ASC UPDATES

ASC UPDATES
New Soil Science Grad...p2
DOST 7 grants 3M... p2
FSTP Country Siquijor ...p3
Alumni Updates...p5
Soil Science Week...p6
PASES Shares Paskong Paslit...p7
New Research Focus...p8
SURPRESA in the rainfed rice...p10
ASC staff in NOAC...p11
T
he revival issue of the ASC Updates
mark the new era of the Clusters
efort to put Agricultural Systems
into the forefront of agricultural
development. Te Agricultural Systems
Cluster will continue its efort to address
various issues confronting Philippine
agriculture to include among others
the prevailing poverty in the sector
resulting from low productivity, resource
degradation, climate change, and global
economic challenges.
Being at the center of agricultural
development convergence in the College
of Agriculture at UPLB, the ASC,
despite its limitations, is able to mobilize
meager resources and social capital to
operationalize agricultural systems
approaches in its various programs and
projects.
Te SURPRESA is being implemented
in the rainfed rice areas of Batangas since
2009. Te on-farm trials of white corn
technologies to increase productivity
of the alternative staple food to rice
are being conducted in selected corn
eating areas of the country. Te Farmers
Scientist Training Program (FSTP) is
now adopted as an extension strategy
with ASC providing the support to the
Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in
its national implementation particularly
in white corn producing areas. Te
initiative in improving the production of
Native Swine in Coconut-based areas is
also being expanded in Bondoc Peninsula
and REINA areas of Quezon Province.
Organic Agriculture is operationalized
in various R&D projects. Started as
a pilot project, organic farming is
eventually being adopted by farmers
organizations in Tayabas and Pagbilao,
Quezon, Bauan, Batangas and in Baras
Rizal. Te ASC researches continue to
validate and develop organic farming
technologies.
Meeting the challenge of Climate
change, the ASC exerts efort to develop
agricultural systems capacities to adapt
to climate change. Tere are eforts
to develop methodologies to assess
vulnerabilities and adaptive capabilities
of communities and agricultural systems
to climate change. To provide a venue for
discussion and exchange of information,
the ASC launched a seminar series on
Agricultural Systems Adaptation to
Climate Change.
ASC keeping up to the challenge!
Organic Agriculture
ASC-UPLB leads 1st
Provincial PGS. Page 3
Native Swine
Native Swine for Lechon
de Leche. Page 4
New ASC Director
FCM at the helm.
Page 12
Seminar Series on Agricultural Systems Launched
ASC on Climate Change
Climate keeps on
changing. We cannot
escape from it but we can
live with it. Communities
have to adapt with climate
change. The Agricultural
Systems Cluster (ASC)
has been addressing
this concern through its
various research and
development activities
but are not adequately
communicated to the
public. With this, the
need to have a Seminar
Series on Agricultural
Systems Adaptation to
Climate Change was
conceptualized. The
seminar series will provide
a venue to discuss various
efforts of ASC to address
methodologies and
approaches to enhance
agricultural systems
adaptation to climate
change.
Seminar Series
The seminar series was
launched on December 8,
2011 through a seminar
presented by Dr. Jose
Nestor M. Garcia on VAST-
Agro: Community-based
Vulnerability and Adaptive
Capacity Assessment for
Agriculture.
Dr. Garcia presented
the assessment
methodology tested by
the ASC Team (with Dr.
Simplicio M. Medina and
Dr. Amparo M. Wagan) in
two villages in Magdalena,
Laguna. Using various
Jade Vine in full bloom at ASC
ISSN: 16569865 NovemberDecember 2011
Continued on Page 2
To keep up with the challenges of
the times, the ASC is geared towards
the operationalization of Agricultural
Livelihood Systems Approach to
development (ALSADev) which deals
with enhancing assets, optimizing the
value chain, reducing the constraining
factors and promoting the driving
forces in the development of Philippine
Agriculture. Tese will guide the new
Director and staf of the ASC for 2012
and beyond.
(A) (B)
2 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES NovemberDecember 2011
ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES
A bi-monthly newsletter of the Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC),
College of Agriculture, UP Los Baos
Editor-in-Chief:
Managing Editor:
Members:
Desktop Publisher:
Circulation Ofcer:
Dr. Edna Luisa A. Matienzo
Dr. Virgilio T. Villancio
Patrick M. Rocamora
Simeona C. Seminiano
Hospicio G. Natural, Jr,
Leonardo P. Faylon
Guillerma Z. Valencia
Myrna A. Tenorio
Simplicio M. Medina
Janelle Faye B. Tanudtanud
Melba S. Paelmo
Vicente D. Limsan, Jr
Florentina M. Mico
T
he Corn-based Farmer-
Scientists RDE Training
Program (FSTP) is now a
national program implemented in
diferent regions in Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao through Executive
Order 710 efective February 2008. It
involves diferent government agencies
as partners in the implementation
such as the Department of Agriculture
(DA), Department of Agrarian
Reform (DAR), Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED)
-SUCs, Department of Interior and
Local Government (DILG)- LGUs,
non-government organizations
(NGOs) and University of the
Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) who
are all concerned with agricultural
development program of the country.
As part of its commitment to
FSTP, the Department of Science
and Technology Region 7 (DOST
7), represented by its Regional
Director, Engr. Rene Burt N. Llanto
has approved for implementation this
January 2012 another FSTP project
titled, Urban and Rural Technology
Transfer and Commercialization of
Farm Products Developed By FSTP
Trained Farmers in Region 7. Tis
project will be implemented by
the FSTP Team of the Agricultural
Systems Cluster (ASC), CA-UPLB
through the leadership of Dr. Romulo
G. Davide, Professor Emeritus, Crop
Science Cluster.
