FaST strain tilapia, a viable business venture

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Oct 2, 2014 |

The FaST strain Fresh Water Aquaculture (FAC) selected tilapia also known as International Development Research Center (IDRC) strain is gaining popularity as a viable business venture. The Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Dvelopment (PCAARRD) through its Science and Technology Community –based Farm (STCBF) approach is further promoting its culture. The result of the initial cycle of hatchery operation using S&T based interventions showed an increase in fingerling production from 396,765 prices (for non-FaST operator) to 418,000 pieces of FaST fingerlings sold at 40 centavos per piece amounting to a total grow of P167,200. The FaST strain came from domesticated strains at Nile Tilapia from Israel, Singapore, Taiwan and Philippines. The strain is a product of within family selection and has undergone 34 generations of selection. This tilapia line according to PCAARRD has higher average total egg production and growth rate than other strains. The FaST strain (IDRC) was developed from a selection program under the Tilapia Genetics Project of FAC. The STBCF project assisted hatcheries and fresh farmers of Cabanatuan City and Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija and Ramon Isabela in the hatchery/production of fingerlings and grow out...

Coffee grown on highly elevated and shades has better cup quality

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Oct 2, 2014 |

Where the coffee is grown and how it is grown affect the physical and cup quality of coffee and is the basis for most specialty coffees and those branded to their origin, experts say. The Arabica variety of coffee that Mr. Osenia Lay-o grows in his 2,800 square meters farm grows favorably in cool area (17c – 24c) with high elevations (1,000 – 1,800 meters above sea level) in the Cordillera Administrative Region) and in similar areas in the Philippines. Lay-os’ introduced science and technology (S&T) interventions in his farm like shading with alnus trees and the establishment of an improvised water impounding system to provide sufficient irrigation during the dry months. Growing coffee trees under alnus shade gives higher yields, produces 16-24 berries per cluster, while these growing under other shade trees have an average of 15 berries per cluster upon maturity. Observed also are robust vegetative growth and better fruiting performance. Sagada where coffee is known as a mere backyard crop has been supplying the local market with coffee for years, from planted area of a total of 1,035,600 coffee trees with an average yield of only 0.3 kilogram of green beans per tree. Grower in Sagada can still produce more with the improvement of some traditional practice and adoption of S&T interventions. Relevant S&T based interventions including use of organic fertilizer and selection of proven varieties...

PAPI 19th Natl’ Press Congress in Cebu to focus on ASEAN Integration

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Oct 2, 2014 |

The Publishers Association of the Philippines,Inc. (PAPI) 19th National Press Congress to be held on February 19-21, 2015 at the Sacred Center along Jakosalem Avenue in Cebu City will focus on ASEAN Integration. PAPI Cebu Chapter host of the event led by Engr. Greg Sineneng, president of the chapter said that the 19th National PAPI Congress will banner the theme “Forward to ASEAN Integration.” Full integration as one economic community later next year of the 10 members countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will be observed. PAPI president Luis T. Arriola said discussion topics during the media event will revolve around the theme, particularly on how the integration of ASEAN into one common market of some 600 million consumers, will impact on, and affect the local community newspaper publishing industry. The event’s program will formally open on February 19 at 1:00 p.m. and progress on to its traditional Fellowship Night. The session on February 20 will last only up to 2:00 p.m. after which interested participants will be treated to a free tour of interesting places around Cebu City the whole afternoon. Optional tours, for a fee, will be available for interested delegates the following day, February 21, he added. PAPI Treasurer and Conference Director Nelson Santos said interested participants desiring to...

