News

AgriCoolTour 2024 of the Rizal Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (RARES) was led by Undersecretary for DA Inspectorate and Enforcement Atty. Alvin John Balagbag, representing DA Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., along with DA-Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Fidel Libao on November 22 in Tanay, Rizal.

The AgriCoolTour event aimed to showcase the innovative programs and technologies developed by RARES, including organic fertilizer production, rice paddy art, strawberry cultivation, corn and sweet potato farming, and digital farming through the Smart Greenhouse Project, among others.

The initiative also sought to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and local government units, while disseminating valuable information to stakeholders and clients.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of key facilities, including the Greenhouse with Hydroponics, Staff House, and Common Comfort Room. These facilities were turned over to beneficiaries, including the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Tanay, the Marikina Watershed Kaysakat Association Incorporated, and Rizal National High School, in partnership with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

The event was attended by 2nd District Rizal Representative Hon. Emigdio Tanjuatco III, Tanay Mayor Hon. Rafael Tanjuatco, BPI Assistant Director Dr. Hermilinda Gabertan, OIC-RTD for Operations and Extension Engr. Redelliza Gruezo, RARES OIC-Agricultural Center Chief Alexandra Jamoralin, and other officials from the Department of Agriculture and local government units.

From November 13 to 15, 2024, ARANGKADA TBI CALABARZON hosted the Knowledge & Innovations Transformed into Agribusiness Technology Business Incubation (KITA 10 TBI) team from DA RFO X for a benchmarking event. The goal of this initiative was to share best practices, operational insights, and strategies that have helped ARANGKADA TBI CALABARZON support the growth of agribusinesses in the region through technology commercialization. The event provided the KITA 10 team with a hands-on look at how ARANGKADA TBI CALABARZON nurtures farmers and helps them become agripreneurs.

The visit began with a warm welcome from DA RFO 4A and a guided tour of ARANGKADA TBI CALABARZON’s support facilities at DA-LARES in Lipa City, including the post-harvest and food processing facility. TBI Manager Joseph Paulo L. Silva led an orientation on the operations of TBI CALABARZON, allowing participants to share experiences on setting up and managing a TBI. The session was attended by Ms. Editha M. Salvosa, Regional Technical Director for Research, Regulations, and ILD; Project Leader Dr. Dario M. Huelgas; and other key project members, all of whom participated in productive discussions. The team also met with Regional Executive Director Fidel L. Libao to discuss the role of research and development in improving production and marketability for priority commodities.

On the second day, the KITA 10 team visited Batangas State University (BatStateU) - Lipa Campus, where they met with Chancellor Atty. Alvin R. De Silva and Dr. Francis G. Balazon. The discussions focused on BatStateU-Lipa’s partnership with DA RFO 4A in implementing the TBI program and exploring opportunities for further collaboration in agribusiness development and innovation. The team then visited the food processing operations of TBI incubatee Woody Bags Mushroom Farm, run by Ruel and Jade Calingasan, to observe the preparation of their mushroom sisig base, which is currently in the process of FDA registration. The day concluded with a session led by Ginalyn D. Bocaya, Science Research Specialist II, who provided valuable insights into FDA licensing procedures, helping the KITA 10 team move closer to their own facilities’ licensing goals.

Researchers from the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 4A (DA RFO 4A) earned top awards at the 2024 National Research Symposium by the DA Bureau of Agricultural Research last October 8 and 9 at the National Food Authority Multipurpose Hall in Quezon City. The symposium, themed “Research-Driven Innovations: Utilizing R4D to Ensure Food Security and Climate Resiliency,” recognized innovative research addressing key agricultural challenges.

From 142 research paper entries, DA-CALABARZON researchers stood out in two major categories: Technology Generation and Policy and Socio-Economics Research.

Dr. Orlando A. Calcetas of DA RFO 4A-Regional Crop Protection Center and his team won a citation award and the Best R&D Paper – Bronze Award in the Technology Generation category for his research titled “Integrated Management of Sineguelas Leaf Beetle (Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.)) (Chrysomelidae: Alticini): An Emerging and Invasive Pest Threat to Fruit Trees in the Philippines.” His study offers vital pest management solutions for Sineguelas, a top fruit crop produced in the region, ensuring improved crop protection and sustainability.

