The making of an outstanding agricultural scientist

The Department of Agriculture’s "Outstanding Agricultural Scientist" is a man of many specializations. Dr. Herminio Pava is an agronomist, plant breeder, seed technologist, agroforester, researcher and author of various studies. He believes that agricultural appropriate technologies will give farmers utmost productivity resulting in good incomes and improved quality of life.

His project — the Mindanao Upland Stabilization and Utilization through Proper Agroforestry Networking Program (MUSUAN) — was bestowed by Ford Foundation with a grant of $200,000. He used the grant to pursue his educational program for upland farmers in Bukidnon, the Integrated Social Forestry (ISF). The program has four components: ISF Himaya, Colambogan and Maramag; Bukidnon; ISF Sabacan and Panadtalan; ISF San Jose, Malaybalay City; and ISF Capistrano and Managok, Malaybalay City.

These ISFs are models for upland development not only in the Philippines but also in other countries like Japan, the United States of America, Australia, Bhutan, Thailand and Vietnam whose scientists and farmers regularly paid visits.

Dr. Pava holds a Ph.D. in Crop Science from Oklahama University. He earned his Master of Science Degree, major in Agronomy from the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, Laguna and Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Central Mindanao University. For his expertise, he is usually invited to other countries as a resource person in seminars and conventions

MUSUAN is focused on conserving the soil and water, reforestation of denuded mountains and controlling soil erosion in sloping areas where slash-and-burn farming (kaingin) is a widespread practice. Its main thrust is the rehabilitation of devastated upland ecosystem by agricultural technology and agroforestry practices. For upland farming he uses and teaches the Sloping Agricultural land Technology (SALT) introduced by the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The SALT system uses hedgerows to control soil erosion and prevent rainfall from sliding down towards the lowland — an effective practice in soil conservation — and in the process irrigating the plants between the hedgerows. Some of Pava’s farmer students have become by themselves trainors of other upland farmers. The National Power Corp. has also hired them to replicate the SALT system in Napocor sites.

Another project of Dr. Pava, the banana cottage industry pilot demonstration studies in Bukidnon with 970 farmer members, was able to rejuvenate the ailing banana industry.

As an educator and author, he had written several technical and scientific publications. Among them, is the book "An Introduction To Crop Science," now used as textbook by students of agronomy and horticulture courses. As a member of the National Plantation Crop Commodity Team and Corn, Sorghum, Legumes and Plantation Crops Technical Working Group he evaluates and plans the direction of the research and development agricultural crops. Conferred the title of Scientist III by the Department of Science and Technology and the Civil Service Commission, he has earned one international award, nine national awards and six institutional awards for his studies, leadership and in promoting productivity in agriculture.