An indoor farm using artificial lighting for growing leafy vegetables was developed at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). The Sustainable Indoor Farm for Growing Leafy Vegetables using Artificial Lighting (SIGLA) is a modular, weatherproof vertical farm developed to promote urban agriculture. It aims to increase access to high-value leafy vegetables in industrial and urban areas.

“This facility is more than just a space for growing food; it is a living proof of how vertical farming can revolutionize our approach to food production,” said Dr. Ronaldo B. Saludes, project leader of SIGLA.

UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho expressed his support for the project. According to him, “the SIGLA Modular Farm stands as a shining example of sustainable indoor farming, equipped with advanced technologies, controlled environment systems, and energy-efficient lighting.” 

According to Dr. Saludes, plants grown in indoor vertical farms need essential resources such as water, carbon dioxide, light, nutrients, and electricity. The sustainability and efficiency of the production system are based on the assessment of the resource use efficiency, economic viability, and carbon footprint.

Some of the leafy greens grown as part of the cropping trials were Batavia Jonction lettuce, Lalique Crystal lettuce, Lollo Rosso (red) lettuce, Arugula, Swiss chard, Mizuna, and Kale. The SIGLA Modular Farm at UPLB will serve as a demonstration site for the establishment of community-based indoor vertical farms with integrated solar panels. 

Currently, the UPLB project team is conducting a resource-use efficiency analysis to determine how the SIGLA modular farm effectively utilizes its resources, such as water, energy light, crop nutrients, and land surface. A carbon footprint and cost-benefit analysis are also underway.

The design and development of SIGLA was made possible through the funding support of the Philippines-Korea Joint Research Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Improvements to the design and operation of SIGLA were also supplemented through a benchmarking activity of commercial modular farms in the Philippines and South Korea and cropping trials of selected high-value leafy greens.

In addition, the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development  (DOST-PCAARRD) provided the performance and testing of the project. 

Investing in indoor vertical farming can help address food insecurity, especially in urban areas. In a message, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora says that ‘DOST-PCAARRD recognizes the potential of this technology in offering a sustainable and environment-friendly solution for production.’

With the growing climate risks affecting the livelihood of the local communities in Maguindanao, a project was launched to enhance climate resiliency through the establishment of native tree and fruit tree-based agroforestry farms in barren and sloping areas.

In partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños - Institute of Agroforestry (UPLB-IAF), the project, “Enhancing Climate Resilience through Native Tree and Fruit Tree-based Agroforestry Technology: A Science and Technology-Based Initiative for Emergencies and Hazards in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao,” is being implemented by the Mindanao State University (MSU). It is being funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

Key stakeholders including MSU officials, faculty, staff, and students from MSU Maguindanao, MSU Naawan, and MSU Buug gathered during the project launch at MSU Maguindanao.

During her welcome remarks, MSU Maguindanao Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Raquel D. Santiago-Arenas emphasized the project’s significance. “This project is a milestone for MSU Maguindanao as it not only addresses climate change but also strengthens the university’s commitment to science and technology-driven solutions for community resilience,” she stated.

Project Leader Rowena C. Benavides provided an overview of the project. She highlighted its goal of preventing disasters in sloping and barren lands through strategic agroforestry interventions. “This initiative under DOST-PCAARRD’s SAFE (S&T Action Frontline for Emergencies and Hazards) modality will integrate science-based approaches to promote sustainable agroforestry practices. More than addressing climate change, we aim to improve community livelihoods through these interventions,” she said.

Several key officials of the town also delivered messages expressing their gratitude and support for the project as well as its alignment with the local government’s environmental priorities. These further emphasized the project’s relevance to local governance and environmental conservation.

For. Judy B. Angkad of the Provincial Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office also expressed her optimism in inspiring other areas in Mindanao to conduct similar efforts. “We hope that this project serves as a model for other LGUs to implement science-based approaches in environmental conservation,” she said.

Following the project launch, the training on Agroforestry Establishment and Development was conducted by UPLB-IAF, equipping participants with the skills and knowledge to implement agroforestry projects effectively. The training focused on the Agroforestry Land Capability Assessment and Mapping Scheme (ALCAMS), an essential tool for evaluating land suitability for agroforestry.

