The Philippines and CGIA 63373 S 542.P6 P34 2002 C:2 PARTNERSHIP IN ArnON Foreword 2 Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (ClAT) 5 Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) 11 Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz yTrigo (CIMMYT) 15 Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) 19 International Center for living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM) 26 International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) 33 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 41 International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) 46 International Institute ofTropical Agriculture (IITA) 50 International livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 53 International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) 60 International R,ice Research Institute (IRRI) 67 International Services for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) 73 International Water Management Institute (IWMI) 79 Acronyms of Organizations 84 Foreword ix years ago, the Philippines' Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA) was passed into law. Considered as landmark legislation for the country's agriculture sector, it mandates the transformation of Philippine agriculture from a "resource-based" to a "technology-based" industry. The law provides special importance to research as a key instrument in the modernization of Philippine agriculture, such that it stipulates a minimum investment of at least one percent of the gross value added in agriculture (GVA) for public sector research. AFMA recognizes the important roles that the public and private sectors play in agriculture research; therefore, the law mandates that government must undertake its role in partnership with various private and civil societies, and agencies involved in agriculture research. The law also recognizes that the country's R&D system is rather diffused and lacks optimal efficiency; therefore, it orders the Department of Agriculture to integrate and strengthen the National Research and Development System in Agriculture & Fishery (NaRDSAF). Basically, public sector research is carried out by various institutes, centers, and bureaus under the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Science and Technology, and the state colleges and universities of agriculture and fisheries . The law also recognizes that agriculture research is a global activity; therefore, the country must develop mechanisms for effective partnerships to accelerate technology and knowledge generation and transfer. Herein lies the impOltance of the international agricultural research centers under the Consultative Group on Interna­ tional Agricultural Research (CGIAR), of which the Philippines is a member. The Philippines views its member­ ship to the CGIAR as an investment on its own interest to help address the national as well as the global issues of food security, poverty alleviation, rural poverty, and sustainable development. The Philippine agricultural research system began its relationship with the international agricultural research centers, particularly with the International Rice Research Institute, in the early 60s. To date, the Philippine agricultural research system maintains linkages with the follOWing CGIAR centers: • Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (ClAD • Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) • Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT) • Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP) • International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (lCLARM) • International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (iCRAF) • International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (lCRlSAD • International Food Policy Research Institute (lFPRl) • International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (I1TA) • International Livestock Research Institute (lLRl ) • International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRl) • International Rice Research Institute (IRRl) • International Services for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR) • International Water Management Institute (IWMI) The Philippines' partnerships with the CGIAR centers have grown and expanded from joint research undertakings to institutional development. TIle benefits that the countIy has derived from these partnerships are highlighted in the summary below: • Institution building: IRRI was instrumental in the establishment of the Philippine Rice Research Institute. Learnings from conferences and exchange programs redound back to the local research institutions in the form of improved manpower skills and agency research outputs. • Technology development and varietal improvement: IRRl, CIMMYT, C!P, IPGRl-INIBAP, ICRlSAT, and IITA have all contributed to the country's improved germplasm collection for various crops. 2 • Training and technology sharing: Thousands of Filipinos have been trained in specialized training programs of IRRI , CIP, CIMMYT, IPGRl-INIBAP, ISNAR, ICRlSAT, ICRAF, ILRl, lITA, ICLAfu\1, and IWMI. • Research capability building: Filipino scientists have benefited from joint research undertakings, technical assistance programs, and participation in international conferences and workshops, through the exchange of views, experiences, and learnings. On the occasion of the CGIAR's Annual General Meeting in Manila this year, the Philippines' Department of Agriculture and GCIAR look back on a partnership that covers over four decades. This book highlights the partnership of the Philippines' agricultural research agencies and many of the CGIAR centers as it has evolved through the years. The book itself is a product of partnership, as the articles were contributed by the centers themselves. CGIAR heads meet the President,Aprii 200 I. Left to right: Lito Sarmiento, Presidential Adviser on Agricultural Modernization: Leocadio Sebastian, Executive Director, Philippine Rice Research Institute; Hank Fitzhugh, Director General, ILRI; Ronald Cantrell, Director General, IRRI; H.E. Madam Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines;William Dar, Director General, ICRISAT; Gurdev Kush, former rice breeder at IRRI and winner of the World Food Prize; and Leonardo Montemayor, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Philippines 3 FUTURE HARV/EST f ., ... .....