Putho-Tuntungin naglunsad ng proyektong vegetable container gardening para sa 4Ps

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ni Ricarda Villar

Namahagi ng mga binhi ng pipino, sitaw, at kalabasa sa kanilang barangay covered court ang Brgy. Putho-Tuntungin sa mga miyembro ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) noong ika-13 ng Setyembre.

Pinangunahan ni Kapitan Ronaldo Oñate at Konsehal Rhodora Lagman ang pamamahagi ng binhi ng gulay sa mga miyembro ng 4Ps sa kanilang baranga y. Isang linggo matapos ang pamamahagi ng binhi, bibisitahin ng barangay ang mga kabahayan upang masigurong patuloy na nakikibahagi sa proyekto ang mga miyembro ng 4Ps.

Ang pamamahagi ng binhi ng gulay ay panimula ng proyektong vegetable container gardening na pinangungunahan ni Kapitan Ronaldo Oñate at Konsehal Rhodora Lagman ng komite ng agrikultura ng Brgy. Putho-Tuntungin.

Ang mga binhing ipinamahagi ay mula sa PAMANA Center at sa Institute of Plant Breeding ng UP Los Baños. Paliwanag ni Konsehal Lagman, ang pamamahagi ng binhi or seed dispersal ay matagal at regular nang isinasagawa ng Brgy. Putho-Tuntungin upang matulungan ang mga residenteng magkaroon ng karagdagang mapagkukuhanan ng pagkain.

Ani Kapitan Oñate, ang proyektong vegetable container gardening ay nabuo matapos maobserbahan na walang mapagkuhanan ng supply ng gulay ang mga residente matapos masira ng Bagyong Glenda ang mga taniman ng gulay sa bahay-bahay. Sa vegetable container gardening, maitatago pansamantala ang mga pananim upang hindi ito maapektuhan ng sama ng panahon at maaring mailabas muli pagkalipas ng bagyo. Maliban dito, makakatulong ang vegetable container gardening na magkaroon ng regular na mapagkukunan ng pagkain ang kanilang mga kabarangay. Kasali sa proyekto ang lahat ng miyembro ng 4Ps sa Brgy. Putho-Tuntungin.

Para sa mga nais makipagtulungan sa proyektong vegetable container gardening sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng mga binhi o mga plastik na botelya o lalagyan (1, 1.5, at 2 litro), maaaring makipag-ugnayan sa Tanggapan ng Brgy. Putho-Tuntungin sa numerong (049) 536-4546.

AMDP displays smart incubator in Syensaya 2014

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by Remsce A. Pasahol

The Agricultural Mechanization Development Program of the University of the Philippines College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (UPLB CEAT) showcased an egg incubator made from locally available materials in the three-day Syensaya annual science festival at the UPLB campus on September 10 to 12.

A simple ice chest made of styrofoam served as the chamber of the incubator. An incandescent bulb served as source of light and heat. To ensure that the heat was absorbed evenly by the egg, there is a computer fan which distributes the heated air and an egg turner which tilts the egg. An air vent was also installed to regulate the temperature and humidity or the amount of water vapor in the chamber.

What makes this invention a smart incubator is the automation system used in the machine. which is an Arduino platform (Gizduino X derivative). This tool acts like the central processing unit of a computer to control the fan, light bulb and egg turner based on the input and the environmental condition, such as moisture and temperature.

Since the incubator is no longer manually operated, more precise and accurate operation can be observed in maintaining the desired temperature of 37 to 38 degrees Celsius for better incubation of eggs.

DOST Region4-A introduces ICT-based “Project HaNDA”

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by Kristina Aloida Tolentino

On the closing day of the annual three-day science fair and exhibit, Syensaya 2014 continues to showcase different scientific innovations from institutions and research organizations catering to the theme of the event “Los Baños Science Community: supporting the nation in meeting global challenges.”

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 4-A showcased their innovations focusing on risk reduction management. Featured projects in the booth include fiberglass rescue boats, volumetric calibration laboratory, and the ICT-based innovation called Project HaNDA (Hazard Notification, Dissemination and Awareness).

Project HaNDA is a website based system that updates and disseminates disaster-related announcements covering earthquake, volcano, and weather bulletins as well as tropical cyclone to concerned government agencies within the region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon provinces).

Information dissemination of the technology works in a top-down approach that enables the system to give updates within minutes of notice. Concerning agencies like PAGASA, PHIVOLC, and RDRRMCA channel information to DOST Region 4-A from time to time. And the DOST then updates the websites and notifies local units of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers (DRRMOs) through generated sim cards accessible only by both parties.

The website includes a map and provides visual representations of real-time situations on specific regions. It also includes weather bulletins and modules on dissemination, feedback, and public inquiry.

According to France Lagro, project coordinator from DOST, there is a need for more funding, research and acceptance of these risk reduction management programs since the country is constantly experiencing calamities thus these are great tools to keep people informed and prevent disasters to occur.

