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The
primordial objective of the government’s overall rural development
program, given the increasing pace of globalization, is to modernize
the AFNR sectors. Modernization is deemed crucial in addressing
the twin goals of poverty alleviation and global competitiveness.
PCARRD’s accomplishments in 2002 were in support of this objective.
PCARRD
vigorously pursued strategic R&D programs, particularly on crop
and animal biotechnology. It pursued its various S&T anchor
programs for commodities with high economic potential. In particular,
the Council promoted the anchor program on mango.
PCARRD
continued to support the R&D efforts on increasing the sustainability
of rural development and the carrying capacity of the country’s
natural resource base. Among the efforts were on the management
of soil erosion and the ecological solid waste management (ESWM)
system for peri-urban agriculture.
PCARRD
also continued to provide decision support systems for the AFNR
sectors. Among these were the Plant Resources of South East Asia
(PROSEA) Phase III, the Mango Information Network (MIN) Phase II,
the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) database,
and the Agriculture and Natural Resources
Information Network (AGRINET).
To
harness ICT in modernizing the AFNR sectors, PCARRD continued to
enhance its ICT projects under the AGRINET program. PCARRD focused
on e-governance capability upgrade, design and development of new
information management systems, and the upgrade of its ICT facilities.
In the future, PCARRD hopes to establish the electronic interconnectivity
of the NARRDN. Toward this end, PCARRD piloted the use of real-time
video conferencing technology during the Council’s 30 th anniversary.
Through
the Techno Gabay Program, PCARRD actively pursued its commitment
to bring science-based information and technology to potential users,
particularly the small farmers and small and medium enterprises
(SMEs).
PCARRD
also continued to help in assessing the appropriateness of various
technologies for promotion and application. It conducted trainings
on the technology assessment protocol (TAP) and on the packaging
of feasibility studies and technology transfer and commercialization
(TTC)-related proposals.
PCARRD
made substantive contributions to the crafting of DOST Memorandum
Circular (MC) 001, Series of 2002 that provides for a mechanism
to operationalize intellectual property (IP) and technology management
(TM) in the DOST and the national R&D system.
To
mainstream IP and TM within the NARRDN, PCARRD packaged the guidelines
on
IP management for R&D in AFNR. The guidelines will be piloted
in four regional consortia in 2003.
PCARRD
recognizes the crucial role of the regional R&D consortia in
realizing the Council’s mandates in the regions. It provided
technical and financial support to the 14 regional consortia. Also,
PCARRD formulated new policy statements to enhance regional R&D
consortia management/ operations.
To
enhance technology management, promotion, and commercialization,
PCARRD
continued its information, education, and communication (IEC) activities
such as publication production, media linkage, educational communication,
scientific literature service, and regional applied communication.
Through
its Policy Action Group (PAG), PCARRD strengthened its biotechnology
advocacy campaigns in the regional and national levels. In 2002,
PCARRD facilitated the conduct of regional biotechnology awareness
campaigns in Regions II and X. At the national level, it conducted
a survey among DOST councils to establish the baseline data for
formulating the DOST advocacy plan for biotechnology.
PCARRD
also participated in public hearings for various proposed legislations
that have implications for S&T in the AFNR sectors. These include
the congressional bills on community IP protection, extension of
mandated financial support for AFMA, and on water and the environment.
PCARRD
produced and disseminated 50 titles, including the PCARRD Monitor,
PCARRD Farmnews, information bulletins, instructional materials,
industry situationers, and other special publications. A total of
63,940 copies of the Council’s publication lines were produced.
A total of 55,825 copies of various publications were disseminated
to various clients. PCARRD also disseminated R&D information
through the print and broadcast media. PCARRD’s own press
and photo releases were regularly distributed to major national
dailies, local newspapers, and agricultural periodicals for publication.
The
Council’s Scientific Literature Services (SLS) served 2,274
researchers as well as the NARRDN through the Regional Applied Communication
Offices (RACOs)-SLS in the regions. In addition, PCARRD’s
Regional Applied Communication Program developed modules on IEC,
digital publishing, time management, and video production. It also
packaged/developed IEC-related proposals.
In
2002, PCARRD continued to invest in developing its human resources,
both in its headquarters and the NARRDN. Fifty-two NARRDN researchers
benefited from the PCARRD scholarship program in 2002. On the other
hand, 1,081 participants gained from the nondegree trainings conducted
for the NARRDN and PCARRD. PCARRD gave S&T awards and incentives
to 13 institutions and individuals/groups who made outstanding contributions
to AFNR R&D.
Under
facilities development, PCARRD supported the construction of the
Biological
Containment Level 2 (BL2) Greenhouse at the Institute of Plant Breeding
(IPB) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
The greenhouse is intended to ensure the biological safety of the
environment while genetically modified or transgenic crops are being
evaluated. PCARRD also partly funded the construction of the forest
biotechnology laboratory at the UPLB College of Forestry and Natural
Resources.
Furthermore,
PCARRD actively tapped its international and local linkages for
resource generation to support R&D projects. In 2002, PCARRD
received external funding support amounting to P46.2 million (M),
of which about 42% was from foreign sources and 58% was from local
sources.
PCARRD
intensified its cooperation with various international agricultural
research
institutions, including the International Water Management Institute
(IWMI); the International Technical Cooperation Center (ITCC)/Rural
Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea; the Australian
Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR); the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and its member
organizations such as the International Livestock Research Institute
(ILRI) and the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry
(ICRAF). In 2002, PCARRD revived its cooperation with the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
In
2003, PCARRD shall continue to aggressively pursue S&T development
in
modernizing the AFNR sectors. PCARRD shall be steadfast and efficient
in promoting focused and sustained interventions that will lay the
foundation for the country’s global competitive edge and broad-based
agroindustrial development for food security and poverty reduction. |
