DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) director Joell H. Lales, together with Research Program Development Division head Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera and other DA-BAR officials and staff, visited the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija to look into the mobile solar-powered hose reel irrigation system studied and established under the BAR-funded project “Renewable Energy Powering Agriculture: Integration of Photovoltaic Technology with Farm Production System.”

Dr. Edgar Orden, CLSU president, and Dr. Armando Espino Jr., vice president for Research and Extension and project leader, led the discussion on project accomplishments. Meanwhile, DA-BAR director Lales and the team provided inputs on ensuring that significant R4D outputs such as this would be upscaled, especially to remote, rural areas of the region and beyond, to boost agricultural production and improve farmers’ incomes. 

Demonstrated in the CLSU grounds, the mobile solar-powered hose reel irrigation system is a climate-smart technology that utilizes PhotoVoltaic technology–converting sunlight into electricity–to provide cheaper, cleaner, reliable crop irrigation in remote areas. The project also collaborated with selected onion and rice farmers cooperatives and associations at Brgy. San Agustin, San Jose City and Brgy. Licaong, Science City of Muñoz, respectively, in testing the mobile system.

The recently-reconstituted Scientific Career Evaluation Committee (SCEC) of the Department of Agriculture (DA) held a meeting on 18 January 2023 at the Crop Research Biotechnology Center, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija to discuss the terms of reference of the committee and evaluate the applicants for possible conferment to the Scientific Career System.

Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Scientist IV and chief of the Training Division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), as the newly designated committee chairperson, presided over the meeting and was joined by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research director Joell H. Lales, as the co-chairperson, members of the evaluation committee, and secretariat. 

Created in 1990, the DA-SCEC is tasked to conduct the screening and evaluation of documents submitted by the nominated applicants from DA units; conduct validation of accomplishments and other relevant functions of the applicants based on the guidelines set by the Scientific Career Council of the Department of Science and Technology and the Civil Service Commission; and recommend qualified applicants to the DA Secretary for endorsement to the DOST Secretary. 

DA-Bicol Region officials led by Sorsogon Dairy Production and Technology Center (SDPTC) OIC-superintendent Pedro Oliver paid a courtesy visit to DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell H. Lales on 26 January 2023 at the Office of the Director, RDMIC Building, Quezon City.

SDPTC officials discussed their proposed R4D collaborative program on the development of the local dairy industry in Sorsogon. The meeting was also highlighted by a discussion on the bureau’s new flagship community based-R4DE program for areas with high poverty incidence and low agricultural productivity.

DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), together with the Project Management and Coordination Unit (PMCU) of the “Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in Traditional Agro-Ecosystems of the Philippines'' or the ABD project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), held the Project Scoping cum Project Conceptualization Writeshop in Banaue, Ifugao on January 24, 2023. 

Participated by ABD project’s partner farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs),  provincial and municipal local government units of Hungduan and Hingyon Ifugao; DA-Cordillera Administrative Region; and Ifugao State University, the activity capitalized on the gains of the project and zeroed in on collectively identifying sustainable interventions and action points by prioritizing those related to technology transfer, upscaling and commercialization leading to enterprise development of the targeted communities. 

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales, along with FAO-PMCU national project coordinator Virginia L. Agcopra, spearheaded the discussions and highlighted the significance of inclusive and participatory exercises such as this event, in ensuring that appropriate and timely interventions will be provided to FCAs, processors, and communities.

DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), led by OIC-director Joell Lales, met with  Senator Cynthia Villar’s chief of staff Atty. Rhaegee Tamana, DA assistant secretary for Operations Arnel de Mesa, Dr. Vivencio Mamaril, DA Corn Program’s technical adviser, Dr. Candido Damo, and DA Cagayan Valley officials and researchers led by regional technical director for research and regulations Rose Mary Aquino, to discuss the corn R4D and seed breeding initiatives of the DA Cagayan Valley Region on 26 January 2023 at DA-BAR, Quezon City. The meeting highlights the corn breeding efforts and the production data and analysis in Cagayan Valley Region, as well as the possible interventions and ways to further improve and empower the corn industry in the Philippines.

