Benguet State University (BSU), in partnership with the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST), held an online exit conference for DOST- PCAARRD BalikScientist Dr. Zenaida N. Ganga on February 22, 2022. Dr. Ganga with BSU researchers and staff were present at the Rogelio Dulay Colting Sr. Hall, BSU Administration Building. Attendees came from different research institutes and stakeholders were present online via Zoom.

Dr. Ganga is an independent consultant for potato research and production. She was formerly associated with various international academic and private institutions such as the University of Maine (U.S.A.), Cavendish Farms Corporation (Canada), and the Asia and Pacific Seed Association (Thailand). She was also a former professor and director for the Northern Philippines Root Crops Research and Training Center here at BSU. Dr. Ganga rendered her expertise by working with multiple Research and Extension (R&E) units and the College of Agriculture as Balik-Scientist from June 01 to November 27, 2021, a period of 6 months.

During the exit conference, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora delivered his welcoming remark and talked about how Dr. Ganga strengthened the potato variety improvement and supplication program of the DOST-PCAAARD. Dr. Ebora extended his thanks and appreciation to BSU and NPRCRTC.

“It is also important to note that we need to sustain the process of knowledge sharing and support whatever change that has been introduced by the Balik-Scientist,” he added.

Atty. Allan C. Sacpa, Vice President for Administration and Finance, attended as President Comila’s representative. Atty. Sacpa extended his gratitude to DOST-PCAARD, especially to Dr. Ganga, for sharing her expertise in helping researchers in BSU. Atty. Sacpa, believes that this will not be the end of the collaboration since Dr. Ganga assures that she will continue to assist BSU despite the end of the program.

Dr. Ganga highlighted two parts of her presentation. The first presentation was about the potato industry in the Philippine highlands. She was able to determine the challenges and problems of potato production in the highlands. She explained the need for new varieties. Dr. Ganga and her colleagues were able to propose Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Variety Improvement for the Philippine Highland and hope to catch the attention of PCAARD and other funding agencies. Though the proposal focuses on the highlands, Dr. Ganga explained that it is a work in progress and hopes it can soon cover the whole country where potatoes are produced.

The second part of the highlight was the accomplishment in BSU. Aside from proposing and starting the potato variety improvement, she became a lecturer during training and seminars, served as an evaluator giving her comments and recommendations, and donated technical books to NPRCRTC. Dr. Ganga was pleased to assist the different Research Units with her expertise as a researcher, lecturer, and trainer. “The highlight of my career was the DOST-PCAARD Balik-Scientist program here in BSU,” she said. “To BSU headed by Dr. Felipe Salaing Comila, thank you so much for the opportunity. I considered it as a privilege and an honor to have worked with the university,” she added.

The conference progressed with impressions from BSU and DOST-PCAARD. Both parties thanked Dr. Ganga for her support as Balik-Scientist and hope to see her again in future research. Dr. Melvin B. Carlos, the DOST-PCAARD and ARMMS Deputy Executive Director, gave the closing remarks. In Dr. Carlos’ message, he congratulated Dr. Zenaida N. Ganga for her efforts and accomplishments despite the pandemic. “We would like to thank Dr. Ganga for her invaluable time, expertise, and service that you shared,” he added. He also lauded BSU’s efforts in welcoming the Balik-Scientist. Dr. Carlos encourages BSU to continue providing support to Balik-Scientist in the future.//AKCarino