In addition, the research paper “Conserving the Past, Securing the Future: Harnessing the Potential of Traditional Corn in Region IV – CALABARZON”— by Jane Vanessa D. Yamido, Virgilia D. Arellano, Cynthia D. Leycano, Aillen Mae A. Jarina, Alexander Ivan Gil K. Tuazon, Reagan A. Tamildes, Carlo T. Panganiban, and Joshua F. Pasildo of Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station — received a Citation Award in the Technology Generation category. The study highlights the value of traditional corn varieties for food security and climate resilience.

A Citation Award for Policy and Socio-Economics Research category was also given to the research “Diversified Farming and Enhanced Support Systems: Boosting Productivity and Resilience of Coconut Farmers in Majayjay, Laguna”, authored by Girsky V. Anda, Maria Riza G. Panopio, Aida P. Luistro, Cynthia D. Leycano, and Ronilo D. Villabroza of the Research Division. This paper focuses on improving the productivity and resilience of coconut farmers through diversified farming systems and enhanced support mechanisms.

These awards underscore DA RFO 4A’s commitment to advancing research-driven innovations for food security and climate resiliency in Philippine agriculture.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Agriculture CALABARZON (DA CALABARZON) and Batangas State University (BatStateU) – The National Engineering University (TNEU) – Lipa Campus was formally signed on September 9, 2024. The signing took place at the R&D Building Multipurpose Conference Room, aiming to enhance research, innovation, and agricultural development in the region under the ARANGKADA TBI CALABARZON program.

The MOU seeks to formalize the existing partnership between DA CALABARZON - Research Division - Technology Business Incubation program and BatStateU-TNEU, particularly in projects supporting farmers and agripreneurs. It focuses on providing assistance through the dissemination of technologies, utilization of facilities, and sharing of expertise between the two institutions. Through TBI program, Agripreneurs will have improved access to mature technologies, Capacity training, and resources essential for enhancing agricultural productivity and promoting agripreneurship in rural areas.

Both DA CALABARZON OIC-Regional Executive Director Fidel Libao and BatSU-TNEU-Lipa Campus Chancellor Atty. Alvin R. De Silva emphasized the importance of cooperation between the department and the academe in advancing agri-preneurship and ensuring the development of rural communities in the region.

The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-CALABARZON recently held its Regional In-House Review of research projects completed in the previous year. This event marked the first face-to-face review and evaluation of research since the COVID-19 pandemic and was organized and facilitated by the Research Division.

This annual activity aims to ensure that research efforts align with regional priorities, are practicable within local circumstances, and contribute meaningfully to the region's overall growth. Additionally, the event showcased and highlighted projects deemed adoptable, timely, and innovative for farmers in CALABARZON.

Held on July 30, 2024, at Argosino Hall, DA IV-A, LARES Compound, Lipa City, the event was attended by 80 individuals, including researchers, representatives from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, and members of the Regional and Provincial Agriculture and Fishery Councils (RAFC/PAFC) from the five provinces of CALABARZON. Also in attendance were technical personnel from the DA IV-A Field Operations Division and Banner Programs. Research Division Chief Eduardo Lalas welcomed the participants, and OIC-Regional Executive Director Fidel Libao delivered a brief message during the opening program.

The panel of evaluators included Ms. Julia Lapiatan, OIC-Head of the Program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Linkaging Division of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research; Dr. Rosenda Amparo Bronce, Director for Research and Development at Batangas State University; and Dr. Juanita T. San Jose, Dean of the College of Agriculture at Southern Luzon State University.