The discussion also included the strengthening of R4D in the corn industry, specifically the continuous improvement of the existing corn varieties of highest farmers’ preference, and coming up with comprehensive plans and programs for the corn industry.###

DA-Davao Region officials led by senior science research specialist Grace Gutierrez paid a courtesy visit to DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell Lales on 27 January 2023 at the Office of the Director, RDMIC Building, Quezon City.

The visit discussed the region's proposed R4D collaborative programs on corn and soybean farming using the stripping process or planting corn and soybean in alternating columns which gives better income to farmers.

DA-Davao region science research assistant Gladys Lynn Flores and project assistant Kissy Orillo; and DA-BAR Research Coordination Division assistant head Amavel Velasco also attended the meeting.

University of the Philippines Los Baños Edible Landscaping Team led by project leader Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr. paid a courtesy visit to DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell H. Lales on 26 January 2023 at the Office of the Director, RDMIC Building, Quezon City.

Dr. Sanchez, along with co-project leader Charito Balladares and project staff John Bryan Lawas and Veianne May Dote, presented their ongoing project funded by DA-BAR on  “Enhancing Regional Capacities on Urban Agriculture towards Nutrition-sensitive Crop Production through Edible Landscaping” which aims to capacitate DA Regional offices and ultimately the local communities on edible landscaping.

Also joining the meeting were DA-BAR technical staff Alvin Fontanil, Juan Nikolas Paller, Glenn Dimayuga, and Candice Guilaran; and budget officer Marilou Oren

Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU) vice president for Research and Extension Dr. Hermogenes Paguia paid a courtesy visit and discussed with DA-BAR OIC-director Joell Lales a proposed R4D collaboration to establish a technology-based enterprise development on rice-ulang culture.

The proposed Palay-Isdaan project intends to show farmers and fish growers one feasible venture to increase their production and profitability following a private-public partnership model and focusing on alleviating the state of fisherfolk cooperatives in the province of Bataan especially those in the poorest areas.

DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research and Cavite State University (CvSU) discussed a proposed collaboration on a technology that enhances the quality of chocolates during the latter’s courtesy visit on 8 February 2023 at DA-BAR Office of the Director, Quezon City.

Through an equipment called Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS), CvSU intends to share the technology to cacao farmers in poor municipalities to help them increase their profitability.

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales shared to CvSU staff the new approach of the bureau which is project scoping in 4th and 5th class municipalities by directly interacting with the farmers, asking them what they need and collaborating with the regional offices and other stakeholders in creating a program that will address these needs.

The meeting was attended by CvSU monitoring and evaluation staff Adelma Rivera, faculty researchers Agnes Alimboyoguen and Bernadette Morelos; DA-BAR technical staff Gian Carlo Espiritu and Kenny Bryalle Mendez.

Dr. Custer C. Deocaris and Dr. Malona V. Alinsug, senior science research specialists of DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, visited the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) on February 9, 2023 to seek information on the DA’s adlay research for development (R4D) program and to present their concepts and ideas on further development of the crop commodity. 

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales, together with Research Program Development Division head Raymond Patrick L. Cabrera and adlay R4D program focal person Apolonia Mendoza, met with them and shared the accomplishments, ongoing initiatives, and plans for the said program. 

Highlighted in the meeting are the potential directions of adlay for the expansion of product commercialization, nutritional bioavailability, and food functionalities in support to building up the crop’s information resource and its branding.

In line with the project titled, Strengthening the Oyster Aquaculture in Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Alaminos City and Sual (ABBAS) Municipalities of Pangasinan through the Bamboo Ratfs Technology, a harvest activity was conducted on 8 February 2023 at Bolinao, Alaminos City, Pangasinan.

Funded by DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), the said project aims to strengthen the oyster production in the said local government units through the bamboo raft technology.