The system was developed in 2010 and is still accessible through the website drrm.region4a.dost.gov.ph.

Growing market for Red Nile Tilapia

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by Kristina Aloida N. Tolentino

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) showcased different innovations that aim to solve environmental, agricultural and food sustenance problems in the country during the 2014 Syensaya fair at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) Copeland gymnasium. On the second day of the exhibit at the PCAARRD booth, the featured products were research development focused on rice production, coconut trade and processing, and tilapia breeding.

The highlight of the exhibit was the aquarium filled with Red Nile Tilapia.

Syensaya 2014

Aquarium filled with high breed Red Nile Tilapia developed by PCAARD (photo by KA Tolentino)

Willie Ibarra, science research specialist at PCAARD, said that the showcase aims to attract and inform people about the emerging market for Red Nile tilapia, a high-quality tilapia known for its appealing red color, which is attributed to the Mossambique tilapia crossbred with the Nile tilapia for faster growth.

This breed of tilapia was originally imported from Singapore in 1978 and has been improved locally to introduce a different variant aside from the commonly available gray, cheap, and fingerling tilapia.

According to Ibarra, PCAARD is trying to revive the market for this “Class A” breed of tilapia to have a cheaper alternative to the high-priced marine species. The market hampered due to the mass market of the common grey Nile tilapia.

The institution partnered with the National Tilapia Research and Development Program for funding and also with the Central Luzon State University-Freshwater Aquaculture Center (CLSU-FAC) to lead and improve on research.

LWD shows water sampling analysis in Syensaya 2014

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with reports from Vhernadette A. Oracion and Stephanie Pearl DP Orendain
The Laguna Water District (LWD) showcased the water-testing process in water facilities that ensure the quality of water in Los Banos. The process was available for observation on the first day of the Syensaya, an annual science festival held at the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) campus.
Water testing is regularly conducted to test for bacteria in common water sources, such as deep wells.

Microbiologist Alma Grace Velasquez used three water samples to demonstrate the water testing process. Of the three samples, two tested positive for coliform and E. coli, common disease-causing bacteria. Among the diseases brought by these organisms is diarrhea.The Colilert-18 Test is used to test water samples in Laguna. Colilert-18 reacts with the enzymes present in the two types of bacteria and will turn the water yellow if coliforms are present. However, for samples with E. coli, the water will turn blue if observed under the UV light.

“Hindi naman nagpa-positive sa coli forms at E. coli ang tubig dito [sa Laguna],” Velasquez assured. However, when during outbreaks involving coliforms and E. coli, the LWD increase the dosage of the disinfectant chlorine dioxide as counter measure.

Reviving the tree of life: PCAARRD lays plan for coco industry revitalization

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by John Paul Omac

Heralded as the “tree of life”, coconuts were considered the lifeblood of Philippine agriculture, topping the list of Philippine agricultural products for export. However, with the devastation brought by coconut scale insects (CSI) and other natural factors, such as the recent typhoon Glenda, the coconut industry is steadily losing its vitality.

Scientists are continuously developing innovations which can help revitalize the Philippine coconut industry, as highlighted by the exhibit of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) in the 7th Syensaya, September 10-12, at the Copeland Gymnasium, University of the Philippines Los Baños.

The exhibit presented the Industry Strategic S &T Plan (ISP) for coconuts which hopes to address the major issues and concerns of the coconut industry through the use of S & T innovations.

According to Ervin Naval, science research analyst of PCAARRD, the aim of the ISP for coconuts is to increase palm production and reduce losses due to pest.

“This will lead to the increase not just the farmers’ income but the whole industry as well,” Naval added.

Currently, the coconut palm covers most of the landscape in the 68 out of the country’s 79 provinces, with more than 3.4 million farmers directly relying on it.

However, the national average yield hangs at 46 nuts/tree a year—way below the global benchmark of 120/nuts a year.

The dwindling productivity of coconuts, among other factors ultimately makes Coconut farmers one of the most marginalized in the agricultural sector.

About 96% of coconut farmers are considered non-bankable by corporate banking sector, preventing them from borrowing capital they can use to improve their farms.

Through the Coconut ISP, PCAARRD, in partnership with Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) drafted a timeline spanning from 2013 to 2015 which contains their actions and expected outcomes.

Primarily, they employ genomics—the sequencing and rearranging of DNA to improve desired traits such as high nut yield, high oil yield, pest resistance, and drought resistance.

By 2015, they aim to increase the yield of coconuts from 46/nuts a year to 100/nuts a year.

Naval also said that if plans materialize by 2015, they would have reduced yield losses by up to 13.8 million nuts.

“The reduce yield losses and other innovations to develop high value products like cocosap, cocosugar, and others would lead to a 44% increase in income of the farmers,”he added.

Aside from Coconut, PCAARRD also showcases their innovations for banana, mango, and tilapia.

In the end, they envision the Philippine agri-fisheries industry to be “smarter and more sustainable” through scientific innovations.