=.;:-_. ....nMllltl.nIICnpI •• ~"In"''''''r IPmRNA,","'AL RlL't RE.government's main arm financing big expenditures such as school fees, constmction, or in planning, coordinating, evaluating, and monitoring the national investment in small husiness. Poultry and sometimes goats provide research and development program in agriculture. forestry, and the family with a valuahle source of dietary protein. Manure of all natural resources. It was ohvious thaI PCARRD was ClAYs livestock enhances the growth of important crops. In short, research partner from the start. 5 A farmer herds a water bufallo. which is traditionally used for irrigated rice cultivation in the Philippines. As will be illustrated in the next section, CIAT's collaborative approaches. Without any structural dissemination efforts, this work research has an adaptive nature-most research is carried out on led to more than 1,700 upland farmers evaluating forages in the farm, often with various decisionmaking stages in farmers' hands. Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Lao PDR One important output on the agreed research agenda is the CTuhulele 2000). scaling out of forage technologies and research processes. In other words, a system is being developed that enables reaching farmers in an exponential way. At the farm level, the Philippine govern­ ment is represented by agricultural technicians, under supervision of the municipal agricultural officer. These staff have the mandate and experience to work with farmers on development issues~ They are our partners in the field and they have proved to be excellent facilitators of participatory research. New approaches Inspite of more than 40 years of research on forage technologies in Southeast Asia, remarkable little adoption by farmers had taken place, until recently. The traditional research approach of interviews with farmers, identification of problems by develop­ ment workers, development of technical solutions by researchers, and demonstration of technologies by model-farmers did not result in spontaneous adoption. Success has been booked in the An interplay of hands signifies the successful participatory past 6 years, by revolutionizing research on development of approach to research on development of forage technologies forage technologies with smallholder farmers, using participatory with smallholder farmers. 6 The conventional research and development approach has worked well for certain food crops such as rice or maize. Some of the reasons this method has not led to adoption of forages are: • Growing forages is a new concept for most farmers, unlike growing food crops. • Farmers' needs for forages are diverse. There are many different types of livestock, and there are many different ways forages can be grown, managed, and harvested. • Planting material of forages in the tropics has often not been locally available on affordable, commercial scale. Forage research through CIAT and CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research organisation), funded by AusAid, started in Southeast Asia in 1992. More than 500 forage species and accessions from CIAT (Colombia) and CSIRO (Australia) gene banks were introduced. For practical reasons, initial screening of the environmental adaptability of the numerous varieties started on-station at a few sites. In 1995 the AusAID: funded Forages for Smallholders Project (FSP phase 1) was started. At this stage, the number of candidate species for farmers was reduced to a manageable size, and experimentation continued to develop not only suitable forage technologies but also to appropriate research methodologies. The farmer evaluation method of Ashby (1990) was used as a starting point. Farmers participate in Forages for Smallholders Project (FSP). FSP phase I finished in 1999, and FSP phase II was funded by the Asian Development Bank for 3 years starting in 2001. A research and development strategy based on participatory the species recommended for evaluation by new farmers. approaches has been developed and summarized in a flow The inventory of feed resources, step 4, can be made a diagram (Fig. 1). The normal sequence of events is from 1 to 10, researchable issue if little is known about this. Nutritive value of but there is no fIXed formula. The first step is to gather secondary local vegetation can be determined through participatory studies information and to carry out a rapid rural appraisal. Secondary with key informants and through laboratory analysis (Roothaert et information gives us an indication of the nature of the farming al 2001). systems, livestock densities, and farm problems. Sometimes, useful Where feasible, new farmers are taken on cross-visits to other diagnostic studies have already been carried out. Many stakehold­ farmers who have been working with the project for several years ers can be involved in this initial appraisal-farmers, veterinary (step 6). Farmers with extensive forage experience are the best officers, district and provincial staff. From this information, we can advocates to show how forages can make an impact on liveli­ assess whether there is a need and opportunity for working in the hoods, the livestock, and the environment. During these cross­ area. If there is a need, we train extension workers from several viSits, new farmers