Farm (STBF) on Single Node Propagation of Florida Beauty in Pavia, Iloilo granted by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) to MS Gumana, the initiative was well supported by the STBF team composed of Dr. Greta Gabinete, focal person; Dr. Crisanto Lopez, technical expert; Mr. Homer Hubag, FITS manager; and Engr. Baltazar Gumana, Magsasaka Siyentista.

MS Gumana’s skills transfer was a collaborative effort of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), the West Visayas StateUniversity, and the local government of Pavia, Iloilo.

A favorite garden foliage plant such as Florida Beauty can be grown as a low-maintenance ornamental and usually propagated in three to four nodes. But for MS Gumana, the same can be grown using a single node.

To propagate Florida beauty using single node, MS Gumana makes use of a seedling tray, coconut dust, garden soil, chicken manure, cutter and liquid endosperm (or coconut water) as growth hormone. To eliminate its acidity, Gumana soaks coconut dust and drains and changes the water every day for a week. After this, he selects a vigorous and healthy Florida Beauty plant and cuts single nodes as many as possible. He then soaks the nodes in coconut water and places the soaked single nodes in a seedling tray and covers them with the soil medium.

The soil media is a mixture of coconut dust, chicken manure and garden soil. After the plants are set in the seedling tray, Gumana allows them to grow under nursery conditions. After one or two months, he transfers them into bigger containers to allow them to grow more openly.

A 60-cm cutting of Florida beauty costs 120 pesos per dozen while a 30-cm cutting is pegged at and 60 pesos per dozen. For MS Gumana, a leisurely activity such as this can help even a backyard entrepreneur earn and make profit, even as it enjoys high, consistent demand as indoor ornamental in hotels, restaurants, banks and offices. And this can be done only with passion for the plant and the diligence and the guts to share it to others.

Batad FITS Center hosts 2nd corn congress

2011-09-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

To showcase the technology on open-pollinated corn varieties (OPV), the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) Batad Campus in Batad, Iloilo led the Second Municipal Corn Congress and Corn Derby on September 5, 2011 at NIPSC Batad Campus in Batad, Iloilo.

The congress convened some 300 participants composed of farmers, teachers, students, stakeholders of the corn industry, representatives of Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC); representatives of seed technology, pesticides and fertilizer companies; government officials in Batad, Iloilo and environs.

Anchored on the theme “Responsable kag Mapadinayunon nga Pagpanguma, Mauswagon nga Banwa,” the congress aimed to encourage farmers and other stakeholders to adopt the OPV technology and natural farming system to increase their corn production and income. With the corn summit this year, the organizers likewise sough to conduct research trials to produce technologies that can be shared with farmers.

In his opening speech, Mr. Ricardo Ayupan, NIPSC Batad’s college administrator, said that crop productivity and food self-sufficiency today can help stop hunger and alleviate poverty.

NIPSC led the corn summit to initiate the sharing of the R&D experience and disseminate its enormous potential not only for Batad but for also for the Western Visayas. Farmers were also urged to maximize and reduce the cost of production and the integration of bio-organic fertilizer.

For his part, Dr. Joel Limson, president of the NIPSC System, stressed that “our country is being struck by two major concerns—how to increase production, and how to protect the environment, both of which seem difficult to achieve.” According to Limson, there is a need to strike a balance between the increasing population and the dwindling resources and production.

Prof. Eva Montero, FITS manager and associate director for research and development, said that they also hosted the first corn congress in 2010. There they found that farmers need to know more information particularly on the importance of nurturing the environment. Therefore, Batad FITS Center coordinated with the National Research Center for Corn to develop the OPV technology. Montero said they were able to produce the seeds during the last cropping. For this current cropping, they conducted weed control trial and major pest survey on corn OPV at a 1.6 hectare corn techno-demo research farm in NIPSC Batad. The efforts were backed by the local government of Batad, NIPSC Batad, and the Agricultural Training Institute-RTC 6 as partner member agency.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ricardo Saltin, corn program coordinator of the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Regional Field Unit 6, said that besides promoting white corn, especially in sloping areas, DA has provided post-harvest facilities to support the corn farmers.

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, Regional Techno Gabay (RTG) coordinator of WESVARRDEC and officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of Aklan State University (ASU), enjoined the participants of the economic value of corn not only for human consumption or feeds but for other purposes. Relingo said that various corn products have been promoted by the consortium during regional and national techno fairs, and they usually stand out.

The corn congress featured technology forums on the practice of site-specific nutrient management and the effects of different fertility practices on OPV Maize.

Then, to promote value-addition for the corn as commodity, the organizers hosted a Corn Dish Cooking Contest for Bachelor of Science in hotel and Restaurant Management (BSHRM) students of NIPSC. In the said contest, the Prawns in Corn Pandan Curry Sauce by Warren Castañares and Fritz Bornales, second-year students won the top prize; while the Stuffed Squid with Corn Sauce by freshman Jerome Tullo and the Pan Roasted Chicken with Creamy Corn Garlic Gravy by sophomore Shisan Charm Balete and junior Ronald Balete.

Meet MS Job Aranda, the coconut farmer

2011-09-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

West Visayas State University

MS Job Aranda

Venturing into the coconut industry is hard but it gives enormous rewards to the hard worker.

This has been proven true by Mr. Job T. Aranda, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Tubungan, Iloilo.

On August 16, 2011, through the coordination of West Visayas State University with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who gave the grant, MS Aranda hosted the Science and Technology-Based Farm (STBF) on Coconut Field Day in his two-hectare coconut plantation at Sitio Durog, Lanag Sur in Tubungan, Iloilo.

Aranda’s coconut field day gathered the farmers from the barangays of Tubungan, Iloilo and representatives of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Supported by the officials of the Municipality of Tubungan and staff of WVSU University Research and Development Center (URDC), MS Aranda’s Field Day featured a program about the Coconut Science and Technology-Based Farm Project and tour of the coco coir factory.

In his speech, Tubungan Mayor Vicente Gargaritano, Jr. said “People want to see first in order to believe. We are all here so others can replicate and practice the technologies that our MS has been doing.”

The STBF Field Day is designed to promote the benefits of science and technology to the farmers and demonstrate the interventions by the MS in his farm.