Te specifc objectives of the
project are to: 1) identify FSTP farm
production technologies developed
by FSTP trained farmers in some
municipalities of Cebu, Siquijor,
Bohol and Negros Oriental for
commercialization, 2) establish an
organic vegetable demonstration
farm at the backyard of the DOST
Region 7 building for initial screening
of developed urban gardening
technologies; 3) transfer the adoptable
production technologies to selected
rural and urban communities; 4)
develop packaging and marketing
strategies for farm products and 5)
formulate and recommend policies
that are responsive to the needs of
farmers to adopt improved farming
technologies at the national and local
levels.
Partner-agencies will be DOST
Region 7, the local government units
(LGUs) of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and
Negros Oriental with FSTP trained
farmers; the local state universities and
colleges (SUCs) and the concerned
Farmer-Scientists Associations (FSAs)
established by FSTP in these areas.
Simeona C. Seminiano
DOST 7 grants 3M funds for FSTP
biophysical, socio-
economic and
environmental
parameters, the team
generated vulnerability
and adaptaion
capability index that
will be very useful in
local development
planning in response
to climate change.
The seminar series
will be conducted
monthly with the Bell
and Bottle project of
Dr. David D. Manalo,
the coping mechanism
to climate change of
corn farmers in Cebu
by the FSTP team
and on submergence
rice by Dr. Romeo
V. Labios scheduled
for the rst quarter of
2012.
Virgilio T. Villancio
Seminar Series...from Page 1
New Soil Science Graduates
join ASC Research Teams
Two new BSA graduates major in Soil
Science joined the Farming Systems
and Soil Resources Institute (FSSRI) of
the Agricultural Systems Cluster (ASC).
They were (A) Jacob Labita and (B)
Katherine Valencia. Jacob is now a
research associate under the project
Site-Specifc Nutrient Management
for White Corn in the Philippinesunder
the project leadership of Dr. Romeo
V. Labios. On the other hand, Kathy
is a research associate of Dr. Blesilda
M. Calub under the project Organic
fertilizer and Microbials for improved Soil
Fertility in Organic Vegetable Production
in Southern Luzon. Jacob and Kathy
are not new in research. Kathy did her
thesis on Methane and Nitrous Oxide
Emissions from Lowland Rice Soils under
different Fallow Management under
Dr. Pearl Sanches. Jacob, on the other
hand, did his undergraduate thesis on
GIS-aided Crop Suitability Assessment
and Design of Crop Intensifcation and
Diversifcation Models for Major Land
Units in Upland non-rice based Farming
Systems in Batangas, Philippines under
the supervision of Dr Rodrigo B. Badayos.
With Dr Labios and Dr Calub as their
research mentors at ASC, surely Jacob
and Kathy will gain more knowledge
and research experience in agricultural
systems.
NovemberDecember 2011 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES 3
The ASC-UPLB Organic
Vegetable Project initiates
setting up the rst Participatory
Guarantee System (PGS) at
provincial level in the Philippines.
Promoted by the International
Federation of Organic Agriculture
Movements (IFOAM), the PGS is
a locally-based quality assurance
system which guarantees that a
product claimed to be organic is
really organic according to a set
of standards. PGS represents an
alternative to the more costly third
party certication. It enables the
active participation of producers
and consumers and other
stakeholders in the verication
procedures to recognize a
farming system and its products
as organic.
The Quezon Participatory
Guarantee System (PGS)
is being organized in close
collaboration with the Quezon
Province Ofce of the Governor
and the Provincial Agriculturist,
civic organizations and organic
farmers associations from
Tayabas, Pagbilao and Sariaya.
The Magsasaka at Siyentipiko
Para sa Pag-unlad ng Agrikultura
(MASIPAG), an NGO that
pioneered PGS in the Philippines
shares their technical knowledge,
expertise and experience on
setting up the PGS in Quezon.
Quezon PGS will involve
setting up approval
committees at municipal level
to be composed of Municipal
Agriculturists/Focal Person on
Organic Farming, chairpersons of
organic farmers associations in
Tayabas, Pagbilao and Sariaya,
the Municipal Agriculture and
Fisheries Council (MAFC) and
two (2) representatives from the
consumers/ civil society. Organic
farmers are being trained as Field
Inspectors and Quality Control
Ofcers.
The Quezon PGS group
starting on Sept. 22 to Dec. 12,
2011 have conducted several
meetings, workshops and eld
practicum to draft the Quezon
PGS Standards. In the coming
months in 2012, the Manual of
Operations will be prepared and
tested. A PGS seal will be agreed
upon, proling of all members
and the Quezon PGS Standards
will be nalized and approved for
implementation.
This activity is being
undertaken as part of the
DA-BAR funded project
Sustainable Community-based
Commercialization of Organic
Vegetables while Promoting
Food Security and Food Safety
at Barangay Level
Setting up the PGS is a work
in progress. Renements will
continue to be made as more
experiences are gained from
its actual use in the eld. The
ASC-UPLB organic vegetable
project team with support from
DA-BAR and other relevant
agencies are in the forefront in
this undertaking.
Blesilda M. Calub
and Edna Luisa A. Matienzo
ASC-UPLB leads 1
st
Provincial PGS
F
STP started in 2003 in Siquijor and all its six
municipalities (Lazi, Maria, Larena, Enrique Villanueva,
San Juan and Siquijor) were already covered by then with
a total of 338 farmer-scientist (FS) graduates. On October 15,
2004 during his term as Governor of Siquijor, Representative
Orlando B. Fua declared Siquijor province an FSTP country
in his inspirational message for the FSTP Phase I graduates
in Larena. Since then, he committed Php 1 M yearly from its
Internal Revenue Allocation (IRA) for FSTP implementation.
