Two University research papers bagged the gold award for both the organic agriculture and socio-economic research category in the 31st DA-BAR National Research Symposium (NRS) held at the Bureau of Soils and Water Convention Hall, Diliman, Quezon City on October 16-17, 2019.

The research of Cheryll C. Launio, Kacy O. Labon, Alladin M. Bañez and Ruth S. Batani titled Analysis of using Biological Control and Biofertilizer in Philippine Highland Farming: Case of Trichoderma koningii won the gold award for socio-economic category.

Head researcher Cheryll C. Launio said she was only expecting to have the bronze or silver award since the other papers presented were also good.

“I think what made it standout was that we were able to present the contributing evidence that there is an economic value of research specifically on the topic of biological control which is also a product of research,” Launio said.

In their study, based on the calculated benefits and costs including Research and Development that promoted Trichoderma koningii from 2009 to 2018, T. koningii earned 49% internal rate of return or Php. 4, 291, 728 net present value. The benefit-cost ratio is 3.42, which means that for every 1 peso cost invested, the society benefitted 3.42 pesos.

Trichoderma koningii, a biological control agent that has the function of facilitating organic compost, has been developed by the University and is being produced through the BSU Plant Health Clinic.

Also, they were able to find out that Trichoderma koningii is being used mostly by organic and Good Agricultural Practices producers specifically as biofungicide, soil nutrient and compost enhancer.

Meanwhile, the research of Belinda A. Tad-awan, Hector C. Gayomba, Teresita D. Masangcay, Jasmin M. Chomawat, Wilner S. Mauting, Virginia A. Tapat and Magdalena T. Wanawan titled Increasing Productivity and Value Heirloom Rice Landraces in the Cordillera Highlands through Variety Evaluation and Organic Production Technologies was the first recipient of the gold award for the newly-added category in the conference-Organic Agriculture Research.

Out of 199 research paper entries down to 80 qualifiers, only 27 finalists have been selected to present in 31st National Research Symposium themed “Gearing up the Agri-Fisheries Sector through Holistic R&D towards Regenerative Development”.

DA-BAR Director Dr. Nicomedes P. Eleazar stressed during the awarding ceremony that this year’s national research symposium gives emphasis on research that are aimed toward a sustainable, modernized and regenerative future for the Philippine agricultural sector.

The NRS is an annual event to recognize Filipino Scientists and Researchers from DA staffs bureau, attached agencies, state universities and colleges and others government agencies conducting research in the field of agriculture and fisheries.//DSEmok