On-site training in Barangay Nalkan, Datu Blah Sinsuat provided participants with practical experience in agroforestry site assessment, which covered key aspects including construction and use of equipment for contour mapping crucial for soil and water conservation, observation of existing land use and slope determination for agroforestry planning, and soil fertility assessment using a soil test kit to evaluate nutrient levels and pH balance.

The participants also developed their re-entry action plans, which outlined strategies for applying agroforestry techniques in their respective areas. Through the training, participants were provided a deeper understanding of land assessment, agroforestry planning, and climate resilience strategies.

This initiative marks a significant step in integrating science-based agroforestry practices into local climate resilience strategies. The collaboration among DOST-PCAARRD, MSU Maguindanao, and UPLB-IAF underscores the power of science, technology, and community engagement in mitigating environmental hazards while fostering sustainable livelihoods.

In observance of the International Women’s Month, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) proudly recognizes the achievements of the empowered alumni of the Graduate Research and Education Assistantship for Technology (GREAT) program. These remarkable women are driving innovation and making significant contributions to the AANR sector, embodying the spirit of the sub-theme of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC): “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.”

Established in 2017, the GREAT program has fostered female leadership in AANR research by providing technical and financial support to 57 female scholars.

Dr. Katrina S. Luzon, Coral Biologist 

Dr. Katrina S. Luzon is a Coral Biologist and a researcher at De La Salle University's Br. Alfred Shields Ocean Research (SHORE) Center. She is also part of the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. Under the GREAT Scholarship Program, she earned her doctoral degree in Biology in 2023.

Her dissertation, "Exceptional Reefs of Palawan: Anthropogenic Extinction, Reef Refuge Areas Under Climate Change, and Priority Species for Conservation," identified key coral species and reef areas vulnerable to environmental pressures, emphasizing those requiring urgent protection. 

She is the editor-in-chief of "A Handbook of Protocols for the Conduct of Reef Assessments in the Philippines," which received the National Academy of Science and Technology Outstanding Book Award in 2024. Funded through a DOST-PCAARRD project, the handbook provides essential guidelines for reef assessments in the Philippines.

Blair Ann L. Adora, Agricultural Research Specialist

Ms. Blair Ann L. Adora is a Senior Science Research Specialist at the Department of Agriculture-Region 9. She is leading the agency's mango research initiatives as the Station Superintendent. In December 2019, she earned her Master of Science (MS) degree in Plant Pathology at the University of the Philippines Los Baños through the GREAT Scholarship Program. She specializes in the identification and management of fungal diseases among rubber tree leaves that are grown outside common rubber-producing regions.

A pioneering GREAT alumna, Ms. Adora is the recipient of the first GREAT re-entry grant in 2022. Her research, "Management of White Root Rot using Endophytic fungi from the Healthy Roots of Rubber," garnered her the Best Research Paper award at the DOST in-house review in 2024. She was further recognized with the Best Paper award under the Research Category at the 2024 Regional Symposium on Research and Development Highlights in Zamboanga City.

Dr. Ronalie Rafael, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Ronalie B. Rafael is an Associate Professor V at the College of Veterinary Science and Medicine of the Central Luzon State University. Through the GREAT Scholarship Program, she took a MS in Veterinary Medicine, major in Microbiology at UPLB to further her expertise. She focused on developing wet and dry format RT-LAMP assays for the detection of Philippine Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV) field strains. 

Dr. Rafael's GREAT re-entry project, "Pre-commercialization of Probiotics and Prebiotics from Onion Wastes for Tilapia Culture," demonstrated her commitment to sustainable agriculture by transforming onion waste into valuable probiotics and prebiotics that enhance tilapia production and expand their use in other animal species. 

In February 2024, she was elected as the Chairperson of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association’s (PVMA) Council on Continuing Professional Education during the 91st PVMA National Convention and Scientific Conference. She also holds the post as secretary of the Veterinary Education Research, one of the working groups of the Asian Association of Veterinary Schools.

