NAST S&T Policy Forum held in UPLB
- Written by Lawrence N. Garcia
- Published in News
© OVCRE/Lawrence N. Garcia
The National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST Philippines), in partnership with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE-UPLB), and the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB-UPLB) of UPLB’s College of Agriculture held a Science and Technology (S&T) Policy Forum themed “From Monocrops to Systems: What is an Appropriate Research, Development, Demonstration, and Deployment (RDDD) Approach” at the IPB Seminar Room on 07 April, 2016.
Academician Ruben L. Villareal, who served as the forum’s moderator and master of ceremonies, delivered NAST Vice President Academician Fabian M. Dayrit’s welcome remarks. UPLB Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Rex B. Demafelis also gave a short opening message for the forum.
Before the speakers began their respective presentations, Academician Eufemio T. Rasco Jr., Chair of the Agricultural Sciences Division of NAST Philippines, explained the forum’s objectives. He emphasized the need to transition from doing monoculture to developing and utilizing multi-cropping farming systems to increase productivity and feed the world’s ever-increasing population.
Dr. Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang, Deputy Director for Development at the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) discussed “Rural Transformation through Community Rice-Based Farming Systems” which showcased the various projects of PhilRice throughout the country.
Dr. Artemio M. Salazar, Research Professor from IPB-UPLB talked about the country’s corn industry during his presentation entitled “From Monocrop to Cropping System: Appropriate RDDD Approach… The Case for Corn.”
Mr. Ramon L. Rivera, Deputy Administrator of the Research, Development, and Extension Branch of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) shared the different farming systems being used and explored by the PCA in his talk “Coconut-based Farming Systems: The PCA Experience.”
Academician Rafael D. Guerrero III, a member of the Agricultural Sciences Division of NAST Philippines, discussed the “Research and Development Needs for Aqua-based Farming Systems.”
The speakers entertained questions and insights from the audience, which included National Scientist Teodulo M. Topacio Jr., National Scientist Ricardo M. Lantican, Academician Evelyn Mae Tecson-Mendoza, Academician Emil Q. Javier, Academician Libertado C. Cruz, and Corresponding Member Reynaldo L. Villareal, during the open forum.
2012 Outstanding Young Scientist Dr. Marcos B. Valdez Jr., Professor and Research Fellow at the Far Eastern University (FEU) Manila, delivered the forum’s summary and synthesis.
To formally close the event, National Scientist Dolores A. Ramirez delivered her closing remarks.