Under the STBF grant, MS Aranda introduced a number of interventions to rehabilitate his coconut farm. First, to clear the entire plantation, Aranda sought to get rid of rats in his coconut trees by cutting off the branches where they pass from one tree to another. Second, Aranda employed ring weeding and applied fertilizer. Aranda used salt and urea as fertilizer and asked other farmers to do the same three times a year. Third, he made sure that the rat guard is installed and a perimeter fence is constructed. Fourth, he planted ampalaya, camote, peanuts, and eggplant between the coconut trees to facilitate intercropping. Next, he made sure that irrigation of the intercrop and coconut trees are properly built. And finally, he moved to practice pest control which included getting rid of beetle rhinoceros.

After his retirement from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, MS Aranda ventured into farming in 2003. In 2007, he was chosen MS for coconut of Tubungan FITS Center. He helped establish a cooperative to build and operate a coco fiber factory. Because of his efforts and involvement in the coconut industry, he was awarded by the Iloilo Provincial Government Outstanding Coconut Farmer in 2009.

However, just like the biblical character Job, his namesake, MS Aranda had his share of difficulty. In 2009, Aranda said, “we were deprived of things beyond our control because of the El Niño Phenomenon. I could not apply fertilizer to his crops because the heat was just too much.” Add to the high temperature the increasing number of unproductive trees in his farm.

But he did not easily give in. Consequently, Aranda increased production from 30 nuts to 140 nuts or trees per year. He did not only maximize land use by intercropping with vegetables but also increased raw materials for coco fiber production and provided appropriate technologies to other coconut farmers. He also helped provide livelihood for mothers working in the coco coir factory and thereby helped increase farm income.

At the Iloilo Horti 2010, coco coir products from
FITS Tubungan were featured by WESVARRDEC.

Just like the ideal farmer scientist, MS Aranda takes part in various forums and trainings in coconut production together with other stakeholders in the coconut industry. In these opportunities, his knowledge is also enhanced. Through the years of engaging into coconut production, MS Aranda’s farm has become a venue for farm research and cross visits by other MS, farmers, students, and agricultural technicians.

“Farming is simply my passion,” MS Aranda says.

Aside from the coconut plantation, Aranda also farms five hectares of rice land. And perhaps not content to rest on his laurels, the tireless farmer practitioner even hopes to engage into Darag native chicken industry in the future.

Collaborations rule WESVARRDEC’s 2011 R&D symposium

2011-09-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

By Isaac Abello, Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Staff

With reports from Niño Manaog, University Extension Associate, Capiz State University

This is the year of collaboration and group effort.

In the 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) hosted by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on August 26, 2011 at the Henry Luce III Library of the Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro, Iloilo City, all winning papers consisted of co-authorships from faculty and researchers of some eight partner member agencies (PMAs) across the region.

Winning presenters were (from top)
Dr. Greta Gabinete of WVSU,
Ms. Nenita Sodusta of DA-WESVIARC
and Prof. Arlene de la Cruz of ASU.

Of the 17 research papers presented, the “Development of Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) Recommendations for Irrigated Rice in Region VI” authored by Greta Gabinete, Hector Peñaranda, Benjamin Gutierrez and Roland Buresh won the first prize. The study was a collaborative effort of the West Visayas State University, (WVSU), the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit 6 (DA-RFU 6), the Capiz State University (CapSU); and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

The “Field Testing of ICRISAT Legume Varieties and Technologies in Selected Regions of the Philippines” conducted by Corazon Arroyo and Nenita Sodusta of the Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-WESVIARC) won second place; while Aklan State University (ASU)’s “Inventory and Bio-prospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” by conducted by Lelisa Teodosio, and many others was awarded the third prize.

The research panel of evaluators was composed of Dr. Rolando Labios of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (DA-BAR); Dr. Marcelino Siladan of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD); and Engr. Emelyn Flores of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 6.

Among seven papers presented under development, all three presentations by the West Negros College Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (WNC-RDFI) swept the top awards. The top development study titled “Bio Power-up Fuel Additive” presented its benefits to the environment, economy and livelihoods to the users. The second-placer technology “Low-Density Biomass Charcoal Maker” details procedures required in producing charcoal briquettes while their third-place study titled “SPD Multi-function Food Processing Equipment” presented a three-in-one equipment that works as sterilizer-pasteurizer-drier, which is ideal for food processors.

The tandem of Engr. Paolo Petalver (top)
and Engr. Dioscoro Marañon, Jr.
(bottom right) of WNCRDFI produced
impressive technological developments.

The tandem of Engr. Paolo Petalver and Engr. Dioscoro Marañon, Jr. of WNCRDFI who produced such technological developments impressed the panel of the judges consisting of Mr. Ramon Peñalosa, Jr., Magsasaka Siyentista of WESVARRDEC; Engr. Rowen Gelonga, regional executive director of the DOST Region 6; Dr. Juanito Batalon of PCARRD; and Engr. Gilberto Altura of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Region 6.

For poster category, Aklan State University’s presentation on “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” and the “Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application” won the first and the second prizes. CapSU’s work on the “Performance of Selected Indigenous Upland Rice through Adoption of Suitable Planting Methods under Rainfed Lowlands” was awarded third.

Winning posters (from left) from ASU and CapSU

Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas; Dr. Ma. Cielito Siladan of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI); and Dr. Lilian Diana Parreno of Guimaras State College (GSC) served as poster evaluators.

A number of evaluators were impressed with this year’s R&D outputs. Dr. Juanito Batalon, member of the planning, programming and packaging section of PCARRD’s crop research division, said the development papers, though few, most essentially addressed issues of preserving the environment while seeking to provide livelihoods to people.

Research panel (from left)
Dr. Rolando Labios,
Dr. Marcelino Siladan
and Engr. Flores

Dr. Marcelino Siladan, head of the program planning and packaging section of the Forest and Environment Division (FERD) of PCARRD, said that the winning research papers could very well compete in the national selection.

Among others, MS Ramon Peñalosa, meanwhile, took interest in CapSU’s banana chipper technology presented by Julito Albaladejo. For Peñalosa, such technologies can surely benefit small farmers and backyard technologies.

Most important, Engr. Rowen Gelonga, regional executive director of DOST 6, suggested that prior to their presentations of technologies during symposiums, the consortium should create an ad hoc committee to coordinate for Intellectual Property (IP) rights and issues. According to Gelonga, this is to safeguard the IP rights of inventors and their technologies and inventions.

The winning papers in the R&D categories will compete in the National Symposium on Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (NSARRD) to be hosted by PCARRD-DOST in November this year.

The development panel included (from left) Dr. Gilberto Altura;
MS Ramon Peñalosa, Jr; Dr. Juanito Batalon
and Engr. Rowen Gelonga.