An alternative and effective method that is proven to be far better than that of the traditional one, oyster rafts are purposely designed to promote and demonstrate the method of hardening practice that would lead in the control and eradication of fouling organisms resulting to higher and quality/premium oyster yield.

DA-BAR OIC-assistant director Dr. Anthony B. Obligado and Research Coordination Division head Julia A. Lapitan joined DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute executive director Dr. Lilian C. Garcia in the said activity. Also present are the beneficiaries who are very excited to harvest the oysters they produced using the bamboo rafts.  

2022 The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate in the field of Agriculture Science Dr. Ruben Villareal had a casual but inspiring conversation with DA-BAR OIC Director Joell Lales during his visit to DA-BAR Quezon City office on 14 February 2023.

The 83-year old multi-awarded plant scientist shared his experiences in the past and how he started in the field of agricultural science and later provided brief recommendations on how to efficiently manage R4D in the country.

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) had a consultation meeting with agriculture and fisheries R4D experts most of whom are former key officials, retirees, and alumni of the bureau who also gave accounts of their post-BAR experiences. 

The attendees gave words of advice to make the R4D system more relevant to farmers and fisherfolk by continuing to strive harder and making a difference not to get lost in the journey of life and of agriculture. They also advised to use science and technology in developing the agriculture sector and to harness the powers of industry leaders and the private sector to now come forward and make partnerships with the small farmers through their cooperatives. They also said that agriculture needs economies of scale because of the limited areas the country has. Further, encourages the people of BAR to be courageous, hardworking, and never give up in order for BAR to continuously exist.

DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell Lales made a courtesy visit to DA Central Luzon regional technical director for Research, Regulatory & Integrated Laboratories Dr. Arthur Dayrit on 16 February 2023 in Capitol Compound, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, prior to the monitoring and visit to selected DA-supported research for development (R4D) projects. 

On behalf of DA Central Luzon regional executive director Crispulo Bautista Jr., RTD Dayrit formally welcomed OIC-director Lales to the regional office and shared some of the ongoing R4D initiatives of the region. In response, the bureau director discussed the bureau’s flagship programs–the Community-based R4DE Program for Farm Productivity and Sustainability (CPAR) and Agricultural Technology Business Incubators (ATBI). 

Dr. Emily Soriano, agricultural center chief of DA-Central Luzon Integrated Agricultural Research Center for Upland Development, along with other technical staff of the region, also participated in the meeting. 

To look into and assess possible interventions that could further boost the results of research for development (R4D) interventions, DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell Lales, together with DA-Central Luzon regional technical director (RTD) for Research, Regulatory & Integrated Laboratories Dr. Arthur Dayrit, met with Lupon ng Itanglew sa Ganap na Asenso (LIGA) on 16 February 2023 at Sitio Itanglew, San Marcelino, Zambales.

An Indigenous People’s Organization and among the partners of the R4D project “Accelerated Production and Commercialization of Purple Yam in Selected IP groups in Central Luzon”, LIGA shared with DA-Central Luzon and DA-BAR their volume of purple yam production and their ongoing partnership with MAYANI, an agri e-commerce platform that markets farmers’ produce in a digital agri value chain. Also discussed were other identified agricultural needs of the community.      

Marlon Tiglao, LIGA chairperson, shared during the discussion the identified agricultural needs of the community, including those related to water access and transporting of goods, which greatly affect their productivity. In response, RTD Dayrit committed to send technical staff from the regional office to assess and provide necessary support to address said needs. OIC-director Lales recommended an assessment of R4D services and interventions that may be prioritized and implemented in and by the community through the regional office.

Dr. Geraldine Sanchez, vice president for research, extension, and training (RET) of Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), together with other officials of the university, shared with DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell Lales their plans and recent initiatives to further intensify their contribution to the agriculture and fishery development, not only of the province, but of the country, during a meeting held on 17 February 2023 at RET building, PSAU, Magalang, Pampanga. 

