Department of Agriculture NEWS BUREAU OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH ISSN 1655-3942 DA adopts IPM scheme against Brontispa hronicle Gawad Oscar Florendo photo cour Visit our official website at http://www.bar.gov.ph Awardee for Outstanding Information Tool for Print ollowing the alarming outbreak of According to PCA Administrator BARC an invasive coconut pest in the Oscar Garin, the plague ofBrontispa can be tesy of asianipm Fcountry, the Department of controlled and contained through integrated Volume 8 Issue No. 10 Official monthly publication of the Bureau of Agricultural Research OCTOBER 2007 Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine control measures. This includes (1) Coconut Authority (PCA), has devised mechanical control method which involves the and adopted an integrated pest cutting of the young coconut fronds infested .da.gov management (IPM) strategy to control the by the beetle; (2) biological control method Yap promotes abundant & nutritious spread of the coconut pest. IPM is a which involves the mass propagation of .ph combination of different pest-control earwigs, a biological predator ofBrontispa . agri food products strategies implemented to reduce pest Earwigs will be released on infested coconut damage to an acceptable level. trees to feed on brontispa as its prey; and (3) The coconut pest, which was the chemical control which suggests the use of identified asBrontispa longissima Gestro systematic insecticides through trunk n the recent affordability. or the coconut hispine beetle is an insect injection. The devised IPM scheme against the AgriLink/AquaLink/FoodLink He also encouraged the that feeds on the young leaves of Brontispa plague is the result of PCA's Coconut leaf beetle Icelebration held on 4-6 October students to be creative and be the best as coconuts and other palm species. The research, actual observations, and field 2007 at the World Trade Center, Pasay new vegetable discoveries are unveiled pest poses a great threat to the country's experiences. Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Rizal, Palawan, City, Department of Agriculture (DA) for better nutrition program for families, coconut industry as it is considered The IPM scheme for the control and Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Secretary Arthur C. Yap emphasized that households, communities, schools and among the most damaging pest of containment of the coconut pest is already Aklan, Guimaras, Bohol, Eastern Samar, the future of the country lies in the whole country. coconut. The larvae ofBrontispa feeds being implemented with PCA as the lead Northern Samar, Zamboanga, Bukidnon and agriculture. Meanwhile, this year's Pinaka- on young leaves of coconut, leaving it agency. Garin reported that PCA has already Davao. He stressed this during the BEST agricultural crop and fishery scorched in a ragged appearance, while treated more than 70,000 infested coconut Brontispa was believed to be culminating activities of the affair commodities showcased the bountiful the adults leave chewing marks on the trees. introduced in the country in 2004 through wherein winners of the O! May Gulay harvests from rich and fertile soils and leaves. The damage that the pest causes DA has placed Metro Manila under the importation of ornamental palms. In Cooking Contest and the Pinaka-BEST water resources from the different impairs the physiological activity of the quarantine and other 26 provinces that were this regard, the imports of palm seedlings agricultural products were recognized regions of the country. leaves, which can lead to the death of the reported to haveBrontispa infestation. The and germinated seeds from over two dozen and awarded. Yap pointed out that to have plants. Coconuts that are 4-5 years old provinces under quarantine are Ilocos Norte, countries with reported Brontispa Yap mentioned that we should nutritious and healthy food, agriculture are most heavily attacked by this pest. Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, infestation were banned by DA. (Ellaine encourage children, youths and everyone must play an important role in making Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, Laguna, Grace L. Nagpala) to eat healthy, nutritious, and delicious the commodities abundant and vegetable recipes because of their sustainable to address the nutritional nutritive value and affordability. He requirements of people in the rural areas made reference to the new vegetable and metropolis. DA implements program to abate use of chemical fertilizers recipes that enable households to cook “If we want to have a steady cheaper and better vegetable supply of agricultural products, we must involve ourselves and be productive for he Department of Agriculture (DA) two types of technologies: Modified Rapid National Agriculture and Fisheries Council preparations as six high schools in Metro a healthier and wealthier Philippines,” he