For his part, incoming Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) chair, Dr. Joel Limson, president of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NISPC) based in Estancia, Iloilo, warmly welcomed the participants in the symposium’s opening rites. Among others, Limson encouraged cooperation and teamwork among member agencies and which will benefit the consortium as a whole.

Hosted by CPU led by Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, Techno Gabay Team Leader; Dr. Hope Patricio, RACG representative; and Aries Roda Romallosa, Regional Management Information Systems Group (RMISG) representative—this year’s 21st RSRDH was made possible through the efforts and initiative of the Consortium Secretariat and Dr. Geronimo Gregorio of CapSU, Regional Research and Development Group coordinator; Dr. Anna Mae Relingo of ASU, Regional Techno Gabay Group coordinator; Prof. Nilo Araneta of UPV who chaired the tabulation committee; and Dr. Jane Geduspan of UP Visayas and acting director and officer-in-charge of WESVARRDEC.

Participants, officials and facilitators of this year's RSRDH

ASU hosts Visayas-wide forum on SUCs-private sector partnerships

2011-08-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

By Sally R. Villasis

With reports from Rhea V. Martesano

The Aklan State University (ASU) hosted the Forum on SUCs (State Universities and Colleges)-Private Partnership on Education Economic Zones on August 17–19, 2011 at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan.

The first in a series of four, the forum convened presidents, vice-presidents for academic affairs, vice-presidents for research and extension, vice-presidents for production and business of the SUCs and industry representatives from the three regions 6, 7 and 8, all of Visayas.

Led by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), the said forum sought to provide venue for sharing the best practices on SUCs-Private Partnership and exploring potential partnerships with the private sector.

In his keynote address, Mr. Oscar A. Torralba, chair of the agri-business countryside development committee of the Management Association of the Philippines and CHED’s Technical Panel for Business and Management, presented the salient points of the Economic Education Zones (EEZ) as a Platform for Government-Industry-Academe (GIA) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) among SUCs.

According to Torralba, SUCs today face intense competition for opportunities and priorities in fiscal allocation with threats of budget deficits and increasing demands by the globalized market. Therefore, it is imperative for SUCs to employ “innovative approaches in facing these harsh realities.” It was in this vein that EEZ was conceptualized.

EEZ is designed to transform an SUC from being traditional, budget-based and grant-driven into an enterprising institution which effectively exploits its natural resource endowments. Under the same approach, SUCs are encouraged to engage in the commercial application of their research and knowledge base and the strong participation of the private sector for long-term cooperation.

For her part, Dr. Virginia Resurreccion, director of CHED’s Regional Office 6, stressed on the importance of raising the country’s human capital to help address the global issue on poverty. For Resurreccion, there is a need for a curriculum that offers quality education and training of students who can compete in the global market and whose skills and expertise can match the emerging trends in the industry.

While these can be hindered by lack of economic resources or similar financial constraints, public and private partnerships can provide key mechanisms for flexibility and accommodate growth in SUCs. For one, newly conceptualized SUC curriculums could help create jobs and help spur economic growth.

According to Resurreccion, partnerships that can be forged between SUCs and private sectors can inspire SUCs themselves to focus on research, training and development. All these efforts can provide inexpensive offshoots to the growth of knowledge economy. Furthermore, partnering with the private sector can help address the need for financial support for SUCs’ R&D activities.

The Visayas-wide forum featured paper presentations on curricular enrichment and development, enterprise development, intellectual property management, technology business incubation and technology commercialization, business process outsourcing and infrastructure and physical facilities development.

ASU reaps awards in 21st R&D symposium

2011-08-27T20:25:00.000-07:00

By Sally R. Villasis

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Aklan State University

Three research studies of Aklan State University (ASU) won the top prizes in the 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights (RSRDH) led by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) on August 22, 2011 at the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City.

The “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” won the top spot in the poster category and third place in the research category. The study was a joint effort of Lelisa Teodosio, Malco Teodosio, Rogelio Felizardo, Arlene dela Cruz, Anna Mae Relingo, Edito Agustin, Roberto Saladar, Margie Sumanga and Marilyn Romaquin of said university. Meanwhile, the “Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application” by Marilyn Romaquin, Michael Ibisate and Eva Orlina won second in the poster category.

Collaborators of the winning research paper

share the award and recognition for ASU.

Other papers presented in the symposium were the “Inventory on Mangrove-associated Mollusks, Fish and Crustacean Species in ASU-CFMS Reforested Project at Isla Kapispisan, Pinamuk-an, New Washington, Aklan” authored by Regvil de Jose, Eduardo Pastrana and Ryan Basina, and “Sensory Evaluation of Processed Nipa Fruit for Product Development” conducted by Perlita Israel, Rino Andro Inocencio and Marivel Villorente.

Designed to provide venues for discussion of R&D projects and activities in the region and promote collaboration among its member agencies, WESVARRDEC’s 21st RSRDH sought to evaluate researches conducted by the different member agencies and promote interaction between and among

Award-winning posters from ASU

21st RSRDH Winners

2011-08-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

Winners in the 21st Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights

Henry Luce III Library, Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City

22 August 2011

RESEARCH CATEGORY

First Place

Development of Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) Recommendations for Irrigated Rice in Region VI by Greta Gabinete, Hector Peñaranda, Benjamin Gutierrez and Roland Buresh

Second Place

Field Testing of ICRISAT Legume Varieties and Technologies in Selected Regions of the Philippines by Corazon Arroyo and Nenita Sodusta, Department of Agriculture-Western Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center

Third Place

Inventory and Bio-prospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan by Marilyn Romaquin, Lelisa Teodosio, et.al., Aklan State University

Evaluators

Dr. Rolando Labios, DA-BAR

Dr. Marcelino Siladan, PCARRD

Engr. Emelyn Flores, DOST 6

DEVELOPMENT CATEGORY

First Place

Bio Power-up Fuel Additive by Paolo Petalver and Dioscoro Marañon, Jr. of West Negros College-Research and Development Foundation, Inc.

Second Place

Low-Density Biomass Charcoal Maker by Paolo Petalver and Dioscoro Marañon, Jr. of West Negros College-Research and Development Foundation, Inc.

Third Place

SPD Multi-function Food Processing Equipment by Paolo Petalver and Dioscoro Marañon, Jr. of West Negros College-Research and Development Foundation, Inc.