On the part of DA-BAR, OIC-director Lales shared about the bureau’s inclusive and participatory research for development planning and management approach, focusing on areas with high poverty incidence relative to agricultural productivity. He also underscored the importance of technology management and the role that agricultural technology incubation facilities play in capacitating interested stakeholders (incubatees) and establishing agri-aqua enterprise/s.

Also in attendance in the meeting were PSAU officials, Dr. Joanarch Briones, dean of the College of the College of Agriculture Systems and Technology, Dr. Amalia Briones, director of Extension and Training Office, Walter L. Pacunana, director of the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management Office and chairperson, Department of Fisheries, and Dr. Jasmin Villanueva, assistant director of the R&D cluster. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) for its support as national coordinating partner to the six-year old R4DE project titled, Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agrobiodiversity in Traditional Agroecosystems of the Philippines.  Also known as the Agrobiodiversity (ABD) project, this is being implemented by UN-FAO in collaboration with DA-BAR.

Awarding the Certificate to DA-BAR OIC Director Joell H. Lales is FAO Agrobiodiversity Project Management Coordinating Unit National Coordinator Virginia Agcopra who thanked the bureau for its all-out support to the Agrobiodiversity Project which benefited the farmers in the project’s three pilot municipalities namely Hungduan and Hingyon in Ifugao and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

President and Agriculture Secretary Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the launching of the Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay Kadiwa'y Yaman Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement (HAPAG KAY PBBM) program on 1 March 2023 at the Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Manila. In support, DA-BAR joined other attached agencies of the bureaus of the department during the ceremonial event.

Toward the fulfillment of the Administration’s thrust in addressing hunger and achieving food security in the country, the HAPAG KAY PBBM merges the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) HAPAG sa Barangay project and the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Green Revolution 2.0: Plants for Bountiful Barangays Movement to increase consumer's access to fresh, safe, and affordable produce through household and community gardening. Further, the program aims to strengthen agricultural productivity and resiliency of the country by promoting sustainable urban agriculture technologies in urban, peri-urban, and rural communities.

President Marcos and DILG Secretary Atty. Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. officiated the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding of the said program. Local Government Units, State Universities and Colleges, and private sector representatives also participated in the event.

Officials and staff of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) led by OIC-director Joell H. Participants also joined the HAPAG KAY PBBM walk visiting the exhibited urban and community gardens and opening of the KADIWA ng Pangulo; and witnessed the launching of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council’s special loan program for onion farmers. 

Officials and researchers of the National Crop Protection Center (NCPC) led by director Dr. Barbara Caoili had a discussion meeting with DA-BAR OIC Director Joell Lales on the current developments on crop protection like the introduction of new technologies or applications to monitor, control, and manage p

.articular crop diseases like corn fall armyworm, onion armyworm, fusarium wilt, and other economically important pests and diseases of major commodities.

During a courtesy visit to DA-BAR, Quezon City on 3 March 2023, NCPC director Caoili shared that NCPC is finding innovative ways related to biocontrol of pests and diseases to manage crop pests and partnering with concerned agencies in the most cost effective means.

OIC Lales encourages NCPC to develop cheaper but equally effective pest control solutions to make it affordable to farmers and other marginalized end-users. He added that good IEC materials are important to make the farmers understand how to use the technology.

Also in the meeting are technical staff of DA-BAR Chiqui Padullon, Rhea Desalesa, Apolonia Mendoza with Research Coordination Division Assistant Head Amavel Velasco and NCPC researchers Marita Pinili, Romalene Miras, Randolph Candano, Gideon Aries Burgonio, Daniel Alcaide and Deputy Director April Alviar.

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research annually joins the celebration of the National Women’s Month every March. This year, the bureau launched the celebration through the announcement of the lineup of activities and launching of the Women’s Month exhibit on 6 and 8 March, respectively.