The research paper titled “Integrated Management of Sineguelas Leaf Beetle (Podontia quatuordecimpunctata (L.)) (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae): An Introduced and Emerging Pest of Sineguelas (Spondias purpurea Blanco) in Batangas,” presented by Dr. Orlando Calcetas of the Regional Crop Protection Center, won the Best Paper Award. Other notable papers presented at the event included: (1) “Verification on the Efficacy of Bio-Organic Fertilizer on Pineapple Production in Cavite” by Ms. Vilma Mojica (DA-Cavite Agricultural Research and Experiment Station); (2) “Expanded Collection, Conservation, and Evaluation of Traditional Corn Towards Development of Improved Varieties in Region IV-CALABARZON” by Ms. Jane Vanessa Yamido; (3) “NextGen: Market-Driven Varietal Testing and Validation for Effective Positioning of Varieties in Target Rice Ecosystems and Seed Chains in CALABARZON” by Ms. Joy Priol (DA-Lipa Agricultural Research and Experiment Station); and (4) “Yamang Lupa: Sustainable Community-Based Action R4DE for Livelihood Enhancement, Upliftment, and Prosperity (YL: SCALE UP) Program in Quezon” by Dr. Dario Huelgas (Research Division). 

The research technical staff of the Department of Agriculture-Region IV-CALABARZON, from its Research Division, and research and experiment stations from Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, completed a three-day training on research proposal writing held on June 18-20, 2024 at OARDC, Lipa City, Batangas.

The training was one of the capacity-enhancing activities lined-up to further improve the technical efficiency of researchers and was part of the project funded by the Regional Rice Banner Program. This three-day activity was spearheaded by Research Division and facilitated by Ms. Aida P. Luistro, Supervising Science Research Specialist, and Ms. Daisynette D. Manalo, Senior Science Research Specialist.

Dr. Lilibeth P. Novicio, Professor VI and Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Natural Resources (CAFENR) of Cavite State University (CvSU), served as the training's resource speaker. This initiative of enhancing the researchers' technical skills in terms of research proposal writing aimed to equip them on packaging science-based and feasible mainstream or downstream researches.

On the first day, the topics discussed were about understanding the basics, introduction, conceptualizing, and mechanics of writing research and development (R&D) proposals. Moreover, open access literature and citation index databases, and steps in citing and organizing literature were also discussed. This was concluded by workshops on identifying and conceptualizing R&D agenda to be addressed, general and specific research problems, title of R&D proposal, objectives, and mini literature review search.

Ms. Monina Dyan R. Elumba, Instructor I and plant pathologist from CvSU, presented her research paper about papaya leaf curl disease on the second day and this provided the participants an overview of how research study was conducted. On the same day, participants started to conceptualize the theoretical or conceptual frameworks of their proposed projects/studies, as well as packaging its detailed research proposal.

On the last day of the training, representatives from each research and experiment station presented detailed research proposals, which were evaluated by Dr. Novicio, senior staff from Research Division, and station heads. The research proposals presented were about rice by-product processing, economic viability and impact assessment of solar- powered irrigation system (SPIS) in high value crop production, integration of stingless bees in urban vegetable production, outscaling of banana-based farming system, cacao productivity enhancement, sahing and pili oil production, and vegetable production through conservation agriculture.

Dr. Novicio was able to check participants' individual workshop outputs and did mentoring to improve those outputs. She also pointed out the importance of knowing the research and experimental designs, and data analysis to use in their proposed studies. Aside from technical knowledge, attitude towards work plays a vital role in the implementation of a research study/project. Thus, passion, dedication, and commitment should be possessed by researchers while doing their respective works.

The three-day activity was graced by Dr. Linda M. Lucela, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, and Dr. Eduardo R. Lalas, Research Division Chief. Both of them emphasized that this training was very much needed to capacitate the region's new generation of researchers. They were also looking forward that the participants will always come up with studies and projects that will help the farmers in terms of addressing their problems and increasing productivity.

As the training concluded, the participants gave their impressions and feedback and were grateful to Dr. Novicio's eagerness and willingness to share her insights and expertise. For the 31 research staff who participated in the training, it was not easy and led them to figure out what has to be improved. However, it provided them opportunity to be equipped with technical knowledge that will be further nurtured as they immersed themselves in the field of agricultural research and development.