In his speech during the provinces celebration of 38
th
Charter
Anniversary, Cong. Fua thanked the national government for
playing a big role in bringing in development programs making
Siquijor the most improved in terms of UNDPs Human
Development Index (HDI). He cited a number of projects
funded by the national government through its various agencies
and one of these is the Farmer-Scientists Training Program
(FSTP).
Barely three years from its entry to Siquijor province,
FSTP was observed to have made a big diference in the lives
of the farmers. Since then, results have been encouraging as
farmers have experienced a remarkable improvement in their
productivity and in developing their scientifc capabilities
to produce diferent crops. Tey have been using FSTPs
appropriate farming technologies and the necessary positive
values toward modernized farming. Posted by NEDA Region 7,
an economic survey of 187 farmer-scientists from 49 barangays
FSTP Country Siquijor is Number One
Income Achiever Nationwide
Continued on Page 4
4 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES NovemberDecember 2011
T
he promotion of native swine
production in the coconut areas
of Bondoc Peninsula received a
new shot in the arm as the Bureau of
Agricultural Research (BAR) provided
support for another two years (2012-
2013) to the ASC through the UPLBFI
for the project Agricultural Systems
Approach to Commercialization of
Native Swine in Quezon Via Supply
Chain Clustering.
Te project aims to provide the basic
foundation for the commercialization
of the native swine industry in Quezon
Province using the agricultural systems
approach and scaling up the Dos por
Cinco. Te project will establish three (3)
Breeding-Fattening-Marketing (BFM)
Demonstration Clusters to showcase the
combination of technologies for native
swine enterprise in Bondoc Peninsula
and REINA area (Real, Infanta and
General Nakar) of Quezon Province.
Good agricultural practices (GAP)
in native swine production such as
alternative feeding systems utilizing
locally available materials, housing
and breeding scheme, and meat
processing technologies for the organic
market of nearby urban centers will
be promoted. Value-chain analysis of
the native swine agricultural systems
in Quezon Province will be conducted
and alternative marketing systems for
native swine and its products will be
introduced. Capacity building among
various stakeholders of the native swine
industry in Quezon Province will also
be conducted.
Native Swine for Lechon de Leche:
Scaling-up Dos por Cinco
in all six municipalities of Siquijor was conducted in 2009.
Te Municipal Agricultural Ofcers (MAOs) and agricultural
technicians (ATS) facilitated the survey. Provincial LGU FSTP
coordinator, Lilibeth Caroro revealed an increase of 107 percent
in the annual income of the 187 farmer-scientists in Siquijor
after two to three years from graduation in FSTP. Main sources
of income are vegetables, sweet potato, banana fruits, cassava,
peanut, mongo, and those derived from their livestock raised.
Based on
the 2008/2009
Philippine Human
Development
Report (PHDR)
fnanced by
the United
Development
Programme
(UNDP) and
the New Zealand
Agency for
International
Development, Siquijors per capita income showed to have
increased by 43.6% followed by Biliran at 27.5% between
the period 2003 and 2006. Te HDI is a summary measure
of human development that seeks to measure the average
achievement in a country in three basic dimensions of human
development: a long and healthy life, knowledge, and decent
standard of living (UNDP,2007). HDI levels increased
for 50 and declined for 27 provinces. Tis was shared by
Representative Orlando B. Fua in a report from UNDP through
the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
naming Siquijor as the most improved province in the country
in terms of income.
As the representative of the lone district of Siquijor, Cong.
Orlando B. Fua and Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua,
Jr., with all other local ofcials are giving another boost to
Siquijor farmers as they vowed to continuously support their
agricultural needs particularly those trained farmer-scientists
(FS). Congressman Fua committed another P1M worth for
agricultural projects in 2011. Governor Fua also cited that
records from the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics showed that
Siquijor province is already self-sufcient in corn while needing
35% more to become self-sufcient in rice. For it was already
proven. With rise in income, Siquijor province will no longer
be importing corn from the neighboring islands because of
FSTP, Gov. Fua claims. (RAC/PIA-7 Siquijor).
Tis year and 2011, Siquijor has another 419 farmer-
scientists to add to the list of successfully trained GS since
its implementation. Tese farmer-scientists shall serve as
additional seeds and as source of knowledge not only for the
Siquijodnons but
for the Filipinos in
general.
Inspired by
Siquijor ofcials
to do more as
they renew all-out
fnancial and
logistic support,
the FS are doing
their share to bring
Siquijor to full
economic prosperity by serving their constituents as indigenous
agricultural technicians by teaching fellow farmers.
For nine years implementing and advocating FSTP in
Siquijor, the program can probably say that almost all barangays
of the six municipalities have embraced the FSTP strategy
and elevated the poor farmers of Siquijor from the bondage of
poverty and hunger.
Simeona C. Seminiano
FSTP Country...from Page 3
Continued on the next page...
Gov. Orlando B. Fua, Jr. gives his inspirational
message during the joint FSTP graduation
Farmer-Scientists graduates from the
six municipalities of Siquijor Province.
Photo by Melecio Maghanoy
Photo by Melecio Maghanoy
NovemberDecember 2011 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES 5
Native Swine...from Page 4
It is observed that there are fewer graduates
under the Agricultural Extension and Agricultural
Systems compared to the other major elds
offered under the College of Agriculture. Aside
from the low popularity of these particular major
eld options, students also show lack of interest
due to their perception about the tough nature of
work and they do not have a clear understanding
of probable development opportunities in the
agricultural extension and systems service. For
the last three years, the number of graduates
have increased.