CSU holds S&T Fair Launches Food Innovation Center

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Sep 25, 2014 |

Organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with the theme “Philippines: A Science Nation Meeting Global Challenges: Cagayan State University – Carig Campus held the Northern Luzon Science and Technology (S&T) Fair in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on September 2 -4, 2014. Curious kids at the Science Education Institute Science – Explorer experienced cool science, where they showed their mettle in the S&T Quiz for both elementary and secondary levels. Science aficionados, entrepreneurs, families and individuals seeking more science excitement, exhibits, technology for trainings, and seminars were opened to the public, each one attending to the activity of his choice. The three day event gave the public a personal S&T experience and increase awareness on the country’s drive towards being a science nation as it raise science-oriented citizens. Another Food Innovation Center, the second of such facility in the country and first in Luzon was featured and launched during the first day of the Fair. Just like the first Center launched in Davao City on May 2014, the Cagayan-based Center, will serve as hub for innovations and provide technical support for the food industry, aiming to transform concepts into products. Other activities included in the Fair were the Information Education Communication (IEC) on technologies, sports fest and seminar-workshop on weather information for broadcasters. The Cagayan FIC is envisioned to help transform the...

General Protocol for Area-wide control of Cocolisap

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Aug 28, 2014 |

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Coconut Scale Insect (CSI) also known as cocolisap was first sighted in Tanauan, Batangas in 2010, affecting 4 provinces and 87 municipalities, to date, ranging from mild to moderate to heavy. Due to the widespread infestation in the CALABARZON area, an emergency plan was mandated through Executive Order 169 Establishing Emergency Measures to Control and Manage the Spread and Damage of Aspidiotus rigidus in the Philippines and Designating the Philippine Coconut Authority as the Lead Agency for the Purpose signed by President Aquino on June 5, 2014 at Malacanang Palace, City of Manila. It is estimated that an infested tree, depending on the degree of infestation, can have approximately 1M CSI. Based on modeling from literature search, (Pangga, I.B., 2014) 1000 CSI can multiply to about 200,000 in 45 days (less about 13% natural death). PCA has done pruning, organic spraying (cochin), and detergent spraying since 2010 in sporadic manner and localized in certain area. These interventions did not successfully control infestation. To control the infestation within a tree as well as the spread to neighboring trees/regions, a set of emergency, area-wide emergency control interventions should be put in place. Based on several researches conducted by PCA, UPLB, and UP Diliman researchers funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), a council of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a...

800 Filipino lives lost everyday, 30 every hour due to “silent disaster”

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Aug 25, 2014 |

In the Philippines, Dans said “no epidemic, no tsunami, no earthquake comes close” to the 800 daily deaths from non-communicable disease (NCDs) “It is a disease of the young” he said.Academician Antonio Miguel L. Dans, focal person and member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) raised the alarm on the NCDs in his paper presented “Introduction to Non-Communicable Diseases.” NAST President Academician William G. Padolina cited the “quite alarming…tens of millions” deaths worldwide, considering a World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2008 alone. “The Deaths” registered occurred before the age of 60, the most productive period in our lives,” he said. The NCD’s figure continues to rise, with the low – and – middle – income countries having the most number of cases, he added. The epidemic of NCD such as stroke, heart disease, chronic obstruction pulmonary disease and cancer among others was discussed with experts and the five national scientists during the Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Health Beyond Health Care: Changing the Mindset for the control of NCDs. The RTD which tackled the extent of the health problem, its causes, and how to prevent them, was conducted by Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST), National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on August 19, 2014 at Hyatt Hotel Manila. Our country is confronted with the NCDs epidemic that the scientific community has failed to anticipate...

NSTW Presents NAST 2014 Awardees

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Aug 23, 2014 |

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) presented the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) awardees at the DOST 2014 NSTW on July 25 (2nd day of the 5-day NSTW) held at the SMX Convention, Mall of Asia (MOA), Pasay City. The awards and awardees are the following: *Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research (Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal): Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Ph.D., Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Science and the Graduate School, University of Sto. Thomas, in recognition of his pioneering research on “Molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revision of the Philippine endemic Villaria Rolfe (Rubiaceae)” which established the classification of the little known Rubiaceae genus Villaria through molecular markers and documented the morphology and conservation status of all its species including a novel species Villarialeytensis. Dr. Eduardo A. Quisumbing was an outstanding botanist, orchidologist, administrator, conservationist, curator, science writer, and educator. He has studied many Philippine plants and published them. He was also the Father of Philippine Orchidology and a conservationist of the Philippine Herbarium. *Outstanding Research and Development Award for Applied Research (Julian A. Banzon Medal): Rhodora V. Azanza, Ph.D., Marine Science Institute, UP Diliman, in recognition of her outstanding research leadership on the program “Detection and Mitigation of Technology and Early Warning System for Philippine Harmful Algal Blossoms (HABTech) and Molecular Studies of HAB Causative Organisms and...