Evaluators

Mr. Ramon Peñalosa, Jr., MS, WESVARRDEC

Engr. Rowen Gelonga, DOST 6

Dr. Juanito Batalon, PCARRD

Engr. Gilberto Altura, NEDA 6

POSTER CATEGORY

First Place

Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan, Aklan State University

Second Place

Yield and Fruit Quality of Rambutan under Different Timing and Levels of GA3 Application, Aklan State University

Third Place

Performance of Selected Indigenous Upland Rice through Adoption of Suitable Planting Methods under Rainfed Lowlands, Capiz State University

Evaluators

Dr. Ma. Luisa Mabunay, UP Visayas

Dr. Ma. Cielito Siladan, FPRDI

Ms. Lilian Diana Parreño, GSC

PCARRD meets with Negros FITS centers on STBF

2011-08-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

By Denesa C. Lamique, Techno Gabay Team Leader

& Jethro B. Dagunan, Regional Applied Communications Group Representative

To facilitate the release of funds for the Science and Technology-Based Farms (STBF) for the Magsasaka Siyentista of the Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers based in Escalante City and Negros Bacolod City, both of Negros Occidental, Dr. Democrito Magpantay, head of the technology packaging unit of the Technology Outreach and Promotion Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), led the Inception Meeting with the members of said beneficiaries recently in Bacolod City.

Along with Prof. Joseph Edward Idemne, WESVARRDEC Director; Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, TGP Coordinator and Mr. Nicolas Banquero, Techno Gabay Program staff, and Dianne Cabello of PCARRD, Magpantay met with the members of the OPA Negros Occidental and Escalante City FITS Centers including MS Ramon Peñalosa and MS Jose Vicente Alemany, FITS Manager Edna Garde, their technology services specialist, RACG and RMIS representatives.

Among others, Magpantay’s team briefed the participants on the Science and Technology (S&T) intervention provided by PCARRD. Aside from providing the guidelines on the establishment of S& T Based Farms, pertinent policies, rules and products of the STBF mechanism, Magpantay also advised WESVARRDEC and the FITS centers on how to best manage the funds provided for said projects.

MS Alemany shares farming practices

2011-08-11T21:34:00.000-07:00

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Regional Applied Communications Group Representative

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

It’s harvest time for Jun.

Years of trial and error in growing off-season cantaloupe melon has given Jose Vicente “Jun” Alemany, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Escalante City, Negros Occidental the level of knowledge and farming practice he now shares to his fellow farmers.

Alemany’s best practices in vegetable production included in the Science and Technology Based Farm (STBF) of the Escalante FITS Center was recently approved by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, Fishery Resources and Research Development (PCARRD). Said project will be monitored by Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Downloaded and coursed through the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), partner member agency of WESVARRDEC, the STBF Project for MS Alemany will showcase the use of appropriate S&T interventions in off-season production of cantaloupe melon. Aside from promoting the use of S&T based technologies on off-season cantaloupe production to 30 farmers and adopters, the STBF will come with the documentation of the best management practices on the same.

As part of the STBF, MS Alemany started sharing the one-module technology July 12, 2011 in his farm in Alimango, Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

The training is divided in two (2) cycles with 30 farmer beneficiaries. Each cycle will feature one module for eight weeks to benefit 15 farmers in order to ensure quality interactions and learning.

In the first module training, MS Alemany shared his know-how on the good and bad uses or qualities of water. He also made the farmers understand the soil and its pH (alkaline and acidity) level, the importance of both major and minor or trace elements. Alemany also lectured on the proper preparation of plot with plastic mulching, and planting and seedling preparation.

MS Alemany’s technology is promoted by Escalante City FITS Center led by FITS Manager Ferdinand Alico.

ASU sets directions for its FITS centers in 2011

2011-08-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

By Sally Villasis

Regional Applied Communications Representative

Aklan State University

To sustain the partnership between the partner member agency (PMA) and the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center, the Aklan State University (ASU), member agency of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources and Research Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), convened the staff of its FITS Centers in Aklan and Antique for the second quarter meeting and consultation-workshop on July 8, 2011 at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan.

In his speech, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon commended to the FITS staff and the local government units for their contribution in the achievement of ASU as WESVARRDEC’s Outstanding Partner Member Agency for the second time.

Abayon stressed that the direction of ASU id now geared to become a strong University. In particular, for ASU to excel in agriculture, it will get into the mainstream for development. For Abayon, the award received by ASU is dedicated to the people it assisted, because the people have accepted and adopted and made into action what the University has.

The newly installed ASU president said that ASU will focus its efforts on research on the commodities identified in Aklan. Abayon believes that a university should involve wholly most on knowledge generation and it can only be done through full engagement in research and commitment in extension work.

ASU Techno Gabay Team Leader Dr. Clyde G. Abayon led the team including Dr. Lelisa J. Teodosio, Regional Management Information System Group (RMIS) representative and Regional Applied Communication Group (RAC) Representative Salvacion R. Villasis and the alternates, Prof. Carmenchita M. Tumaca, Mr. Louie G. Garcia and Mr. Arthur E. Jizmundo.

The team met with FITS managers, technology service specialists, information service specialists and Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of Altavas, Banga, Ibajay, Nabas, New Washington and Numancia in Aklan and Libertad in Antique.

After Dr. Anna Mae C. Relingo, WESVARRDEC Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator, presented the framework of the Pinoy S&T Services, Dr. Abayon expressed her appreciation to all the FITS staff and Magsasaka Siyentista for their support and cooperation which contributed to the award conferred on the University.

Each FITS center was given the opportunity to report their accomplishments for the second quarter and the Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) also shared what they have done for the second quarter. Among others, MS Amelia Rentillo of Banga FITS Center shared her experiences on product promotion especially during festivals, fairs and exhibits. MS Neri Into of Libertad FITS Center reported on her ongoing Science and Technology Based Farm on Ginger Ale Processing.

For her part, Dr. Teodosio presented the highlights of the Regional Management Information System and reminded the FITS staff to submit their farmers’ profiles and their monthly and quarterly reports.

RACG Representative Villasis shared the highlights of the RACG second quarter meeting held at FITS Dumalag in Capiz. Urging the FITS staff to continue producing news articles on FITS activities, IEC materials of the focus commodity of their FITS center and MS practices, Villasis also enjoined them to promote FITS activities and MS practices and technologies through the “ASU Reports,” a regular feature program aired over Kalibo Cable Television.

At this writing, the FITS centers and MS of ASU have been scheduled for interview features.

ASU hosts PASUC confab on vertical articulation, financial mgt

2011-08-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

By Sally Villasis

Regional Applied Communications Representative

Aklan State University

On July 11–13, 20011, the Aklan State University (ASU) hosted the Training Workshop on Vertical Articulation of General Education and Degree-Granting Units in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and on Financial Management Phase II: Financial Reporting Using Microsoft (MS) Excel Pivot Table in SUCs spearheaded by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region VI at the ASU Review Center in Banga, Aklan. The ASU batch is the second conducted by PASUC following the first one held at the Benguet State University recently.