Many of the recent graduates of Agricultural
Extension and Agricultural Systems are now
working in private companies like Tara Christina
Banaag and Maui Mendoza who graduated year
2009 (both Majors in Agricultural Extension)
are now working in Mandela Development
Corporation (MADECOR) and in International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), respectively.
Also, Kim Kirstley Razon, another Agricultural
Extension major, who graduated year 2010 is
currently with Monsanto. Among the recent
graduates is Kimberly Zarah Bejo, an Agricultural
Systems major, is now with Green Organic, Inc.,
in Bacoor, Cavite.
Janelle Faye Tanudtanud
ALUMNI UPDATES
Tara Christina Banaag
2009
Agricultural Extension
Sherbonn Ciceron
2011
Agricultural Extension
Vera Ysabel de la Cruz
2011
Agricultural Extension
Maui Mendoza
2009
Agricultural Extension
Kimberly Zarah Bejo
2011
Agricultural Systems
Geeza June Painaga
2011
Agricultural Extension
Kim Kirstley Razon
2010
Agricultural Extension
Vina Lorraine Orolfo
2011
Agricultural Extension
Maria Rouella Guevarra
2011
Agricultural Extension
Tis project is an extension of the previous project
of ASC also supported by BAR on the Native Swine for
Lechon De Leche Production: Improving Feed Availability
Trough Integration of Sakwa as Forage Feed in Coconut
Based Production Systems implemented in San Narciso
and Mulanay, Quezon. For two years (August 2009-July
2011), the said project tested the Dos por Cinco module
of native swine sharing scheme and feed supplementation
using sakwa, or the main corm of Gabing San Fernando
(Xanthosoma sagittifolium). Te Dos por Cinco module
provides to each grower-partner two ready to breed native
swine gilt and fve piglets for fattening, who in turn will
pay in the form of piglet equivalent after weaning the litters
or selling the fatteners for lechon de leche (roasted pig).
Starting with fve grower partners as Level One in each
project site, the project extended to 15 grower partners
(Level Two) at the end of the second year with all the Level
One partners fully paying the piglets equivalent. Each of
the Level One partner paid 15-16 piglets for the two gilts
and fve piglets provided by the project. Tis project was
implemented with the local government of San Narciso
and Mulanay, Quezon; the Rural Improvement Club of
Barangay Latangan, Mulanay, Quezon and the San Juan
Native Swine Producers Association of San Juan, San
Narciso, Quezon. Te fund support is provided by the
National Agriculture and Food Council (NAFC) through
the DA-BAR. Te FAO/ILO project being coordinated by
Dr. Jaime Montesur also supported the capacity building
initiatives in the project sites.
Related to this, a Manual for Enterprise Development
with Native Swine is currently being drafted by the Project
Leaders, Dr. Mary Jean G. Bulatao and Dr. Virglio T.
Villancio in cooperation with Dr. Rene Santiago of the
National Swine and Poultry Research and Development
Center (NSPRDC) of the Bureau of Animal Industry
(BAI).
Virgilio T. Villancio
A L U M N I
6 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES NovemberDecember 2011
Soil Science Week highlights national
agenda on top of soils
The annual weeklong anniversary
celebration of UP Soil Science Society
(UPSS) was yet another success through
the collective leadership and unparalleled
camaraderie of its members. Akin to State
of the Nations Address delivered by a
Philippine President annually, the society
adopted the theme SONA 2011: Soils
on Nations Advancement as it marked
its 34th anniversary from September 5 to
9, 2011. It was a response to the national
need to address and itemise inevitable issues
on agricultural community, particularly on
Philippine setting and intensify promotion
of signifcance of soil science as a tool to
unravel and answer the issues. Also, it aimed
to promote soil science as a major feld of
study and career. Te idea focused mainly
on the larger processes that should be done
by agricultural key players to promote
public-private partnership. Further national
agenda addressed were food security, role
of soils on sustainable agriculture, urban
agriculture and declining number of soil
scientists. Te weeklong event delightfully
prepared various educational and social
activities that answered the organizations
goals and objectives.
Roll out the red carpet
Te ASH Lobby was transformed into
a SONA-like ceremonial on September
6 as the students, ASC faculty and staf,
and representatives from other cooperating
student organizations and institutions like
the Philippine Rice Research Institute
(PhilRice), International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) and Institute of Plant
Breeding of the Crop Science Cluster
(IPB-CSC) walked to the red carpet while
showing of their enticing flipiniana suits.
It was followed by speeches from Dr. Pearl
Sanchez, former SAED Division Head and
UPSSS Senior Adviser, and Dr. Enrico
Supangco, the former ASC Ofcer-in-
Charge. Both professors pinpointed the
importance of soil science and how hapless
agriculture will be in the future due to
consistent low number of BSA students
taking up this major feld.
Jacob Labita, the UPSS President,
addressed the 5-point agenda on top of
soils. He talked about several technologies
for urban needs such as Dr. Eduardo
Paningbatans Enriched Potting Preparation
(EPP), sustainable practices like organic
agriculture promoted by the Agricultural
Systems Cluster (ASC), and booming
researches and development projects
benefted by the combined eforts of public
and private sectors to meet food security.
He also said that the country is failing to
sufce its domestic needs for soil scientist.
Otherwise, all of the future advancement
will not materialize if soil scientist will be out
of the picture. An exhibit displayed several
technological products and development
(e.g. STK, MOET, etc.), and showcased
the creativity and resourcefulness of its
members. UPSSS own version of open
tambayan known as almusalan catered
breakfast such as saba, puto, pandesal and
cofee to the participants.