The other lineup of activities include an online seminar for stakeholders titled, OPV Corn and the Women behind Café Bagga; as well as two seminars for staff titled, Gender Sensitivity in the Workplace, and Gender-responsive Agriculture and Fisheries Research. Staff were also invited to join the #PurpleWednesdays by wearing purple shirts in support of the Philippine Commision on Women campaign.

This day also marks the celebration of the International Women’s Day. ###

The Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples officially signed a Joint Memorandum Circular relative to the recognition and registration of nationally important agricultural heritage systems (NIAHS), thereby promoting its dynamic conservation and sustainable management on 10 March 2023 at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.

Provision of specialized and appropriate packages of interventions, incentives, and benefits particularly to the IPs/local communities through existing programs, projects, and strategies of national government agencies are among the stipulated guidelines in the draft JMC.

The said JMC was crafted through the project titled, Dynamic conservation and sustainable use of agro-biodiversity in traditional agro-ecosystems of the Philippines or the Agrobiodiversity project funded by Global Environment Facility grant and collaboratively implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research.

Representing Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban, Assistant Secretary for Regulations Atty. Paz Benavidez officiated the signing ceremony together with the respective officials of partner agencies. ###

University of the Philippines Los Baños Edible Landscaping (UPLB-EL) Team led by project leader Dr. Fernando Sanchez, Jr. turned over an EL Demo Garden to DA-Bicol Region to inspire and train nearby communities on EL garden management.

In a simple ceremony held at the regional office in Pili, Camarines Sur, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research led by OIC-director Joell Lales and other project partners graced the occasion to express their support to the EL project for DA regional field Offices in support of attaining food self-sufficiency in the communities.

Funded by the DA-BAR, the demo garden will initially be set-up in other DA regional offices like Cagayan Valley and MIMAROPA. 

DA-Davao Region and the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) launched the project titled, Establishment of Coconut-based Farming System towards Technology Adoption in Paquibato District, Davao City on 8 March 2023.

This project aims to improve the production of old coconut, cacao trees, and banana-cardava through rehabilitation— including nutrient management, pest and diseases, and control and cultural management. Through the funding of DA-BAR, this will also allow the farmers to create viable livelihood with swine and vegetable production, hence, increase income and enhance quality of life in a span of 5 to 10 years after project implementation.

Currently, the DA-Davao Region selected Malabog Fatima Farmers’ Association and Malabog-Fatima Integrated Farmers’ Association as their beneficiaries.  They received farming supplies such as organic fertilizers, seeds, equipment, and planting materials to start-off technology intervention in coconut farming. 

In celebration of the 2023 National Women’s Month, the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research, through its Gender and Development (GAD) Focal Point System, conducted a one-day GAD seminar series on 21 March at the RDMIC Bldg., Diliman, Quezon City.

Serving as resource speakers were Solène Marie Legazpi and Kristine Anne Lee, GAD specialists from Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and Dr. Blesshe Querijero, member of the PCW National GAD Resource Pool and UPLB associate professor. ###

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) maintained its ISO 9001:2015 certification after successfully passing the Second Surveillance Audit (remote) on 5 August 2021. The bureau received its certification on August 2019.

TÜV Rheinland, the certification body, presented three positive findings with no non-conformity raised. The audit focused on the compliance and implementation of the bureau’s quality management system, processes, and documented information.

Auditors Lynn Gerzon and John Francis Faustorilla from TÜV Rheinland also presented opportunities for improvement for effective implementation of the QMS. ###

Regional technical directors from different DA-regional field offices paid a courtesy visit to DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research OIC-assistant director Dr. Anthony B. Obligado on 27 March 2023 at the Office of the Assistant Director, RDMIC Building, Quezon City.

The RTDs, which consists of Dr. Rose Mary Aquino from DA-Cagayan Valley, Dr. Elvira Torres from DA-Eastern Visayas, Cora Dumayaca from DA-Northern Mindanao, Maria Melba Wee from DA-Zamboanga, and Atty. Jennilyn Dawayan from DA-CAR.

