The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has partnered with the Intellectual Property (IP) Collegium to host the seminar, “Matching Intellectual Property (IP) and Technology with Environmental Challenges in Agri-Aqua,” in Los Baños, Laguna. The collaboration emphasized the significance of IP and technology transfer in bringing solutions for the agriculture and aquatic (agri-aqua) sectors. 

DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora emphasized the significance of technology transfer in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the Philippine agricultural sector.

The seminar brought together experts and stakeholders to explore the relationship among IP, technology, and the agri-aqua sectors. The topics discussed were: synecoculture, marine pollution and waste management, and matching technology to environmental challenges. 

Sony Group Corporation’s IP Analyst, Ms. Naomi Shoji, talked about Sony’s commitment to sustainability. “Sony has been focusing on material sustainability, technology for sustainability, and community contribution,” Shoji said. She also highlighted several of Sony’s sustainability initiatives, including production of eco-friendly products, development of hearing aids, and environmental restoration projects.

RPX Asia Corporation’s Senior Business Development Advisor Yuichi Kawamura, discussed marine pollution and waste management, where he presented a collaborative project between the Japanese Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) and the University of West Indies (UWI) based in the Caribbean. The project aims to develop sustainable solutions for plastic waste management including incineration, recycling, and bio-based alternatives.

Meanwhile, Graymatics’ Business Development Lead, Ms. Rahab Wangui Mureithi, talked about technology transfer in Kenya and updates from IP Collegium officers, such as: advanced solutions for water purification, real-time monitoring, and efficient resource management targeted at improving water availability and quality. She also emphasized the importance of collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders in developing and implementing effective strategies to address these challenges.

DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development (RD) Juanito T. Batalon thanked the IP Collegium delegates for sharing their expertise and encouraged everyone to remain dedicated to exploring and practicing science and technology (S&T) and IP-related ventures.

The seminar brought together 53 participants from Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubators (ATBI) and their incubatees, Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) Offices of the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Cavite State University (CvSU), and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). Farmer groups such as the Association of Safe Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Los Baños, Barangay Bucal Vegetable Planters Association, and the Majayjay Organic Farmers Association also took part in the event.

DOST-PCAARRD continuously collaborates with various agencies and organizations towards successful partnerships in agri-aqua-related technology transfer initiatives.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) strengthened its support for ornamental and medicinal plants research and development (R&D) during a recently held meeting with the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Plant Industry’s (DA-BPI) National Seed Industry Council (NSIC) and industry experts.

The Philippine ornamental plants industry presents promising avenues for commercial production while the medicinal plants remain largely untapped. Recognizing these opportunities, NSIC’s Ornamental and Medicinal Plants Varietal Improvement Group (VIG) gathered the researchers and industry experts as part of NSIC’s continuing commitment to formulate and institutionalize varietal evaluation and registration of various commodities in the Philippines. 

The meeting was co-hosted by DOST-PCAARRD, DA-BPI, and the Institute of Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB-CAFS-IPB).

DOST-PCAARRD’s Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina served as the meeting’s resource speaker and presented the significant strides in ornamental and medicinal plants R&D through the ongoing and completed projects anchored with the Council’s Industry Strategic Science and Technology (S&T) Program (ISP). 

Among these accomplishments are newly registered hoya and hibiscus varieties, characterization of putative Alocasia mutants for further generation advancement, discovery of ‘lagundi’ species native to the Philippines, identification of promising medicinal plant accessions, development of a low-cost DNA extraction method, and the implementation of technology transfer, capacity-building, and policy analysis initiatives.

Dr. Cecilia C. Almontero of the Institute of Crop Science (ICropS), CAFS-UPLB expressed her gratitude to DOST-PCAARRD on behalf of the agriculture students who completed their undergraduate studies through the grants and support provided by the Council. 

“These students are the future workers, researchers, and scientists of the sector and we shall help them see that research is indeed inviting by providing them with a conducive environment in doing their thesis and other research activities,” Dir. Pelegrina said, recognizing the role of manpower development in reviving the ornamental and medicinal plants industries.   

Meanwhile, outgoing VIG Chair and Scientist Fernando B. Aurigue emphasized the timely recognition of the different medicinal plant varieties, marking the group’s first engagement in their varietal registration. 

The draft general guidelines for the evaluation and registration of medicinal plants is one of the key outputs of the meeting, reviewed and polished by the VIG members.

Also present in the meeting were DOST-PCAARRD’s ISP Manager for Ornamental and Medicinal Plants Kimberly Zarah B. Locsin and Ms. Ercieline A. De Torres from CRD.

The participants also visited the Microgrow Garden owned by Ms. Anna Maria G. Valenzuela, a DOST-PCAARRD collaborator on ornamental plants. This visit provided insights into the industry’s landscape from a private sector perspective.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) continues to advance its policy analysis and advocacy initiatives by conducting a benchmarking activity in the United Kingdom in December 2024. The visit aimed to study the UK's best practices in policy nudging and other innovative policy analysis and advocacy tools  that can be applied in the Philippines' agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector.