Dr. Rafael is currently pursuing a PhD in Veterinary Science at Chiang Mai University in Thailand, under the DOST-Science Education Institute’s Foreign Graduate Scholarship Program.

Nadine B. Coronado, Plant Physiologist and Conservation Specialist

Ms. Nadine B. Coronado is an advocate of plant conservation with her notable contribution in the maintenance of Zingiberaceae accessions at the Institute of Crop Science field genebank and the conservation of priority species within the ecologically critical Samar Island Natural Park. She is a proud faculty member of the Institute of Biological Sciences at UPLB.

She earned her Master’s degree in Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Management in January 2023 under the GREAT Scholarship Program. Her outstanding academic achievement was recognized with the Academic Excellence Award, which was presented to the MS graduate who achieved the highest grade weighted average among all graduates of the UPLB Graduate School.

Ms. Coronado's MS degree research, "Phenotypic and Genotypic Profiling of Selected Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) Morphotypes from the Philippines," significantly advanced the understanding and utilization of turmeric. By characterizing and evaluating various turmeric morphotypes, she identified potential germplasm with high yield and curcumin content, contributing valuable insights for medicine, economics, and ethnobotany.

Dara Clarisse Mae L. Barile, Development Communicator

Ms. Dara Clarisse Mae L. Barile advances AANR through the art and science of communication. She is an Assistant Professor at the UPLB College of Development Communication. Her research interests include agricultural communication, communication for animal welfare, and media studies for development. She finished her Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (DevCom) as Cum Laude.

The GREAT Scholarship Program supported her in finishing her MS in Development Communication in January 2024. She is also a recipient of the UPLB Academic Achievement Award. 

Her master's dissertation, “Factors Predicting Intention to Participate in Communication Capacity Building in Agriculture 4.0 in Selected Research and Development Organizations in the Philippines,” determined the factors affecting the behavioral intention of information staff in selected Research and Development Organizations in the Philippines to participate in communication capacity building on the use of advanced technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence [AI], the Internet of Things [IoT], robotics, drones, big data, and precision farming) in agriculture.

The GREAT Program boasts of more GREAT women scholars and alumni. The women featured are just a peek of what is in store. As the program flourishes, we look forward to nurturing more GREAT female scientists and researchers who will advance the AANR sector.

Entrepreneurship is crucial in driving economic growth and fostering innovation in the agriculture and aquatic sectors. As market demands evolve, agribusiness stakeholders must adapt by developing the right skills and mindset. Capacity-building programs help small agribusinesses become more competitive by giving people and organizations the tools to overcome challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.

One such initiative is the ‘Diskartepreneur’ – an annual training program that aims to sharpen the skills of entrepreneurs in the agriculture and aquatic sectors. The five-day training covered Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PECs), design thinking and innovation, marketing strategies, and business operations. 

Diskartepreneur focuses on the concept of design thinking, offering the participants a new approach to product development, focusing first on the needs of their target market. Throughout the training, the participants worked in groups, prompting each member to lean into their strengths, generate innovative ideas, and work collaboratively towards achieving their goals. 

For its third run, Diskartepreneur has brought together 25 participants from eight institutions from Laguna, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Pampanga, and Metro Manila. They are agricultural producers, extension workers, and agribusiness development partners.

As part of the training challenge, each group developed a product for a specific persona with a challenge: the product must utilize any part of the banana plant as one of its ingredients. The teams showcased their creativity by producing unique prototypes such as ‘sisig,’ ‘tanghulu,’ chips, and various chilled treats. 

Recognizing the significance of regulatory compliance, Diskartepreneur also partnered with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to provide insights on business registration and taxation—essential knowledge for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) aiming to access larger markets.

As part of the training program, the participants joined and sold their products at the UPLB Christmas Bazaar. This hands-on experience allowed them to apply their learning in production, marketing, finance, and human resources. 

​​Diskartepreneur is a program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), led by its Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD). It is conducted in partnership with the Department of Agribusiness Management and Entrepreneurship of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-DAME) and spearheaded by the Agri-Aqua Business Hub (AABH).