Splatters of soil as work of art
For the very frst time, mere soil was
used as medium to create a poster painting.
Te event was a success as the society,
with support from the UP Painters Club,
conducted obraSONA, an inter-high school
artwork competition, on the afternoon of
September 6. It was participated by students
from LBNHS, Liceo de LB and LSPU. A
short lecture and a tour to exhibit were
done to give the contestants a profound
idea about the theme. Varieties of color were
taken from various soil series found in the
countrys landscape. Te contest intended
to unravel the unforeseen uses and riches
of dirt. Te winners of the said competition
received medals, trophies and cash prizes.
A talk to cause
Te symposium dubbed as sympoSONA,
held at the ASC Lecture Hall on September
5, aimed to inform UPLB constituents about
the value and success of joint endeavors
between government and private companies
in terminating hurdles in agricultural
production. Te discussants were Arleen
Valera, Chairman of Agri Product Market
Link Cooperative and Pablito Sandoval,
current Board Member of Sugar Regulatory
Administration. Te speakers are highly
acclaimed for their achievements as agro-
entrepreneurs. Valera said that as cream
among the crops, UPLB graduates should
take the lead in engaging in a farm business
and in utilization of knowledge and skills
developed from tough training by the
university. For his message, Sandoval
discussed the mission of the sugarcane
farmers and provincial government to
increase sugar production in Batangas.
Bragging academic excellence
A tin can with overcrowding fshes inside
seems to be the appropriate depiction of
ASC Lecture Hall during virtuoSONA: Soil
Science 1 Inter-Laboratory Quiz Contest
on September 8. In this annual contest,
the organization attested their advocacy
on high academic standards. Around 50
teams composed of 3 members showed
their sportsmanship and fairness as they
fought for bragging rights, aside from prizes
at stake. EPP media and gift certifcates
were given to trivia winners. Judges of the
competition were Dr. Rodrigo B. Badayos,
former ASC Director and SAED Professor,
Mr. Edwin R. Abucay, an Assistant Professor
at the College of Human Ecology (CHE)
and Michelle B. Castillo, a senior researcher
at PhilRice Institute. Laboratory instructors
and professors like Dr. Jocelyn Labios, Dr.
Simplicio Medina, Dr. Bayani Espiritu and
Victorino Bato were also present in the said
event to support their students.
Continued on the next page...
NovemberDecember 2011 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES 7
T
owards the end of the year 2011, the Philippine
Agricultural Systems and Extension Society (PASES),
an academic organization based in the University
of the Philippines Los Baos under the ASC, carried out
their remaining activities for the year. December was a
hustle and bustle month for the organization as it was
lined with their activities such as Orientation for new
applicants, Parolan 2011 and the Paskong Paslit 2011.
Te Paskong Paslit is an annual activity of the
organization that started last 2010 where the organization
went to the Municipality of Rizal, Laguna in cooperation
with Honorable Vina Lorraine Orolfo (Municipal
Councilor). Members spent time of fun and happiness
with the community especially for the children during
the yuletide season. Tis activity is the organizations
way of giving back the blessings that they received for
the whole year.
Last December 17, 2011, the organization held
the activity to the Batang Riles in Sto. Domingo
Bay, Laguna. Tirty three kids full of excitement and
enthusiasm were all willing to participate in the activities
prepared by the organization. With the help of Dr.
VirgilioT. Villancio, PASES Junior Adviser, the event
was successfully undertaken.
Te Paskong Paslit event was flled with high-spirits as
the children were given the opportunity to enjoy as they
sing Christmas carols and join a number of games. Tey
all left smiles on their faces which brought fulfllment to
the Ates and Kuyas of PASES.
NOTE: Te Philippine Agricultural Systems and Extension
Society (PASES) is an academic organization established on
June 25, 2010 at the University of the Philippines Los Baos
(UPLB), Los Baos, Laguna. We develop nationalism, academic
excellence and leadership; advocate poverty alleviation and
sustainable agriculture; food security and equality; and socio-
economic empowerment through our skills and knowledge
abiding by its motto: Mapagkumbabang maglilingkod para
sa pag-unlad ng agrikultura ng Pilipinas. Te organization
believes that development should be system-oriented, multi-
disciplinary and participatory in considering the bio-physical,
technical, political, economic and social perspectives. We live
by our objective in propagating the cause of humanitarian
service through our knowledge and expertise in Agricultural
Systems and Agricultural Extension.
Janelle Faye Tanudtanud
PASES Shares Paskong Paslit with the
Children of Sto. Domingo, Bay, Laguna
After bash to conclude
Te last event named as concluSONA turned out to be
a night of elegance as the participants guise flled the ASH
Lobby with red and black touch. It was on September 9 when
UPSSS celebrated the success of the weeklong activities and
expressed its deep gratitude to all the signifcant contributions
of individuals, organizations and institutions especially its
alumni that indeed helped to make the anniversary festive
at the same time a worthwhile one. Te night also served
as an oath taking ceremony for new members and advisers.
Te audience were overjoyed when the Undergraduate and
Graduate student-members clashed on the dance foor. Dr.
Gina Villegas-Pangga, current SAED Division Head, brought
the closure of soil science week. As an UPSSS alumna, she
expressed her delight on the dynamism and achievements
of its members and she was optimistic about the future of
the organization.
Te society is looking forward to its future activities
and involvements. Tese will include participating on the
much-awaited salpuCAn, an inter-organization sportfest in
College of Agriculture and a regional crop science quiz contest
spearheaded by UP Horticultural Society (HortSoc), in
collaboration with UP Society of Agronomy Major Students
(UPHILSAMS) and UPSSS. With high hopes of taking
steps and eagerness to help its members and university, UP
Soil Science Society is always ready to take its palm of dirty.