According to ASU President Danilo E. Abayon, lead convener, three model SUCs were tasked to share significant input for other participants to strengthen their respective institutions.

Dr. Benny A. Palma, president of PASUC VI and acting president of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC), said that the workshop was conceptualized following the low results in the Normative Funding (NF). According to Palma, NF was less understood since until 2009, some 85% of the SUCs obtained low results.

To address the problem, presidents of 11 SUCs from Western Visayas who are members of the PASUC VI, discussed the matter and came up with several innovations. These included the uniform utilization of income, capability building of SUCs and use of systematized computer programs for financial transactions.

Palma said these innovations made by PASUC VI were also adopted by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Palma said that very few SUCs have implemented vertical articulation, which is why “problems in the higher education keep on recurring like a nightmare." As per the CHED’s policy on vertical articulation, faculty of SUCs must be given loads based on their respective fields of specialization.

Considering that the two-year additional basic education program of DepEd might leave a two-year tertiary education once it’s in full swing, Palma said that SUC presidents across the country are negotiating with the Washington Accord to improve the curriculum.

In response to the future changes in the country’s educational milieu, the vertical articulation may provide an alternative solution. First, it will provide uniform formats across all degree-granting units in all campuses. Second, faculty members can share their specialization from undergraduate to master’s degree to doctoral degrees. Last, the college dean will have the competence to run the program from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Palma also encouraged the participants to design their programs according to vertical articulation owing to the benefits and outputs expected from them.

The PASUC VI conference was attended by a number of SUC presidents in the country including Dr. Editha Magallanes of the Capiz State University; Dr. Victor Navarra of the University of Antique; Dr. Rogelio Artajo of the Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology; Dr. Divinia Chavez of the Cavite State University; and Dr. Mariano de Jesus of the Bulacan State University.

Resource persons lectured on organizational structure, organizational communication, the ASU Model of College of Teacher Education Verticalization, and the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Model on Articulation and Implementation of CHED Verticalization Program in General Education and Degree-Granting Units and Campuses. Moreover, the CHMSC shared its experience on the implementation of vertical articulation in a state college while ASU shared its own on vertical integration of the general education curriculum.

Then, to maximize the use of computer program for financial transactions in SUCs, PASUC VI has devised the Microsoft (MS) Excel Pivot Table in SUCs. Said computer program will hasten the work in financial reporting because data is summarized, revealed, compare and analyze data and turn data into information.

Some 40 finance officers from SUCs across the country learned the advanced features of MS Excel and Pivot hands-on workshop under Ms. Jasmin L. Vargas, chief administrative officer of the finance division of the West Visayas State University.

“Better ASU researches this year”–PCARRD

2011-07-21T01:58:00.000-07:00

By Lelisa J. Teodosio, RMIS Representative

and Sally R. Villasis, RACG Representative

Aklan State University

Photos from PCARRD ACD

The quality of research in Aklan State University (ASU) is much better than it was two or three years earlier.

This is according to Dr. Lily Ann Lando, director of the Applied Communication Division (ACD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who delivered her speech in the closing rites of the ASU In-house Review on July 14–15, 2011 at the ASU Review Center, Banga, Aklan.

Commending ASU for hosting the “very important event,” Lando (see photo) likewise urged the researchers to continue to do research because ASU has a “big responsibility for being a Regional University.” According to Lando, researchers must lead the way not only for the ASU community but also for their colleagues in the region’s other universities.

ASU led the in-house review this year to mainstream its programs towards agriculture and fishery. The conference convened researchers from ASU’s five campuses who presented a total of 45 research papers. Of these, five are ongoing, 24 are proposed while 16 have already been completed.

Cited best papers for agri-fishery and eco-tourism were the “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” presented by Arlene Dela Cruz, et.al.; “Yield Performance of Pummelo var. Helmar as Affected by Pruning and Different Source of Fertilizer” by Michael Ibisate, et.al.; and “Resource Assessment of Brackish Rivers of New Washington, Aklan” by Zaida Ochavo, et.al.

Under the education, socioeconomics and related fields, the best papers were “Perception and Acceptance of Fingerprint Biometric Technology among Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel of ASU: Basis for Policy Recommendation” by Alfonsa Fanie Radislao, et.al.; “Learning Strategies of BSEd 3 Students in English Language Proficiency as a Second Language” authored by Librada Rebustes, et.al.; and “Leadership Dimension among Deans and Directors of Aklan State University: Its Implications to Public Administration.”

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of ASU said that “what makes a university is its research. And so to sustain further improvement of the quality of researches in the University, we hosted the in-house review.” Relingo also acts as Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Featuring the expertise of the University’s partner institutions, ASU invited selected panel evaluators to help enhance the research and development initiatives of the University.

For agri-fishery and eco-tourism, the panelists were Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando; Mr. Rolando V. Labios, chief agriculturist and coordinator for research office of the Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and Dr. Ulysses M. Montojo, senior aquaculturist and in-charge of planning, monitoring and evaluation division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.

The same panel included WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne who was represented by Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio, vice-president for research and extension of the Capiz State University (CapSU) and coordinator of WESVARRDEC R&D Group; and Dr. Jonic Natividad, regional veterinary quarantine officer of DA-Regional Field Office 6.

For education, socioeconomics and related fields, the evaluators were Dr. Evelyn L. Gregorio, faculty of CapSU Graduate School and social science researcher; Ms. Andrea Panilla, senior science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6; and Dr. Ersyl T. Biray, vice-president for academic affairs of ASU.

For his part, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon said that “we can do something after several years of inculcating the need to conduct research by the faculty.” For Abayon (see photo), it is also good to see that the University is getting mature in terms of the conduct of research. In his first year as president, Abayon stressed that researchers should publish in international journals, as they have already gone through national and international presentations.

Abayon also cited that researchers ought to revive many centers in the University such as the Center for Productive Use of Renewable Energy. He also encouraged to launch operations of the biodiesel plant and establish partnership with DOST for the Natural Dye Technology Resource Center. Abayon also urged everyone to sustain many other projects geared towards the improvement of the University’s R&D and extension programs.

MS Tubongbanua’s McNester Food Products named best regional micro enterprise

2011-07-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

By Isaac T. Abello

Staff

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

WESVARRDEC

In the first Regional Star Awards for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held during the Western Visayas Regional Development Council Meeting on June 30, 2011 in Bacolod City, the McNester Food Products was cited outstanding micro enterprise.