PCAARRD Recommends Farm Practices for Chicken during Extended dry spell

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Jul 24, 2014 |

The low water supply as a result of the dry season in the country officially declared by the Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) this year, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources, Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) offers science and technology (S&T) options for poultry and livestock raisers. S&T options are drought resistance and drought avoidance strategies to mitigate the effect of inadequate water supply from the dry period. A hot environment can cause discomfort and stress in farm animals which commonly reduced productivity or mortality. Stress, in general, can lower the animals’ resistance or immune competence, thus making them more susceptible to diseases. An animal that is under stress will perform poorly-less gain in weight, lower milk production, lower egg production, or higher incidence of reproductive failures as the case may be. Farmers cannot do much about long periods of dry spell except to relieve the animals from the extremely hot weather. The following are practical tips that animal raisers can do to reduce the negative effects of heat stress for chicken. • Provide cool drinking water at all times to prevent dehydration and to help them regulate body temperature. •Allow maximum air circulation or ventilation inside the house and pens. •Insulate galvanized iron (GI) roofing with appropriate...

First drought tolerant peanut variety available in the country

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Jul 20, 2014 |

Early El Nino phenomenon this year was warned by the experts of climate since drought is a global issue, scientists from worldwide are developing strategies to predict and mitigate its impact. Researchers at the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) funded “Peanut Seed Security Support Program in Region 2” were able to identify a drought tolerant peanut variety. Since drought and hot temperature are usually experienced in Cagayan Valley, researchers conducted several field trials on some selected peanut varieties in the said area and also addressed the farmers’ want and need for improved and drought tolerant varieties. The research team identified and recommended the ICGV 95390 as the first drought tolerant peanut variety in the Philippines, commercially known as G.D Lasam PRIDE, earlier registered with the National Seed Industry Council as NSIC Pn 17. The program team also developed a package of technology for confectionary varieties and wet season production aside from identifying G.D. Lasam PRIDE as the country’s first peanut variety that is tolerant –to drought. During dry season, G.D. Lasam PRIDE has a bean yield of 1,711 kilograms per hectare, pod yield of 2,182 kilograms per hectare, and shelling recovery of 72.5 percent. Its high yield makes it desirable for production. G.D. Lasam has large, pink seeds that...

NAST Awards Twelve Outstanding Young Scientists

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Jul 20, 2014 |

The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NASTPhil) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) awarded twelve Outstanding Young Scientists (OYS) during its 86th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) on June 9-10, 2014 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila. Part of the two-day programs were the recognition ceremonies for the following awards: OYS, NAST Environmental Award, TWAS Prize for Young Scientists in the Philippines, NAST Talent Search for Young Scientists, Outstanding Books and Monograph, Outstanding Scientific Papers, and Best Scientific Poster Award. The awarded OYS were Glenn Banaguas, Masteral in Environmental Management, De La Salle, Araneta University; Rommel C. Sulabo, Ph. D. Animal Science, University of the Philippines, Los Banos; Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Ph.D., Genetics, University of the Philippines, Diliman; Karl Marx A. Quiazon, Ph.D., Aquatic Biosciences, Central Luzon State University; Richard S. Lemence, Ph.D., Mathematics, University of the Philippines Diliman; May T. Lim, Ph.D., Applied Physics, University of the Philippines Diliman; Jessie Pascual P. Bitog, Ph.D., Agricultural and Rural System Engineering, Nueva Viscaya State University; Rhoda B. Leron, Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Mapua Institute of Technology; Paolo Antonio S. Silva, M.D, Ophthalmology University of the Philippines Manila; John Mark S, Velasco, M.D., Public Health, AFP Medical Center; Geoffrey M. Decones, Ph.D., Economics, University of the Philippines Diliman; Analyn Salvador-Amores, Ph.D., Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of the Philippines Baguio. TWAS PRIZE Young Scientists in the...

Author: Estrella Gallardo