receive planting materials from the old farmers; districts in forage agronomy, participatory research, and gender they take these home to plant on their own farms. The new analysis. After we have selected motivated extension workers farmers plant test plots or strips, which are evaluated regularly by during the training course, we conduct participatory diagnoses both farmers and field staff (step 7). and planning in selected villages where the initial appraisal has Some key farmers receive training on certain topics that shown there is a need and opportunity. interest them and that complement their on-farm research (step 8). Problem diagnosis is followed by planning research and Farmers that have evaluated new forage germplasm in small-plots development activities to evaluate solutions to specific problems or strips expand those species or accessions that show good that might be solved using the farmers' own resources supple­ growth (step 9). Concurrently with the expansion activities, an mented by seed and technical inputs from the project. Farmer interest in multiplication systems is developed (step 10). Often, the groups may already exist. If not, we work with those farmers who original test plots become multiplication plots to produce have identified themselves during the diagnosis as being willing to vegetative planting materials. Seed production is often low, invest their time and resources in testing new technologies. especially in humid climates. If there is a strong market demand Regular farmer meetings are facilitated by field workers and, often, for seeds such as improved accessions of Leucaena /eucocepbala stable groups develop from these meetings. or Centrosema pubescens, some individual farmers may choose to Research issues identified at step 3 often involve the develop seed production systems. Monitoring and evaluation is evaluation of improved forage species for biomass production, integrated in the research and development. Some activities are drought resistance, and quality under farm conditions. The project e'dSier to evaluate than others, for example, progress of steps 7 initially evaluated some 500 species and accessions of forage and 9 are easy to assess, whereas the effects of steps 3 and 6 are grasses and legumes. Of these 25-40 are widely adapted and are more difficult to quantify. The green text and arrows show the 7 1. Secondary information and rural appraisal - . 2. Training of extension workers in forage agronomy, participatory ' " research and gender analysis 3. Participatory diagnosis and planning, formation - . 4. Inventory of feed resources: of groups - crop residues Monitoring - local grasses, shrubs and trees and evaluation of processes ' " options 6. Cross-visits of '" 5. Improved forage -. 12. On-station research; type A and B research key farmers and field workers with 7. Test plots ....... 8. Focus group training sessions 'old sites' on farm ~ Monitoring and 10. Development of multiplication t evaluation of forage species Scallng- +- Expert systems by farmers 9. Expansion out farmers at ~ within farm -. Monitoring and /,,'m~:O" '"'0"_' evaluation of forage systems Key farmers become livelihood and -. Monitoring experts and recipients of environment and croa-vlslts evaluation of Impacts Fig. I. Research and development strategy of the Forages for Smallholden Project pathways of scaling out. The cycle is repeated with new farmers in which they are used is up to the farmers themselves. The in new places. consequences have been both successful and surprising. Brave new dairying venture transforms upland villages Thriving markets for buffalo milk and exotic forages in Mindanao The village of Pagalungan clings to a wooded ridge in the It's a brave farmer who would hunker down every morning to mountainous countryside west of southern Philippines' city of hand-milk a buffalo. The very name conjures up a reputation for Cagayan de Oro. For generations, its farmers eked a gritty awesome strength and unpredictable temperament. But the existence from sloping fields laid naked by loggers and subse­ buffalo referred to here are not the lumbering beasts of burden quently cropped to exhaustion. Their crops of maize, mungbean, that are a ubiquitous part of the Southeast Asian countryside. They and coconut provided a bare existence, but their cattle and are bred in India and Pakistan for their ability to produce milk, buffalo, few as they were, failed to survive the local shortage of and they come with a reputation for capricious behavior. They fodder. Everyday farmers had to either lead them long distances are, nevertheless, the focal point of one of the most unlikely over precipitous paths to rough pasture or cover the same dairying ventures in the most unexpected of places. distance to cut fodder and carry it home. Despite such efforts, the Former subsistence farmers in Mindanao have formed a quality of the feed was too poor to keep the animals in good rapidly expanding cooperative that supplies buffalo milk to an health. eager local market. The venture was sparked by the FSP, a That all changed a few years ago when a local veterinary collaborative project of CIAT, PCARRD and the City Veterinary officer, Dr. Perla Asis, entered into collaboration with scientists of Office of Cagayan de Oro City, and funded by the Asian Develop­ the FSP. With a handful of seeds, she persuaded about 25 local ment Bank (ADB). One noteworthy aspect of the project is the farmers to plant exotic forage species around their houses. The involvement of farmers themselves in the research process. In grim pallor of poverty has since lifted from Pagalungan. There are essence, scientists offer groups of farmers a range of forage new houses built of concrete, with fibro-cement roofs. The species they know are suited to tropical climates and soil types children are vigorous and bright-eyed. A few hundred feet below and are palatable and nutritious for farm animals. The grasses and the village, the grassy banks of a swift stony river are dotted with trees are planted and managed with expert advice, but the manner carabao. 