McNester Food Products is the mango processing enterprise owned and operated by Rebecca Tubongbanua, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of Guimaras Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Rosa Foods from Aklan won in the Small Enterprise category, while Waffle Time Inc. from Iloilo won Best Medium Enterprise.

HOW DO YOU NAME A SUCCESS LIKE REBECCA?

WESVARRDEC MS Rebecca Tubongbanua (center) receives

the plaque from the DTI as witnessed (from left) by Capiz Governor

Victor Tanco, chairperson of Regional Development Council VI;

Guimaras Governor Felipe Nava; DTI 6 Regional Director Nick Abad

and RDC VI Vice-Chairperson Marissa Segovia.

The regional winners were chosen by the DTI’s provincial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council. McNester Foods posted high in enterprise performance which covers growth in sales, in employment, investments and best practices.

MS Tubongbanua’s McNester Food Products, along with the regional winners, will compete in the national selection led by the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council.

The FITS Center is a technology transfer facility under the Techno Gabay program of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), one of the 14 national consortia under the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). PCARRD works under the banner of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

MS Tubongbanua's latest national publicity is a feature article on her dried mangoes and other prodicts written by Melpha Abello and published in the July 2011 issue of monthly publication Agriculture by the Manila Bulletin.

MS Tubongbanua's latest national publicity is a feature article

(see photo) on her dried mangoes and other products

written by Melpha Abello and published in the July 2011

issue of monthly publication Agriculture by the Manila Bulletin.

CHSMC hosts 1st SK Kampo Kalikasan

2011-07-20T20:35:00.001-07:00

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

“To contribute to the worldwide efforts of mitigating problems and issues on our environment,” the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) Fortune Towne Campus led the environmental youth camp dubbed as the first Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kampo Kalikasan June 1, 2011 at the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) Eco-park in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City.

Themed “Dare to be Different,” Kampo Kalikasan was organized by the Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth Movement or (SAVE ME Movement) of the CHMSC Fortune Towne Campus with the leadership and support of Barangay Estefania SK chaired by Karen P. Villarosa.

A national organization registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), SAVE ME Movement was named Ten Accomplished Youth Organization Awardee in 2006 and one of the Top Ten Youth Outstanding Organizations in the Philippines in 2003.

Attended by some 70 youth participants from Barangay Estefania, the Kampo Kalikasan is one the strategies launched as a response to the research findings conducted Dr. Ma Teresita Ballados. Ballados’s study found that the residents of Bacolod City have poor solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. SWM includes waste segregation, collection and transport, disposal and recycling.

Sampling some 269 respondents from Barangay 10, Barangay 19, Sum-ag and Estefania, all of Bacolod City, said study found that waste disposals are rampant in the streets, rivers and open sewerage.

After Dr. Eduardo G. Sayson, executive director of CHMSC Fortune Towne, opened the program, Mr. David G. Castor of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation (NFEF, Inc.) provided participants a national situationer, stressing on the present condition of the Philippine biodiversity.

Castor also shared on the importance of environmental education to help increase environmental awareness among constituents and to facilitate social programs and projects to maintain a sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

Prof. Jethro B. Dagunan of CHMSC lectured on climate change and the phenomenal causes of the problem and concrete possible solutions as regards solid waste management under Republic Act No. 9003.

After the youth camp, the CHMSC Fortune Towne, spearheaded by the SAVE ME Movement, will organize the Barangay Estefania Youth who are envisioned to become movers of the possible solutions of the SWM problem implementation and disaster risk mitigation in Bacolod City.

Publish more articles, RACG reps urged

2011-07-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communication Group

West Visayas State University

“Write more articles on activities from your own agencies,” Dr. Cora Navarra of the Capiz State University (CapSU), coordinator of Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the WESVARRDEC urged the representatives to submit more articles and have them published on several media.

The RACG coordinator made the pronouncement before RACG representatives of the consortium’s partner member agencies during their second Quarterly Meeting on July 7, 2011 at the Dumalag FITS Center in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. said that over 40 articles were written by WESVARRDEC’s RACG and staff in the first two quarters of the year. Said articles were posted on wesvarrdec.blogspot.com, a blogsite maintained by RACG and on wesvarrdec.org, a web portal updated by the Regional Management Information Systems Group (RMISG) led by Nilo Araneta of UP Visayas.

Most of these articles were picked up by the PCARRD portal maintained by the Applied Communication Division (ACD) headed by Director Lily Ann Lando and were also published by Panay News, an Iloilo City-based daily broadsheet with national circulation.

“Bisan ano nga activity or event sa inyo agency o sang inyo mangin maayo nga balita (Any activity or event in your agency or your MS that is well packaged becomes news worthy of publication),” Navarra said.

According to Navarra, RACG even needs to beef up the production of articles because the impact of the articles has been overwhelmingly beneficial in promoting the products of the region’s farmer scientists and FITS Centers. The more articles, the better the promotion, Navarra said.

Prolific publication of said articles has also helped the consortium because it promotes the activities of Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) through media exposure. For one, the McNester products, particularly the mango ketchup and mango sauce, of MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of FITS OPA Guimaras have received more orders from local and foreign buyers owing to the worldwide publicity afforded to the said farmer scientist.

“Manami gid kung ma-interview kag ma-package ninyo ang inyong Magsasakang Siyentista through articles para ma-replicate man sang iban sang ila technology nga ginagamit, (It would be best if you could personally interview your MS and their technologies and write about them so others could replicate these technologies,” Navarra said, citing that if at all, the consortium’s MS need all possible media coverage that they can get.

According to Navarra, some of the published articles will be included in The WESVARRDEC Monitor, the consortium’s publication published twice a year.

The WESVARRDEC RACG led by Coordinator Cora Navarra

of Capiz State University (seated, second from left) held their

meeting at the Dumalag FITS Center under the leadership of

Manager Ronelyn de Tomas (seated, third from left).

It’s hard. It’s like wood. It’s FITS Dumalag's engineered bamboo.

2011-07-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Representative

Carlos Hilado Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

With reports from Bernie Protacio and Niño Manaog

Photos by Jethro B. Dagunan & WESVARRDEC RMIS

A substitute for expensive, hard-to-find hardwood furniture material can be found in the town of Dumalag in the province of Capiz.

This is the engineered bamboo made by Mr. Randy Fancubila, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz.