SOIL FOR PROGRESS.
Jacob B. Labita
Soil Science...from Page 6
8 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES NovemberDecember 2011
Y
ellow corn (or maize) has been the focus
of more substantial corn research in the
Philippines,understandably because it is
a refection of the local and global demand for this
corn type to fll the need of the livestock (or feed)
and manufacturing industries. In 2001, Pingali and
Pandey projected that by 2020 demand for maize
in developing countries will surpass the demand
for both wheat and rice. They further anticipated
a rapid response to this increased demand by the
commercial-maize production sector, which targets
feed maize (mostly yellow maize), through the
adoption of productivity-enhancing technologies
such as hybrid seeds.However, these authors
also expressed,at that time, that the prospects for
increased productivity in the food-maize (of which
white corn is classifed) sector are less certain,
especially for the subsistence farming systems,
with the public sector as the primary source of
technology.
This is the case in the Philippines where public
research institutions have led in research and
extension efforts for white corn.For example the
Institute of Plant Breeding at UPLB, University of
Southern Mindanao (USM), and the DA RIARC-
Isabela have bred open-pollinated white corn
varieties that are widely used along with local and
native varieties in white corn areas. Yields continue
to be low for this corn type for several reasons, more
prominent of which are: (1) white corn is often grown
in more marginal upland areas largely dependent
on rainfall for irrigation, (2) input or fertilizer use is
often sub-optimal or absent in subsistence farming
systems, (3) low-yielding local varieties have been
the farmers preferred option due to cash constraints.
A renewed focus by the Department of Agriculture
on white corn, which is a major staple to a signifcant
portion of the population, is partly as a response to a
growing recognition to address food security issues.
Correspondingly, research and extension institutions
have responded to the goal of improving productivity
and income in the more marginal and subsistence
farming systems, ensuring food security in a growing
population sector that utilizes white corn as food,
and offering an alternative to rice as staple.
Researchers from the Agricultural Systems
Cluster of the College of Agriculture have responded
by proposing two projects which are now being
implemented with funding from the Department
of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agricultural
Research (DA-BAR).
White Corn As Alternative Source of Staple Food
The project on Adaptation and Dissemination of
Newly Developed Improved White Corn Varieties
As Alternative Source of Staple Food is funded
for the period June 2011 to May 2013 and is being
conducted in collaboration with DA RFU RIARCS
in Regions 2, 4A, 7 and 12 and the provincial and
municipal agriculture offices in the selected sites
in Isabela, Quezon, Bohol and North Cotabato.
It has two components: 1) On-farm participatory
varietal selection, preference analysis, and sensory
evaluation of white corn, and 2) Seed system and
outscaling of newly developed improved white corn
varieties. The main objective of the project is to
increase white fint corn productivity, yield, and
income for the farmers in the project
areas utilizing the participatory varietal
selection (PVS) approach, technology
innovations and seed systems.
For component 1, ten improved white
corn OPVs, one hybrid variety, and
farmers local varieties are included
in the participatory varietal selection
researcher-managed (PVS RM) trials
in two sites per province for agronomic
data (Labios et al, 2004 and 2009; Paris
et al, 2011). Before harvest, preference
analyses involving the farmers within
and nearby barangays are invited to
participate. From the 12 entries, farmers
select the three most preferred and the
three least preferred varieties and are
requested to list down the traits of the
corn and why they prefer them or not. In
addition, sensory evaluation of cooked
milled corn is done for fve to seven
entries. The agronomic data, preference
analysis, and sensory evaluation data will serve
as basis for better recommendation of white corn
varieties at the provincial and regional levels.
New Research Focus on White Corn:
ASC Researchers Respond to Current National Priorities
NovemberDecember 2011 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES 9
For component 2, registered seeds of IPB Var 6,
known as quality protein maize (QPM), and another
variety commonly grown in the province are used for
seed production in the RIARC stations. The amount
of certifed seeds produced will be used for the PVS
farmer-managed trials. Ten kg of white corn certifed
seeds and a guide, called PVS kit, are provided
to the farmers willing to participate. The number
of farmers involved will depend on the amount of
certifed seeds produced in the RIARC stations. A
roll-over scheme will be applied to cater to more
farmers within the barangay and from nearby
barangays. In areas that are quite far from the seed
producers or centers, like RIARCs, a community
seed banking (CSB) scheme will be adopted to
ensure continuous supply of good quality seeds. It
is expected that majority of the farmers will beneft
through this scheme
Bio-physical and socio-economic
characterizations of the selected sites are
accomplished through direct measurements and
observation, and by the use of the survey method.
The outputs of this exercise will support technical
and policy recommendations for each site.
The researchers involved in this project are Dr.
Romeo Labios (Project Leader and Agronomist),
Dr. Jocelyn Labios (Soil Scientist), Mr. Proceso
Manguiat (Plant Breeder), Mr. Leonardo Tamisin, Jr.,
Mr. Abe Cia, and Ms. Dona BaeMalayang(University
Research Associate).
Site-Specifc Nutrient Management for
White Corn
The project on Site-Specifc Nutrient Management
(SSNM) for Maize in the Philippines was launched
in 2005 by the International Plant Nutrition
Institute (IPNI) Southeast Asia Program as part
of a larger multi-national research initiative in the
Southeast Asia region to increase the productivity
and proftability of hybrid yellow maize farming
through site-specifc, integrated nutrient and crop
management approach. After the experiences
from the SSNM-Maize project (2005-2010) which
is specifc to hybrid yellow corn, a similar research
endeavor using the same approach will be
undertaken in major white corn growing areas to
develop location-specifc fertilizer recommendations
for white corn. The major objective is to improve the
productivity of white corn open pollinated varieties
(OPVs) and compare these with local varieties
grown by the farmers (ie. native and tiniguib). This
project is funded by DA-BAR, administered through
UPLBFI, for the period October 2011 to September
2013. It is being conducted in collaboration with DA
RFU RIARCS in Regions 1 to 13, CAR, ARMM and
the provincial and municipal agriculture offices in the
selected sites.