OIC-assistant director Obligado and the RTDs had an interesting and fruitful discussion and particularly talked about the aspect of  strengthening the collaboration for related research and development projects. 

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Agricultural Research and in partnership with the Climate Resilient Agriculture Office (CRAO), co-hosted with the Thailand Department of Agriculture (DOA) the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) Knowledge Exchange Event and Partners Meeting on March 28-30, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand.

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales, in his capacity as the ASEAN CRN co-chair and incoming ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (ATWGARD) meeting chair, delivered the welcome remarks.

Attended by ASEAN-CRN, ATWGARD focal points, international development organizations conducting similar initiatives in the region, as well as civil society organization partners, the three-day event focused on building the capacities of ASEAN-CRN focal points on topics such as agromet, climate information services, digitalization of information, and how agriculture can help achieve national climate targets. The event also provided a venue for discussion on potential collaborations among partners of ASEAN CRN. 

The Knowledge Exchange Event and Partners Meeting is one of the regional events of the network, whose key messages will form part of the upcoming 8th ASEAN-CRN Annual Meeting agenda. 

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), together with the DA-Climate Resilient Agriculture Office, attended the 8th ASEAN-Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) Annual Meeting on 4 April 2023 via virtual platform.

An annual gathering of ASEAN-CRN, ATWGARD focal points, and regional and international development partners, the meeting was highlighted by a presentation on the activities and achievements of the network, as well as discussions on the updates and plans of the ASEAN member states in their respective countries in line with the network priority areas and activities, and ASEAN policy framework.

Key messages and agreements during the meeting will be submitted for discussion to the 17th ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (ATWGARD) meeting on 5 April 2023. Thailand Department of Agriculture serves as the ASEAN-CRN chair. 

The 17th ASEAN Technical Working Group on Agricultural Research and Development (ATWGARD) convened on 5 April 2023 to discuss the progress of different implemented agricultural R&D programs and activities by the member states. OIC-director DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and ATWGARD chair Joell H. Lales facilitated the said meeting.

The discussion focused on sustainable agricultural practices, food security and safety, climate change resiliency, and livelihoods of farmers in the SEA nations. 

The DA[1] , through Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, and Kyungpook National University (KNU), through President Dr. Won-Hwa Hong, renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 24 April 2023 at Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Under the renewed MOU, the DA, through the coordination of DA-BAR and DA-ATI[2] , and KNU of the Republic of Korea will, among others, pursue and organize professional education and staff development programs, through training courses, symposia, and conferences on various research for development and extension areas. 

The DA-BAR, together with the DA-ATI and DA-Project Development Service (DA-PDS), met with representatives from Kyungpook National University on 25 April 2023. The involved parties discussed the recent renewal of memorandum of understanding of internship, MS and PhD programs with the KNU. 

The DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) OIC-director Joell H. Lales and DA  Cagayan Valley regional technical director for Research, Regulations, and Finance and Administrative Concerns Rose Mary G. Aquino, Ph.D., graced the opening ceremonies of the first Ivana Foundation Week on 26 April 2023 in Ivana, Batanes through the invitation of municipal mayor and former DA-Batanes Experiment Station center manager Celso B. Batallones.

In celebration of Ivana’s 238th year as a community, an agro-trade and tourism fair was also held highlighting wakay (sweet potato)--Ivana’s staple crop. 

DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales and DA-Cagayan Valley regional technical director for Research, Regulations, and Finance and Administrative Concerns Rose Mary G. Aquino, PhD, led the inauguration of the Research and Development Building of the DA-Batanes Experiment Station (DA-BES) on 26 April 2023 in Basco, Batanes. 

DA-Caraga regional technical director for Research and Regulation Abel F. Wagas paid a courtesy visit to DA-BAR OIC-director Joell H. Lales on 5 May 2023.

Dir. Wagas showcased the tableya cacao tablets, a product developed by Lisbos Cacao Trading based in Bacuag, Surigao del Norte through the department’s R4D support. Said product has already obtained License to Operate and Certificate of Product Registration from the Food and Drug Administration. 