The said MS commodity caught the attention of the representatives of the Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during their second quarter meeting held at Dumalag FITS Center on July 7, 2011.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo can be considered the result of Filipino ingenuity and innovativeness. Fancubila makes engineered bamboo planks. Procedures involve making bamboo slats of the same size and length, smoothening each slat and applying glue on one surface of each slat and sticking one on top of another. Then it is compressed using a compressing machine, and then a sturdy bamboo board is finished.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo undergoes several procedures. First, the bamboos are soaked in boiling water treated with insecticide or chemicals like Cymbush, WoodTech and DOT. The first two insecticides make the material bukbok-proof while the last one cleans the material’s texture. Then, bamboo slats are sun-dried. Then, using a thickness planer, MS Fancubila turns out flat moldings through surfacing. The flat moldings or layers are then glued using a woodworking adhesive. After a sanding sealer polishes the materials they are dried and polished with abrasive paper. After the slats are colored or varnished, they are dried for three to six hours. Then the bamboo boards are finished and ready.

MS Fancubila’s finished material looks like plywood which can be used in making beautiful furniture like table. Fancubila’s engineered bamboo table looks like a unique wood or plywood. Its thickness depends on the number of bamboo wood layers piled and compressed. According to MS Fancubila, this finished material is termite-resistant because it is treated with insect repellants and chemicals.

Because the use of hardwood for furniture and housing nowadays is expensive, going back to using bamboo as hardwood substitute is very practical and economical. In fact, well-prepared bamboo planks can compete well with hardwood in the local and foreign markets.

MS Randy Fancubila (right) entertains queries on his bamboo technology

from a walk-in visitor of the FITS Dumalag booth during the WESVARRDEC's

first Regional Technop Gabay Summit and Technomart at the Amigo Plaza Mall

in Iloilo City in May this year.

CapSU Dayao leads mangrove reforestation drive in Talon, Roxas City

2011-07-04T23:19:00.001-07:00

By Joselito Sitjar

Extension Chairperson

CapSU Dayao

In support of its ongoing Mangrove Reforestation Project launched in September last year, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Dayao Campus through its Fishery department led the mangrove trees planting in barangay Talon, Roxas City recently.

TROPANG KATUNGGAN

Fishery majors of Capiz State University Dayao Campus

take part in this reforestation drive, which also

inspires others to do something for Mother Nature.

The CapSU Dayao team led by Prof. Domingo Allanic, Prof. Joselito Sitjar, Prof. Pascasio Reyes and Prof. Eddie Tupaz spearheaded the planting of mangrove trees along the shoreline of the said barangay. Some 20 Talon barangay officials and barangay folk and the Fishery students representing all levels of CapSU Dayao took part in the initiative.

According to Mr. Domingo Allanic, mangrove reforestation coordinator of CapSU Dayao, the initiative has been launched to create awareness and promote environmental protection of the people of barangay Talon, its neighboring community. The mangrove seedlings used for the reforestation drive were propagated at the mangrove nursery of CapSU Dayao.

Allanic said that all these steps to continued mangrove reforestation of the Talon shoreline are sought to help create or restore the fish’s natural habitat in the area, which could later help establish it as an eco-tourism site.

For her part, Dr. Lucy Beluso, CapSU Dayao campus administrator, said this and other similar initiatives virtually form part of the campus’s flagship advocacy to reach out to the fishing communities to help improve the livelihood of its constituents.

A participant takes the first step in reforesting the mangrove area in barangay Talon.

German org awards SWM4LGUs training modules to CPU

2011-06-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

By Hope Patricio

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Central Philippine University

The Central Philippine University (CPU) led by President Dr. Teodoro Robles officially received the Training Modules for the Solid Waste Management for Local Government Units (SWM4LGUs) from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)-AHT Group AG headed by its Team Leader Dr. Johannes Paul on June 23, 2011 at the Appropriate Technology Center of the College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES) in Jaro, Iloilo City.

A highlight of GIZ-CPU cooperation in jointly pioneering a university curriculum in resource management, the handover of said materials was witnessed by Engr. Marivic Ricaña, deputy team leader of GIZ-AHT’s SWM4LGUs Project; Engr. Voltaire Acosta, National Solid Waste Management adviser of GIZ-AHT; Engr. Klaus Hanuschke, GIZ consultant for CPU SWM project; Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, dean of CARES; Engr. Aries Roda Romallosa, agricultural engineering coordinator of CARES; and Prof. Hope Patricio, research Coordinator of CARES.

The CPU officials received 17 training modules which will be used as lecture materials for the diploma program on resource management major in solid waste management under CARES. Said program would be offered to solid waste management (SWM) practitioners to enhance their expertise and to help produce new professionals in the SWM sector.

A project of GIZ's AHT GROUP AG, a privately owned independent consulting firm that offers management and engineering services in water, agriculture, environment, governance and waste, SWM4LGUs can be found in many areas across the country including Iloilo City, Roxas City and Buenavista in Guimaras in Western Visayas.

CPU President Teodoro Robles (third from left)

receives the materials from Dr. Johannes Paul

of GIZ-AHT (second from left),

as witnessed by the officials of the two institutions.

CapSU TG team leader trains Ivisan farmers on vegetable, organic farming

2011-06-30T05:23:00.000-07:00

By Niño Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

On June 28, 2011, Training Coordinator Eduardo Navarra of the Capiz State University (CapSU) Extension Institute led a training lecture on organic farming and vegetable production to some 20 farmers representing barangays Ondoy, Matnog, Sta. Cruz, Ilaya and Basiao, all of Ivisan town in Capiz.

Held at the Ivisan Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center in Poblacion, Ivisan, Capiz, the livelihood training formed part of the two-day Vegetable Production and Post-Harvest Handling Training led by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMA) of Ivisan under the leadership of Municipal Agriculturist Letecia Andrada and Agricultural Technologist Giovannie Lawag.

Among others, Eduardo Navarra briefed the participants on the disadvantages of commercial modern farming and stressed on the advantages of organic farming, stressing on how to best equip and protect the soil for quality production.

According to Navarra, commercial modern farming using too much chemicals and pesticides not only depletes the soil quality but also harms human beings. In turn, he stressed on the benefits that farmers would get from practicing organic farming technologies.

Navarra, CapSU Techno Gabay team leader, highlighted the projects of Ramon Peñalosa, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of fits opa Negros Occidental who practices integrated natural farming and produces his own insecticides, pesticides and similar other technologies in his farms in Victorias City and Manapla, Negros Occidental.

Navarra also suggested that farmers should make their own foliar fertilizers like Dao FITS Center in Dao, Capiz whose focus commodity (indigenous microorganism concoctions) very well complements and assists organic farming.