through the Bureau of Soils and Composting (MRC) andTipid Abono (TA). (NAFC) has approved the three-year Manila competed for the coveted award Water Management (BSWM) is MRC promotes farm wastes recycling and financial assistance amounting to PhP 246.0 for originality, innovativeness and concluded. (Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino) T million as a start-up fund for its nationwide implementing the Organic-based composting, which is an alternative Agriculture “Agri-Kalikasan” technology suitable in poverty stricken implementation. Development Program to abate the areas, with farmers having limited capital to Dir. Eleazar said that the dependence of small farmers on chemical- sustain production. Meanwhile, TA promotion of biofertlizer production based fertilizers which are not only technology is an alternative to help farmers technology is hoped to generate income not World Food Day highlights “Right to Food” only for the farmer-cooperators but expensive but are also risky to the their cope with high input costs which promotes he need to realize the human right Yap. The seminar on indigenous plants ultimately to improve the economic health and the environment. This, reported the judicious use and proper mixtures of to obtain adequate food by served as BAR’s participation in the WFD In this issue... activities in the regions. Through this by BAR Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar oil-based chemical fertilizers and recycled ensuring respect, protection, and celebration. project, resource utilization are optimized “T during a brief presentation during the home and farm wastes, animal manures, fulfillment”— this highlights the theme Other agencies involved were the while at the same time protecting the Yap promotes abundant and nutritious...................................1 “Bio-organic Fertilizer Production Project chicken dung, guano, and other forms and for the 2007 World Food Day (WFD) Agricultural Training Institute (ATI), environment through proper disposal and World Food Day highlights “Right to Food”...........................1 Orientation” held on 2 October 2007 at the natural sources of soil ameliorates and celebration highlighting the National Agricultural and Fishery Council use of farm and agro wastes. 2/F RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave., Diliman, organic fertilizers in areas where input costs banner,”Right to Food”. (NAFC), DA-Agribusiness and Marketing 72-kg squash aces as “Pinka-BEST” People’s.......................2 Attending the project orientation Quezon City. are too high for farmers. Department of Agriculture System (DA-AMAS) and Bureau of Plant BAR awards 16 outstanding researches in agri.....................3 were RIARC managers and key staff from The presentation was made in The Japanese Government, under (DA) Secretary Arthur C. Yap with Food Industry (BPI). Locally-developed ND vaccine wins PSAS Award.................4 the Regional Coordination Division (RCD) complementation with an on-going project the RP-Japan Increased Food Production or and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Participants coming from the BAR conducts bio-organic fertilizer orientation.....................4 the KR2 program, in cooperation with the of BAR. (Rita T. dela Cruz) funded and supported by BAR on bio- Representative Kazuyuki Tsurumi attached bureaus and agencies of the Eleazar recieves distinguished alumni award........................5 organic fertilizer and in cooperation with a organized various programs and Department, Regional Field Units (RFUs), UPLB celebrates Loyalty Day; Velasco highlights.................5 private institution, the Agro-Forestry Crop activities in observance of the worldwide Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Systems, Inc. (AFCSI). The project is Nutritious malunggay-based recipe wins 2007.......................6 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE event. Center (RIARCs), Regional Fisheries Food company eyes the potential of malunggay....................6 implemented in 18 pilot experimental sites BAR Research Centers (RFRDCs), state colleges of the Regional Integrated Agricultural Chronicle Seminar on indigenous plants turn to page 9 Beverage from malunggay.........................................................7 Research Centers (RIARCs). RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave.,cor. Elliptical Rd. Director Nicomedes P. Eleazar BAR promotes nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals ...............7 In the presentation, Dir. Eleazar Diliman,Quezon City 1104 of the Bureau of Agricultural Research BAR introduces potential product lines from..........................8 PHILIPPINES stressed that the Agri-Kalikasan program (BAR), being the chairperson for the A fresh look atsiling labuyo ......................................................8 is a science-based back-to-basic WFD Seminar Committee,