The DA-BAR held its ceremonial turnover of leadership from former OIC-director and now OIC-assistant director Joell H. Lales to the newly re-appointed director Dr. Junel B. Soriano on 9 May 2023 in Diliman, Quezon City.

The program also awarded the certificates of commendation to former OIC-director Lales, former assistant director and now Research Coordination Division (RCD) head Anthony B. Obligado, PhD, former RCD OIC-head and now the RCD assistant head Julia H. Lapitan, and Amavel A. Velasco, former RCD OIC-assistant head. # 

Funded by DA-BAR, the establishment, in partnership with the Agri-based Developed Processed Products Technology Business Incubator (ADePT-TBI), will bring together the brightest minds and resources to accelerate the journey of interested stakeholders and agripreneurs from concept to commercial success. 

DA-BAR, led by assistant director Joell H. Lales, and DA-Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), led by director Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, discussed the complementation and integration of research to extension in a meeting on 16 May 2023.

To improve the scaling of research technology through extension services to farmers and other end-users, the two agencies were formulating ways to unify the DA-BAR’s Regional Research for Development Network and DA-ATI’s Regional Agri-Fisheries Extension Network into a single network that will undertake the integration of all agriculture and fisheries research, development, and extension efforts of DA. 

To ensure the smooth implementation of the DA-BAR-funded project to upgrade the Plant Genetic Resource (PGR) Center in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), an inception meeting was held in La Trinidad, Benguet on 17 May 2023.

The meeting was led by DA-CAR regional technical director for Research and Regulations Atty. Jennilyn M. Dawayan, together with project leader and DA-CAR Research Division chief Dr. Luis P. Lang-oy.

The said project intends to acquire needed equipment and establish a PGR network in the region. It also aims to strengthen the capacity of the key players of the PGR to explore, document, and collect germplasm for characterization of traditional agricultural crops for their regeneration and conservation. 

DA-BAR research projects take center stage at CHED's annual bazaar and exhibit, featuring processed food innovations like malunggay powder with dilis powder and polvoron with malunggay powder, as well as smoked bangus enhanced with lemon grass.

Alongside these culinary creations were unique handicrafts like baskets, bags, native plates, and cat cages made of intricate nito and rattan weaving. The five-day exhibition brought together various stakeholders in higher education to celebrate these standout products and projects. 

One newly-appointed and one promoted DA-BAR staff took their oath on 11 and 25 May 2023, respectively.

Kristan Deo B. Rodriguez was newly appointed as Administrative Assistant III, while Jude Ray P. Laguna was promoted to Administrative Officer V. DA-BAR director Dr. Junel B. Soriano officiated their oath taking ceremonies. 

The DA-BAR Management Committee convened on 1-2 June 2023 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) to foster a collaborative environment for strategic discussions and decision-making. Joining them were UPLB chancellor Jose Camacho Jr. and vice chancellor for Research and Extension Nathaniel Bantayan.

To promote homestead and community-based food production, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Edible Landscaping (EL) Team through funding support from DA-BAR implemented a project that established EL gardens in six regions strategically located across the country.

The UPLB EL Team formally inaugurated and turned over the said project and EL garden to DA-MIMAROPA, one of its project sites, at DA-Palawan Research and Experiment Station on 30 May 2023 in Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. 

The DA-BAR, led by assistant director Joell H. Lales, attended the joint ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for the Zero Kilometer Project (0KM) which was held at the Office of the Secretary, DA central office on 5 June 2023.

In his message, assistant director Lales expressed DA-BAR’s full support to the project which aims to develop the food demand and supply structure of Hermosa and Dinalupihan in Bataan. 

The DA Scientific Career Evaluation Committee (SCEC) convened on 13 June 2023 at the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization in Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija.