8 The animals spend their mornings grazing and regrazing the big animals are more than commonly amenable to tenderness and lean pickings beside the river and wallowing in the water, affection. Their legendary wildness has been replaced by docility. "building their appetites," their owners say. The afternoons and Each recognizes its given name and lives closely with its human nights are spent tethered or penned close to the homes of their family. Nevertheless, it's perhaps a blessing that the horns of the owners, eating their fill of exotic forage grasses and tender tree dairy buffalo are not as broad and well-developed as those of the clippings, all grown nearby on tiny farms averaging no more than draft breeds. 3 hectares in size. At present, each farm supports an average of two animals. The forage is cut and carried to the animals and New forages boost dairy cattle production quickly regrows, to be cut again. In such communities ownership of cattle and buffalo has Such is their affection for buffalo that the farmers of Pagalungan long been regarded as a sign of personal wealth, and the carabao prefer them to conventional dairy cattle breeds. Not so in the farmers of Pagalungan are unabashed in their claim to new village of Lumbia, just a few kilometers distant. Here, the FSP has wealth. But it didn't come as a stroke of instant good fortune. created an almost identical success story. But, in the case of They were, at first, unconvinced of the wisdom of planting what Lumbia, the farmers have opted for dairy breeds, particularly they saw as exotic weeds. But they persevered with the first batch Holstein Friesians crossed with tropical breeds. of about 15 different grasses and legumes and quickly recognized One important aspect of improved fodder has been increased the benefits. reproductive performance, and the farmers are intent on "upgrad­ With the help of CIAT researchers and local collaborators, the ing" their livestock from small-statured local breeds to internation­ range of forage species grown at Pagalungan has risen to more ally recognized dairy breeds, using artificial insemination, among than 30. Names like Pennisetum purpureum, Panicum maximum, other methods. As well, the National Dairy Authority, an agency of Paspalum atratum, Gliricidia sepium, and Arachis pinto; have the Philippine Department of Agriculture, provides heifers on the become part of the local farmers' vocabulary. The grass species basis of repayment in kind within 5 years. range from dense, I-meter-high high thickets of glossy green to The farmers receive about US30 cents per liter for their milk gray-green stands with seed heads fully 2 meters high. Then there and, almost without exception, are also selling forage planting are the ground cover species, spreading in lush, humid carpets up materials to others. Unlike the large scale of pasture growth for to half a meter deep, protecting the soil from the tropical sun. dairying in other parts of the world, these farmers measure their Many are also legumes, adding nitrogen to the soil. Finally, there forage plots in square meters. Nevertheless, the transformation of are the tree species that not only provide livestock fodder but also their previous subsistence lifestyle is impressive. shade and soil enrichment. The chairman of the Lumbia United Farmers' Multipurpose The number of farmers cultivating the forage species has Cooperative, Nectale Ragasajo, proudly boasts that he has grown as qUickly as planting materials have become available. In supported his wife's ambition to become a school teacher, and she 1998, a group of 22 farmers formed the Pagalungan Tribal Settlers' is in her final year of study for her Bachelor of Science degree in Multipurpose Cooperative. At last count, the membership had elementary education. As well, he says, there has been a marked grown to 60 and was expanding rapidly. The formation of the improvement in local lifestyle. The farmers' children are healthier, cooperative enabled members to obtain small-scale government and families are now able to afford more than the bare necessities. loans and to acquire female buffalo from the Philippine Carabao The Lumbia cooperative is looking forward to the day when it can Center, an agency of the Department of Agriculture. Payment for afford its own milk processing facility. each female involves giving back to the government agency the first and third of its calves. Anancial and social benefits of the FSP in Minadano,Philippines Each of the dairy buffaloes gives 1 to 4 liters of milk every morning and, at Pagalungan, this currently amounts to about 40 Cagayan de Oro City and Malitbog Municipality have been the liters a day. The farmers have equipped their own small process­ focus sites for FSP since 1996. In April 2002, a study was con­ ing facility, where the milk is pasteurized, and with the addition of ducted to assess the impact of improved forage technologies on sugar, corn starch, chocolate flavoring, and water, is bottled for the communities. It was clear that forages introduced by FSP sale as "Chocomilk." It is sold locally and in the city of Cagayan increased animal production, improved soil conservation, and de Oro. saved farmers time. The reduced labor time enabled households The farmers are paid about US40 cents per liter for milk that with low labor and land availability to acquire animals and they claim is richer and more nutritious than milk from dairy allowed others to increase their herd size. Planting forages in cattle. As well, they make big lump sums from the occasional sale contour lines increased crop production slightly