The objectives of the project are to: (1)
understand and quantify the yield potential of white
corn varieties and existing
yield gap in the main white
corn-growing areas of the
Philippines,(2) develop an
approach and tools for site
specifc nutrient management
for white corn, and (3)
disseminate SSNM for white
corn.
The project is being
implemented in one site
covering each white corn
cluster area in selected
municipalities during the 2011
to 2013 dry and wet cropping
seasons. Identifcation of
the specifc sites is the
responsibility of the SSNM
regional research team.Field
activities include (a) on-farm
trials (OFT) in fve strategic
locations (farm sites) following
omission plot techniques (Witt
et al., 2009),and (b) farmer
participatory evaluation (FPE)
with fve to ten farmers surrounding each of the fve
locations of on-farm trials. Soil and plant sampling
and related analysis will be performed.
Bio-physical and socio-economic characterization
of the selected sites will be done through direct
measurements and observation and with the use of
survey methodology. The output of this exercise will
support technical and policy recommendations for
each site.
The researchers involved in this project are
Dr. Romeo Labios (Project Coordinator and
Agronomist), Dr. Apolonio Ocampo (Project Leader
and Soil Scientist), Dr. Jocelyn Labios (Co-Project
Leader and Soil Scientist) and Mr. Jacob Labita
(University Research Associate).
Jocelyn D. Labios and Romeo V. Labios
10 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES NovemberDecember 2011
O
ne of the project of the
Agricultural Systems Cluster is
Enhancing Sustainable Farm
Productivity and Income through
Integrated Rice-based Farming
Systems, with Dr. Florentino C.
Monsalud as Project Leader. It is under
the Program entitled Sustainable
Development and Utilization of
Resources Program for Rice-based
Agroecosystem (SURPRESA). Te
project started in 2009 with Bgy.
Escribano, San Juan, Batangas as the
project site in collaboration with the
Ofce of the Municipal Agriculturist
and the Local Government
Unit of San Juan, Batangas. Te
project extended to the adjoining
municipalities of Padre Garcia and
Rosario, Batangas. SURPRESA is
being implemented as a part of the
UPLB-PhilRice collaboration. Te
ASC team is led by the Director as
the Project Leader with Dr. Hospicio
G. Natural Jr, Rene L. Limosinero,
and Leonardo L. Tamisin as Study
Leaders assisted by Isabelo Zarate as
researcher.
Te general objective of the project
is to provide an efective mechanism
by which the economic well-being of
the farmers and communities in the
rainfed rice areas can be improved.
Specifcally, the project aims to
improve the production systems in
the target area and improve farm
productivity and income of the
rainfed rice farmers through the crop-
livestock integration and product
diversifcation.
At the start of the project, the
activities conducted in the area
focused on identifying the factors
that limit the yield and income of the
rainfed rice farmers. Te following
were identifed: water availability,
crop establishment, high price of
agrochemicals and low selling price
of palay. Cooperators were selected
in consultation with the local
government unit. Demonstration
plots were then established to
showcase the component technologies
of the rice production system that
were deemed necessary to improve
their production system such as
proper land preparation, use of
drum seeder for seed establishment
instead of broadcasting the seeds, use
of registered/certifed rice varieties,
proper pest management and nutrient
management.
As of this time, the farmers were
able to save 50% on seed cost
with the use of drumseeder. Yields
were also increasing as a result of
the use of certifed seeds, proper
pest management and nutrient
management.
Another task is to improve farm
productivity and income of the
rice farmers through the crop-
livestock integration and product
diversification. Rice production
alone will not give enough income
to the rainfed rice farmers. In
2011, animals (specifcally goat)
were integrated in their production
system. The goat enterprise is
envisioned to be supplementary,
as well as, complementary to rice
enterprise. Te co-operators have
thus improved their production asset
thereby giving them the opportunity
to increase productivity and income.
Another activity is the introduction of
upland crops (white corn/mungbean/
cowpea) to areas which practices the
rice-fallow system.
Isabelo Zarate
SURPRESA in the rainfed rice
areas of Batangas
NovemberDecember 2011 ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES 11
Organic Farming: Towards Food Sufciency
and Healthy Environment was the theme of the 8
th

National Organic Agriculture Conference (NOAC)
held at the Aquino Center, Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac
City on November 8-11, 2011. The conference
was participated in by organic practitioners and
advocates from government and non-government
organizations, research institutions, academe,
business industry, organic consumers, students,
peoples organizations, and private individuals.
In his message, Hon. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino
Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines
expressed his condence that the rice sufciency
target will be achieved, and there will be no
importation of rice in 2012. He also congratulated
Hon. Proceso J. Alcala, Secretary of the DA for the
endless effort and in making agriculture programs a
realization and in his advocacy for organic farming
as countrywide development program of the
Department of Agriculture (DA). Hon. Victor A. Yap,
Governor, Tarlac City gave the welcome address.
The NOAC is a regular annual activity to promote
and provide updates on the development of
organic agriculture in the country. The conference
included trade fair and exhibit of organic products
and awarding of Gawad Saka Outstanding Organic
Agriculture Farmer. During the press conference,
Secretary Alcala and Governor Yap responded to
various questions about the national agriculture
programs specically on organic farming and how
the city of Tarlac is responding to the challenges
of organic farming towards the implementation of
RA 10068 or the Organic Agriculture Act 2010.
