In line with its commitment to advancing sustainable and globally competitive Philippine agriculture, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) sponsored and attended the 28th Federation of Plant Science Associations of the Philippines, Inc. (FPSAP) Scientific Conference held recently at Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.
Themed, “Plant Science Innovations for Sustainable Solutions in Agriculture, Health, and Nutrition,” the conference gathered plant scientists, researchers, and industry stakeholders to present technologies and research results addressing productivity, sustainability, and nutrition challenges.
One of the plenary speakers was Dr. Renerio P. Gentallan, Jr. of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), who underscored the strategic importance of conserving and advancing research on Philippine medicinal plants as a pathway to empower communities.
“It is time to put the health and power back to the hands of the people through learning and doing research about crops, or medicinal plants in particular,” said Dr. Gentallan.
This call to strengthen community-driven research and conservation efforts aligns with the continuing support of DOST-PCAARRD for S&T-based innovations not just on medicinal plants, but across priority crop commodities.
Research outputs supported by DOST-PCAARRD were also featured in the plenary sessions. Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) presented “Garlic and Other Agrifood Condiments: The Gem of the North,” highlighting improved production practices for increased garlic productivity and strengthened competitiveness of the local agrifood condiments. Meanwhile, Dr. Lilia M. Fernando-Corpuz of UPLB, presented “Nanotechnologies for Improved Crop Production,” showcasing the use of nanofertilizer for increased yield in rice, corn, vegetables, sugarcane, banana, coffee, and cacao.
Other DOST-PCAARRD and Coconut Hybridization Project (CHP)-funded projects also earned recognition through scientific poster awards. Under the PhilFruits Association category, “Seednut Profiling of Coconut Cultivars under seasonal variation Towards Industry-Specific and Strategic Utilization” won first place, while “Fatty Acid Composition and Heterosis in Coconut Composite Hybrids and Parental Population” bagged the third place. Both of these projects were implemented by the Philippine Coconut Authority–Zamboanga Research Center. Meanwhile, the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB-UPLB) garnered third place in the Crop Science Society of the Philippines Category for the poster, “Sporesight: Real-Time Identification of Eggplant Pollen Development Stages Using Computer Vision Techniques.”
The event also conferred the DA-Khush Award of Distinction, the highest award given by the federation, to Dr. Ofelia K. Bautista, Retired Professor 12 of UPLB, and Dr. John C. De Leon, Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute of the Department of Agriculture (DA-PhilRice), for their exemplary contributions to plant science.
The FPSAP member societies一Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP), Philippine Fruits Association (PFA), Philippine Association of Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, Inc. (PAPTCB), and the Philippine Seed Industry Association, Inc. (PSIA)一also inducted their new members and officers during the conference. Representing the Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD were inductees Dr. Leilani D. Pelegrina as Ex Officio, Ms. Alissa Carol M. Ibarra as Secretary, and Mr. Alvin Quiel C. Sabanal as Public Relations Officer of the CSSP.