and allowed the of unwanted animals, and there's a big demand for planting establishment of sustainable production systems through the material from their forage crops, such as seed, root stock, or stem returns from livestock. These changes resulted in a Significantly cuttings. For example, each sack of P purpureum stem cuttings, higher household income from livestock per labor day for the sufficient to plant about 150 square meters of forage, is worth adopters of new forages, and had a positive effect on the overall about us60 cents, so virtually every Pagalungan farmer is involved livelihood of the farm household. The mean income of livestock in the new forage trade. production per hectare of new forage was about equal to that According to the farmers who run the daily gamut of fickle from unfertilized maize. temperament and scimitar horns to hand-milk their buffalo, the 9 Alima worked for 6 years now, these results are evident. There are still hundreds of other municipalities in the country on which where a In the Philippines it is common to share your livestock with others.You similar project could have an impact. Extending the results to can decide to let someone else keep your cow. and share the benefits. a these places is a matter of more than just replication. We have system known as alima. Benefits are usually the offspring. which are learned that, even within munidpalities, livestock systems differ a divided alternately; or it can be the increase in liveweight, which is cashed if the animal is slaughtered. and then divided equally.Whatever lot, and there is thus the need for appropriate forage species for the system. it is important that the formula of sharing is clear before each animal spedes and management system. The participatory the allma starts. Farmers can have a mix of allma systems within a herd. research process needs to be scaled out in stead of the technolo­ gies to be disseminated; impacts will automatically follow if the right pathways are followed. It is our challenge to create aware­ Particularly in Malitbog, forages reduced the tasks of women ness of the methodology. The FSP focus sites will forever play an and children such as herding and collecting grass, whereas men important role in scaling out, also at national level. We need to executed more tasks than before. In Cagayan de Oro, men, fmd sources of funding and people committed to train municipal women, and children all profited from saved time as the overall staff throughout the country, where local circumstances provide labor input decreased. Saved time was generally invested in an opportunity for improved forages to improve the livelihoods of increasing animal numbers or extending crop activities. The large smallholder upland farmers. increase in the animal numbers of early adopters in Cagayan de CIAT in the Philippines has one international and two Oro resulted in an increased labor input. This created labor in national professional staff, as of October 2002. There are opportu­ rural areas and reduced labor migration of young people. The nities to collaborate with other agricultural and development introduction of cutting and carrying reduced the destruction of projects, where all parties would benefit from complementation crops and effected social life in villages where herding was and synergy. An example is the Cordillera Highland Agricultural previously conducted on communal range land. The decrease in Resource Management (CHARM) project. This project works in crop destruction reduced the frequency of conflicts and enabled mountainous provinces where CIAT has not worked before, but the extension of crop areas. The participatory approach of FSP with a good opportunity for improving livestock productivity changed the attitude of fieldworkers and increased the number of through forages. Participatory research methods have already been farmers interested in training, workshops, and cross project visits. used, and the FSP forage approach could result in relatively quick This extended the impact of FSP to farmers' knowledge of soil additional impacts. More CIAT staff would be needed though to conservation, crop rotation and intercropping. Farmers also began facilitate such activities in a very different geographical area within to use participatory tools to facilitate dedsionmaking in their other the Philippines. activities. A large profit in the business of smallholder cattle and buffalo Improved forage adoption made an important contribution to production is made by middlemen; farmers often sell their animals poverty reduction, espedally if farm households were the owners when they need the money and when prices have dropped 200Al of the animals. The local alima system prevented farmers with or more. In the absence of weighing equipment, there is no animals in trust from experiencing significant increases in income objective way of assessing Iiveweights in the rural areas, which are from livestock. The labor return, for early adopters with livestock the basis of payment to the cattle rearers. There seems to be in trust, was equal to the control group. Generally, people using scope for better organization of communities to be better land as tenants or caretakers could not profit from supplementary informed about market situations and marketing options. This is labor investments and, to reduce poverty, these systems should be an area where the next phase of FSP wants to research on with abolished. farming communities. A proposal for funding for another 3 years starting in 2003 is under consideration by the ADB. Other areas Future plans in the Philippines where the project wants to elaborate in are a better strategic use of improved forages and other feed resources, and the use of The FSP has made an impact on livelihood of farmers through geographic information systems tools to help