Governor Yap informed the group that they have
integrated organic farm located at Baligabo, Tarlac
City where organic practices and technology are
being showcased.
The second day of the conference was the
presentation of the status of organic agriculture
programs and projects in Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao, NOAB roadmap, and organic farming in
national convergence initiative sites,Then on the 3
rd

day was breakout sessions that focused on organic
agriculture research and technology updates
and marketing tools and strategies for organic
products. The last day of the conference was
devoted for visiting the organic farms managed
by the Ofce of the Governor at Baligabo, Tarlac
and the Department of Agriculture Region -3. The
NOAC was organized by the Bureau of Agriculture
Fisheries and Products Standards (BAFPS).
Four technical staff of the ASC actively
participated in the conference namely: Drs.
Blesilda M. Calub, Edna Luisa A. Matienzo and
Ms. Myra Atienza-Tenorio, University Researchers
and Dr. Eduardo P. Paningbatan participated as
exhibitor. The ofcers of the Samahang Magsasaka
sa Paraang Organiko sa Kaunlaran ng Tayabas
(SAMA PO KATA), Tayabas City, Quezon; the
Organic Farmers Association of Pagbilao (OFAP),
Inc. Pagbilao, Quezon ; and the Bauan Organic
Farming Association (BOFA). Bauan, Batangas
City also participated in the conference. The rst
two LGUs and farmer partner organizations are
ASC partners in the project titled Sustainable
Community-based Commercialization of Organic
Vegetables while Promoting Food Security and
Food Safety at the Barangay Level funded by the
DA-BAR. The project started on May 2011 and will
end on May 2013.
Myrna A. Tenorio and Edna Luisa A. Matienzo
ASC Staff participates in NOAC
ASC UPDATES ASC UPDATES
Agricultural Systems Cluster
College of Agriculture, UPLB
College, Laguna 4031
D
r. Florentino C. Monsalud, referred
to as FCM by colleagues, is the
3
rd
Director of the Agricultural
Systems Cluster (ASC) of the College of
Agriculture (CA), UPLB efective November
1, 2011-October 31, 2014. He succeeded
Dr. Rodrigo B. Badayos from June 1,
2005May 31, 2011 with Dr. Enrico P.
Supangco, Vice Chancellor for Research and
Extension (OVCRE) as OIC efective June
1, 2011 to October 31, 2011. Dr. Eduardo
P. Paningbatan was the frst Director of ASC
from June 1, 2003-November 8, 2004.
Being a director is no longer new to him
as he had served in various lead capacities at
ASC. He was the Deputy Director of ASC
from October 2007-May 2011. He also
served as the Director of FSSRI from August
1998-May 2003, as head of the Soils and
Agro-ecosystems Division (SAED) from May
2009-May 2010 and the Integrated Farming
Systems and Agricultural Extension Division
(IFSAED) of ASC from March 2006-May
2008. He was the Deputy Director of
FSSRI and Head of Administrative Division
concurrently in September 1993-July 1998.
Dr. Monsalud started his career from
the bottom as a Research Aide in 1979 and
through hard work and perseverance rose to
University Researcher IV position until 2007.
He was promoted as Assistant Professor 4 in
2010 and now is an Assistant Professor 5.
He completed his BS in Agriculture, major
in Soil Science at the College of Agriculture,
University of the Philippines Los Banos (CA-
UPLB) in 1979, his MS in Soil Science at CA-
UPLB in 1986 and his Doctor of Agricultural
Science degree in Kyoto University, Kyoto,
Japan in 1996. His felds of specialization
are Soil Conservation and Management, and
Farming Systems.
His work experience is also varied. To
mention a few, he served as a national expert
in the Project for Stabilization of Upland
Agriculture in El Nio Vulnerable Countries
under the UN ESCAP CGPRT Centre from
August 2000-March 2003; as a Farming
System Specialist under the Farming Systems
Evolution for Sustainable Agriculture and
Rural Development Project from March
2003- August 2005; as Assistant Team Leader
and Farming System Specialist for the Rapid
Farming Systems Appraisal Central and
Southern Cordillera Project (Phase I) from
August-September 1999; and as a Research
Fellow in a Comprehensive Education and
Community Development Project in Dauis,
Bohol in Education Research Program, UP
Diliman, Nov. 1998-February 2000. He was
also involved as Program, Project and Study
Leader in various research undertakings in
the cluster.
Dr. Monsalud has earned three publications
in refereed journals with other co-authors and
several other publications under diferent
felds in Soil Science and Farming Systems.
He received an Achievement Award from
the Philippine Society of Soil Science and
Technology during its 2007 Annual Meeting
and Conference.
Dr. Monsalud would like to orchestrate
the delivery of the mandate of ASC with
high motivation, harmony, transparency
and collegiality among its faculty and staf.
He is hopeful to achieve the set vision and
mission of the cluster with the able leadership
of his chosen Executive Committee members.
Tey are Dr. David D. Manalo as Deputy
Director and Research Coordinator; Dr.
Gina Villegas-Pangga, Head-SAED; Dr.
Mary Jean G. Bulatao, Head-IFSAED; Dr.
Virgilio T. Villancio, Extension Coordinator
and Dr. Simplicio M. Medina, Instruction
Coordinator.
With Dr. Monsalud at the helm, ASC
could make a unique impact especially in
the felds of agricultural systems analysis and
agricultural extension in the upliftment of the
plight of the poor and marginalized farmers.
Simeona C. Seminiano
FCM at the helm of ASC

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