Navarra also urged the participants to form a group of farmers in their little communities who would focus on producing organic vegetables and crops because there will always be demand for them. He likewise assured that the local government of Ivisan led by Mayor Felipe Neri Yap will always welcome such initiatives if only to serve the members of the locality.

The lecture orientation, along with some demonstration of some farming materials and technologies, drew favorable response from a number of farmers.

Sixty-year-old Danilo Obrigue who maintains some 1.5 hectares of palay and 4,000 sq.m. planted to vegetables said he plans to try organic farming because it proves economical and friendly to people’s health. The former barangay captain of Ondoy said that vegetable growers in their locality were inspired by the type of farms they saw in Palayamanan in barangay Mianay that they would want to replicate it in their own barangay. For Obrigue, this is now the time to inspire others to pursue organic farming.

Seventy-one-year-old Mercedes Aldea, who has been farming in Sitio Balangasan in Ondoy since 1964, saw the ease in practicing organic farming. It is pasil (easy) because it makes use of materials that can be found in our very surroundings. She herself uses rice straws and chicken manure for compost and fertilizer and plans to maintain the same in her one-half hectare land planted to palay and banana. Aldea also produces patola and vegetables which she periodically sells in Ivisan market.

Meanwhile, 54-yr-old Avelina Benosa who has a 9,000 sq.m.- rented piece of land planted to coconut, banana and native ginger also wants to produce vegetables. For this purpose she considers sustaining their farm using both commercial and organic farming. For Benosa, she would adapt any practice that would best add to her productivity.

The two-day initiative also covered lectures and demonstrations on seed selection and site selection, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, post-harvest handling practices and marketing.

MS Tubongbanua featured in Bombo Radyo Iloilo’s ‘Unlad Pinoy’

2011-06-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

By Isaac Abello

Staff

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

"Kung ang paho kag kalamansi may fruits, ang aton nga labor may fruits man (If mango and calamansi bear fruits, so do our hard work)," Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) Rebecca Tubongbanua said in a radio interview at Bombo Radyo Iloilo’s “Unlad Pinoy” program aired on June 18, 2011 over DyFM Bombo Radyo Iloilo.

In her interview with radio host John Talento in one of the segments of “Unlad Pinoy,” a weekly program aired every Saturday at 9 a.m., MS Tubongbanua shared about how she started small as an entrepreneur and went on to become successful in her business venture.

Starting on a capital of 7,000 pesos in August 2003, MS Rebecca Tubongbanua first produced calamansi concentrate with honey. At the time, the future farmer scientist of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) wanted to help calamansi producers in her own locality to enhance and preserve their products.

Through the years, various government agencies assisted her in promoting and packaging her products, now labeled McNester Food Products. Since 2003, she has not stopped turning out varied mango- and calamansi-based products namely: mango ketchup, mango sauce, mango jam, mango concentrate, dried mangoes, mango pickles (atsara) and calamansi concentrate with honey.

MS Tubongbanua started processing mangoes in her own kitchen. Acting as processor, purchaser and the marketer all-in-one, Tubongbanua at the time relied on casual laborers to help her in processing and packaging her mangoes and products. To date, however, she now employs eight regular laborers who help her in the mango processing business.

Her McNester product line now carries different mango- and calamansi-based products which have also gained markets in international, national and regional fairs and food expos across the country. In agri fairs and expos, her mango catsup and mango concentrate, along with a few other products, have lured investors including food-chain businessmen, hotel operators and supermarket owners.

At this writing, Tubongbanua has closed an agreement with a Korean owner of a restaurant chain based in Seoul; thus, any time soon, the McNester mango products will reach Korea.

For her success as an entrepreneur and achievement as a noted farmer scientist, Tubongbanua does not fail to thank and praise the various government agencies whose technical assistance have helped her succeed.

Tubongbanua cites the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCARRD-DOST) for choosing to assist small and medium entrepreneurs like her. She also credits the Department of Trade and Industry for the technical trainings on bookkeeping, record keeping, packaging and promotions and the Department of Agriculture for inviting her to promote her products in various agri-fairs and expositions. The successful farmer scientist also attributes her success to the Bureau of Plant Industry National Mango Research Development Center for assisting her to develop science and technology-based products.

Tubongbanua cites the provincial government of Guimaras, the Farmers’ Information Technology Services Center based in the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and WESVARRDEC for documenting and promoting her products and mango processing technologies in local and national fairs and expos and all forms of media including the Internet.

Young Negros Occidental farmer named Gawad Saka national finalist

2011-06-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

By Vishia Mae Tolcidas

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Representative

FITS OPA Negros Occidental

This week, the Gawad Saka National Technical Committee will come to Negros Occidental to validate the projects of a young farmer-leader vying to be the country’s Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year.

Twenty-five year old Vito Binondo of barangay Guiljungan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental will be evaluated by the six-member committee headed by Dir. Alberto Maningding when they come to visit his three-hectare integrated farm at the Negros State College of Agriculture (NSCA), Provincial 4-H Club Coordinator Ma. Elena Gumban said.

Binondo is among the nine national finalists of the 2011 Gawad Saka, an annual search that recognizes the hard work and laudable effort of farmers all over the country.

According to Director Larry Nacionales of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6, Binondo’s trainings both here and abroad could help him much in applying his know-how in agriculture to expand his projects into a more productive and renowned project site for the province.

During the Pasidungog sa Mangunguma kag Mangingisda sa Panaad in April this year, Gov. Alfredo Marañon awarded Binondo as outstanding young farmer of Negros Occidental (see photo). He also won first place in the organic fertilizer making contest in the same event.

Early this year, Binondo won second in the same contest in the Regional Achievement and Recognition Day of the Western Visayas 4-H Club Youth Development Program.

Binondo comes from a less-privileged farming family and is the eldest of seven children. He grows palay, corn, vegetables and flowers while he raises goat, swine and poultry. He also has a mini-forest, nursery of forest and fruit trees, forage grassland, fish pond and vermicomposting.

NSCA Cauayan Chair for Instruction Germa Borres said Binondo was a student volunteer farm worker active in numerous agriculture-related activities. After earning a Diploma in Agricultural Technology, Binondo ventured into income-generating projects to help provide for his family. In April 2011, he completed his degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science.

For Binondo, his greatest achievement is being a participant of the Japan Agricultural Exchange Council’s Young Filipino Farmers Training Program in 2007–2008 where he acquired skills in swine breeding and fattening.

Currently, he is the director of the 4-H Club Regional Federation.