The committee evaluated the applications of aspiring scientists for conferment, as well as those who are aiming to upgrade their ranks in the Scientific Career System. They also discussed their ways forward such as the orientation and training for DA offices and strengthening the SCEC processes.

Scientist IV and DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute-Training Division chief Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos and DA-BAR director Dr. Junel B. Soriano served as the committee chair and co-chair, respectively. The bureau, through its Program Development Division, served as the committee secretariat. ## 

DA-Central Luzon featured research-generated food products and technologies in their technology forum held today, 14 June 2023, at DA-CLIARC, Paraiso, Tarlac.

The event promoted mature and ready-to-adopt technologies and products generated through research for development projects funded by the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research in collaboration with DA-Central Luzon as the implementing agency. During the event, researchers also catered to the queries of farmers and next-in-line users relevant to technology adoption and promotion.

Among the showcased products were mushroom crackers, tapa, bulgogi, and tocino. Meanwhile, the tissue culture technology for sweet potato and banana, and mass production technology for mushrooms[1]  were also exhibited in the said event.

DA-BAR and Climate Resilient Agricultural Office welcomed key officials and representatives from CIRAD (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development),  Agence Française de Développement and the Asian Development Bank to the bureau on 16 June 2023 as they set to start the inception mission from 15-23 June 2023 in the Philippines.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the technical assistance support for the research for development (R4D) policy reform agenda of the Climate Change Action Program of DA, including its timelines and deliverables. Key officials from CIRAD also presented their agriculture research agenda focus.

DA-BAR director Junel B. Soriano, together with assistant director Joell H. Lales, highlighted the role of the bureau in the agri-fishery R4D sector and sought further support from the organization toward the actualization of the said partnership. 

DA-BAR conducted a consultation meeting with Dr. Cynthia Bantilan, former program director at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, on 16 June 2023. The group had a discussion on the current monitoring and evaluation scheme that the bureau implements as well as impact assessment initiatives that it pursues. With the  guidance and expertise of Dr. Bantilan, the group had set its ways forward for a more effective and efficient implementation of the bureau’s programs, M&E, and impact assessment activities. 

To track the project’s progress and ensure everything is completed on time, on budget, and according to the project’s requirements and objectives, the DA-BAR conducted on-site monitoring and documentation of three projects in Zamboanga Peninsula on 12-16 June 2023. Project leaders and staff accompanied the monitoring team to the project sites. 

Joell H. Lales took his oath as the Director III (assistant director) of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research on 19 June in a simple ceremony officiated by DA senior undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban at the DA Central Office, Elliptical Road, Quezon City. 

Thirteen applicants began their journey in the Summer Youth Internship Program (SYIP) of DA-BAR through an orientation on 26 June 2023. These interns have been thoughtfully assigned to various offices or units within the bureau, taking into account their individual knowledge and skill sets. By aligning interns with specific roles, the SYIP aimed to optimize their learning experience and empower them to make significant contributions within their designated areas. 

Aligned with the goal to solidify the role of research for development in responding to the needs of farmers and fisherfolk, a team from the  DA-BAR, led by assistant director Joell H. Lales, conducted a scoping and appraisal activity on 27 June 2023 in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Six leaders of cooperative and associations of farmers and fisherfolk from the municipalities of Talacogon and Loreto in Agusan del Sur participated in the activity and discussed their respective issues and concerns and needed intervention to boost their production and income. The activity also highlighted rice and corn, livestock, banana and cacao, and fisheries as priority commodities of the attending FCAs. DA-CARAGA Regional Field Office, through its research division, facilitated the activity. 

Following the initial activity in Agusan del Sur, DA-BAR conducted another scoping and appraisal activity in Dinagat Islands on 28 June 2023. The challenges and issues on the priority commodities, (rice, lowland vegetables, corn, cassava, watermelon, and poultry) in the province were discussed.

Participating in the activity were DA-Caraga-Research Division chief, eight farmer-leaders, municipal agriculture and fisheries council chair, provincial agriculturist, and municipal agricultural program coordinating officer.