The activity was a collaboration between DOST-PCAARRD and the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIPLab), one of DOST-PCAARRD's partners in policy analysis and advocacy research in AANR. Ms. Monica B. Castillo of the Socio-Economics Research Division, represented DOST-PCAARRD and Ms. Karen S. Janiya of the College of Public Affairs and Development, represented the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Policy nudging refers to using subtle, non-coercive interventions to influence people's behavior predictably without restricting their choices or significantly altering economic incentives. It is a way for governments and institutions to gently encourage people to make better decisions without imposing strict regulations or penalties. Instead, nudging changes how choices are presented, making the best option more appealing. Many countries have widely used this approach in their program and policy implementations. The Council views it as a promising tool in addressing pressing issues in the Philippine AANR sector.

The benchmarking included visits to three prominent UK institutions known for innovative policy methods: Policy Lab, the El-Erian Institute of Behavioral Economics and Policy at the University of Cambridge, and the UK Behavioral Insights Team (BIT). Each institution provided valuable insights into innovative tools and approaches in policymaking.

At Policy Lab, the Philippine benchmarking team explored multidisciplinary approaches to policy development, including participatory and people-centred methods. The lab shared 11 experimental methodologies, such as superforecasting, serious games, legislative theatre, and digital twins, designed to improve policy design and implementation. These methods enable citizens and stakeholders to contribute to policy in meaningful and impactful ways. Policy Lab is a multidisciplinary government unit that aims to improve policymaking through design, innovation, and people-centred approaches.

Meanwhile, the discussion at the University of Cambridge's El-Erian Institute of Behavioral Economics and Policy focused on behavioral approaches to environmental and agricultural problems and policies in the Philippines. Professor Reisch of the University of Cambridge and Professor Cass Sunstein of Harvard Law School shared their insights on the pressing issues of the Philippine agricultural sector, such as the youth's disinterest and disengagement in agriculture, aging farmers, and low adoption of technologies. They discussed possible nudging initiatives that can be done to address the issues.

At the UK Behavioral Insights Team (UK BIT), the Philippine benchmarking team learned about applying behavioral insights in public policy. BIT shared its TESTS methodology (Target, Explore, Solution, Trial, Scale) and EAST framework (Easy, Attractive, Social, Timely), providing structured approaches to integrating behavioral science into policy making. They also presented case studies highlighting the importance of nudging in promoting sustainable agricultural practices, improving resource efficiency, and encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors. UK BIT is the first policy nudging unit established in 2010 by the UK government, dedicated to incorporating a better understanding of human behavior into public policy, programs, and products.

This benchmarking activity highlighted the need for the Philippines to invest in behavioral science and innovative approaches to improve policymaking in the AANR sector. Through adopting science-based policy approaches, DOST-PCAARRD continues its commitment to drive sustainable development in the AANR sector.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAAARRD) collaborated with the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB -BIOTECH) to develop an innovative approach to silage production. This initiative aims to shorten the fermentation period of corn stover and rice straw silage while enhancing their nutritive value. 

Led by UPLB-BIOTECH Director Fides Marciana Tambalo, the project, “Rapid Enzymatic Fermentation and Nutrition Enhancement of Corn Stover and Rice Straw Silage,” seeks to optimize corn stover and rice straw silage fermentation  through the  application of enzyme and a specially formulated microbial starter culture. The project aligns with DOST-PCAARRD’s priority area on enhancement of the country’s animal feed resources. 

Corn stover and rice straw are byproducts of corn and rice farming that are abundant but underutilized as animal feed. The project aims to refine silage processing using cellulase and xylanase enzymes to maximize digestibility, while microbial starter cultures will be developed to improve the quality of the resulting silage. 

Funded by DOST-PCAARRD, the project is being monitored by the Council’s Livestock Research Division (LRD). Recently, the LRD team conducted a field monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activity to assess the project’s status. Mr. Rundolfo P. Llamas, DOST-PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Dairy, and Mr. Stephen A. Mendoza visited the UPLB-BIOTECH laboratory and conducted a project review during the M&E activity.

In its first year of implementation, the project has already achieved significant milestones. Initial optimization studies on enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover and rice straw using cellulase and xylanase enzymes have been conducted. Researchers have also evaluated the effects of these enzyme additives on the nutritive, chemical, and microbial quality of silage. Additionally, lactic acid bacteria have been isolated to develop microbial starter culture intended for silage production. 

The project is expected to benefit livestock farmers. By improving the efficiency of silage production, farmers can increase income through the valorization of corn and rice straw byproducts ultimately leading to enhanced animal productivity. Furthermore, the project offers environmental benefits by providing a sustainable method for converting agricultural wastes into quality animal feed.