DA research bureau to mark 19th year on Aug 7-8

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) will observe its 19th anniversary on Aug. 7-8.

A National Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Seminar Series will be held at the bureau’s Research and Development Management Information Center (RDMIC) on Visayas Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City, during the two-day affair.

Anniversary theme is "Transforming the Philippine R&D into Global Responsiveness."

Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban is the opening program’s keynote speaker. He will be introduced by BAR assistant director Dr. Teodoro Solsoloy.

BAR director Nicomedes P. Eleazar will deliver the welcome remarks and the Director’s Report.

Aside from the showcasing of commerciable technologies, other highlights of the anniversary celebration include the awarding of ISO (International Standard Organization) certification 9001:2000 by TUV Philippines, Inc. through its business development manager, Carmina Espiron. An ISO certification is a mark of excellence in a specific endeavor.

Outstanding BAR employees will also receive awards.

BAR was established in 1987 "to ensure that all agricultural research is coordinated and undertaken for maximum utility to agriculture." It taps farmers, farmer organizations, and research institutions, especially state colleges and universities (SCUs), in the conduct of research for the use of DA and its clientele, particularly farmers and fisherfolk and other rural workers.

As DA’s research arm, BAR coordinates and funds agricultural and fishery R&D activities, develops partnerships with local and international research organizations, and sources funds from donor institutions.

BAR has over the years been supporting research projects of member-agencies of the DA-BAR-coordinated National Research and Development System for Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF), as well as SCUs.

It is also presently implementing a National Technology Commercialization Program (NTCP) which focuses on the commercialization of technologies generated by R&D entities.

BAR has likewise been implementing a graduate scholarship program which enables staff members of NaRDSAF member-agencies and SCUs to pursue their doctoral and master’s degrees in prestigious tertiary institutions in the country.

The program has so far produced 26 PhD and 24 MS degree holders, who are now playing key roles in the strengthening of the R&D capabilities of their respective institutions. – Rudy A. Fernadez