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Outstanding papers in the research and development categories were recently conferred with the Best R&D Paper Awards during the 53rd Founding Anniversary Celebration and S&T Recognition and Awarding Ceremony held on January 30, 2026.
Prior to the conferment, six papers were presented during the National Symposium on Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) held on October 14, 2025 for final judging. Organized annually by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), the NSAARRD recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions in improving the state of R&D in the country for the interest of the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources sector.
The award has two categories: research category, which includes outputs from the conduct of fundamental basic research, applied research, experimental theoretical development, and/or pilot testing; and development category, which includes any outputs of organized work intended to apply and disseminate new knowledge and information, technology, processes, systems, services, machines, and equipment gained from previous research and practical experiences and best practices.
Research category
Under the research category, the top place was conferred to the project, “Etiology, detection, and management strategies against Pestalotiopsis disease of rubber,” implemented by the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI), in collaboration with the University of Southern Mindanao. The project, led by Dr. Jill D. Villanueva, a former Training Specialist III of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) and currently affiliated with the Cotabato Foundation College of Science and Technology (CFCST) as Associate Professor I, aimed to reinvigorate the rubber plantations in Mindanao as more than 37,000 rubber tree plantations were affected by the Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease (PLFD), a fungal disease in rubber trees that causes falling of the leaves, reduced rubber production, and eventually the death of the tree.
Awardees of the Best R&D Paper Award - Research Category from the Philippine Rubber Research Institute and University of Southern Mindanao
The project developed a DNA-based detection method for early diagnosis; identified effective chemical and biological treatments; identified three potential endophytes or fungi that live in plants that can suppress the growth of the pathogen causing PFLD, and strengthened disease assessment and management.
From these accomplishments, a protocol for the management of PLFD was developed and recommended to different local government units (LGUs). This protocol was applied by 3,452 rubber farmers and 6,504 rubber plantation owners in 54 municipalities of the six rubber-producing regions in Mindanao (in Western, Central, and Southern Mindanao; SOCCSKSARGEN; and BARMM).
The second place was conferred to the project, “Spore Morphology, Ex-situ Conservation and Utilization of Mindanao Indigenous Pteridophytes,” led by Dr. Fulgent P. Coritico, Professor -at the Plant Biology Division-Institute of Biological Sciences of the Central Mindanao University. The project was conducted as an effort towards the conservation and development of Mindanao’s indigenous ferns and fern-like species, many of which are endemic, and several are already reported to be threatened.
From 2022 to 2024, researchers led by Dr. Fulgent Coritico of CMU explored 15 mountain ecosystems in Mindanao to collect plant materials. Under the research project, they were able to collect, catalog, and deposit 290 species of ferns to the Natural Science Research Center (NSRC) Spore Bank and Tissue Culture Laboratory at CMU.
The third place winner under the research category, was conferred to the project, “Enhancing Garlic Productivity Through Planting Density and Nutrient Management Optimization,” implemented by the team led by Dr. Dionisio S. Bucao, Director of Research at the Mariano Marcos State University. This project utilized the integrated crop management (ICM) system that applies a science-based approach to improving yield, soil health, and pest control while reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. To increase garlic productivity, the project assessed the use of nutrient management, plant growth promoters, micronutrients like boron, and planting density.
The project found that using the package of technology, which includes optimized planting densities and nutrient management, can significantly increase garlic yields. The optimal treatment combination resulted in a substantial yield increase of 144.25% to 259.76% that translates to an additional income of P480,757 to P913,651 per hectare and a rise in net profits by 424% to 805%, despite an increase in material and labor costs. Garlic farmers are offered higher incomes from the increased yield and competitiveness in the industry given that they follow the package of technology.
Development category
Meanwhile, under the development category, the first place was conferred to the project, “Let’s Doe Business: Goat-Milk-Based Livelihood Opportunity to Mitigate the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” implemented by the Central Luzon State University led by Mr. Neal A. Del Rosario, Senior Agriculturist and Acting Director of the Small Ruminant Center at CLSU.
The project helped dairy goat raisers recover from the economic challenges brought about by the pandemic. Moreover, it also aimed to establish sustainable dairy goat enterprises among smallholder farmers while improving their income through enhanced knowledge and skills in goat raising, milk processing, and entrepreneurship.
The second place was conferred to the project, “Artificial Intelligence-Based Diagnostic Clinic for Detection and Monitoring System for the Management of Rubber Diseases and Insect Pests,” again, led by Dr. Jill D. Villanueva. This study is in collaboration with the University of Southern Mindanao. The resulting technology of the project is an AI-based disease and insect pest monitoring and an online diagnostic clinic called Intelligent Rubber Insect Pest and Disease Diagnostic (IRISDD).
Currently, the IRISDD has 50,000 images of rubber diseases and insect pests, which will aid rubber farmers in diagnosing and monitoring rubber diseases. IRISDD will serve as a centralized database accessible online and compatible with all browsers on Android, Mac, and Windows operating systems–making this innovation accessible for smallholder rubber farmers, cooperatives, associations, and local government units (LGUs), among other beneficiaries.
Lastly, under the development category, the third place was conferred to the project, “The ‘Black Gold’ Magic: Expanding Market Reach and Opportunities for Mang Bean Instant Ginisang Munggo and Noodles Food Products,” implemented by the Department of Agriculture – Cagayan Valley Research Center (DA-CVRC) led by Ms. Vanessa Joy F. Calderon, Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Station Chief of the Northern Cagayan Experiment Station of the Department of Agriculture-Cagayan Valley Region. Mang Bean Food Products is an initiative launched in 2017 to add value to the abundant supply of mungbeans and to support farmers and processors in Cabatuan, Isabela. To increase production of the Mang Bean products in 2020, DA-CVRC transferred Mang Bean Food Products to Farmers Land Owners and Workers (FLOW) of Pariir Agriculture Cooperative in Cabatuan.
The market expansion supported the livelihood of local farmers and processors involved in mungbean production. Furthermore, production of the Mang Bean Food Products increased significantly following the turnover of the P2.5 million processing facility and equipment in 2022 by the DA Regional Field Office 02 (DA-RFO 02). The FLOW of Pariir Agriculture Cooperative was able to expand their market reach to four regions including Region 3, National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4A, and the Ilocos Region.