predict adoption of saving labor and improving land management and livestock forage options. productiVity. At the focus municipalities, where the project has 10 Center for International Forestry Research www.cifor.org Headquarters: Bogor, Indonesia Founded 1993 Joined the CGIAR 1993 CIFOR was established in response to global concerns about the social, environmental, and economic consequences offorest loss and degradation. Its research produces knowledge and methods needed to improve the well-being of forest-dependent people, and to help countries manage theirforests wiselyfor sustained benefits. This research takes place in more than two dozens countries, in collaboration with numerous partners. Since CIFOR was founded, it has also played a central role in influencing global and nationalforestry policies. he Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Space for Local Forest Management in Asia. The study sought to has been collaborating with Philippine research understand the impact of devolution policies in the Philippines, institutions for a number of years on work in the forest India, and China, and to explore ways of empowering local sector. Forests and forestry are an important part of the communities under these policies. Philippines' ecosystem and economy, supporting millions of In the Philippines, the cases highlighted people and generating millions of dollars worth of revenue. • Integrated Social Forestry in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Forestlands occupy almost 16 million ha of the Philippines, just Davao Oriental, and Dalaguete (Cebu City) and other over half of the country's total land area of 30 million ha, and sites; provide essential environmental services to the country. However, • Community Forest Stewardship Agreements in Nueva deforestation continues at more than 220,000 ha/yr. Areas Vizcaya; classified as forestlands include public and permanent forests, as • Community-Based Forest Management in Camarines Sur; well as those that have been declared forest reserves and • Ancestral Domain Claims in Sarangani, Mindoro, Palawan, reservations. Less than 700,000 ha of the country's old-growth and Bukidnon; forests remain, and these continue to be threatened by illegal • Indigenous People's Rights Act in Sarangani, Mindoro, loggers and slash-and-burn agriculture. Palawan, and Bukidnonj • Local Government Code in Quirino and other sites; and Completed projects • Community-based forestry initiated by people's organiza­ tions (POs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) Devolution and managing local forests in Laguna, Camarines Sur, Mindoro, and Bukidnon. In 1998 the International Fund for Agricultural Development The main fmding across all three countries was that devolu­ provided support to CIFOR for a 3-year study entitled Creating tion policies have not produced a genuine shift in authority to the 11 poorest forest users. They have instead enabled forest departments Choosing profitable products to harvest from the forest to control forests in new ways. For forest users who already Developing forest products for local or international market may enjoyed substantial control over and benefits from forests, be a good way to provide income to poor people in tropical devolution policies facilitated the extension of state control where countries while minimizing damage to the forest. But successful it did not exist before. For forest users who previously lacked commercialization of forest products and even environmentally access to forest products or land and sometimes gained significant friendly results are far from guaranteed. Much of the present benefits from devolution policies, these gains were constrained by understanding about the true role and potential of forest products bureaucratic controls and elite power structures. The emphasis of to contribute to development or conservation is based on untested devolution has been on transferring to forest users responsibilities theory and scattered and inconsistent data from individual cases. for planting and protecting, while retaining authority over most In a collaborative research arrangement, CIFOR developed a new aspects of management. By supervising or organizing planning method of analysis designed to pinpoint factors associated with processes, local organizations, or tax and regulatory incentives, the success or failure of forest product development, and tested it forest departments exerted control at far less cost to themselves in the Philippines and other countries. and could afford to reach into forests where they had no effective With funding from the UK's Department for International presence before. As a result, forest departments maintained or Development, test cases showed large differences in how forest even increased their influence over forests with devolution products were managed and used in remote versus developed policies. areas, and whether they were cultivated or gathered in the wild. There have been nevertheless incremental gains, often The research found that, contrary to popular opinion, production involving trade-offs. Policies in each of the countries do, in fact, of forest products is not necessarily done only by forest people. define new areas where households and community organizations One of the case studies was conducted by Dr. Honorato G. Palis can make decisions about forest management. Formal, direct of the Ecosystem Research Development Bureau, College, Laguna. benefits resulting from devolution policies included access to Rattan is one of the many economically important plant species subsistence uses of the forest, shares of income from sale of growing in the old growth and residual forests of the Philippines. timber or other forest products, and activities to reduce depen­ It is used as raw material for the manufacture of various end­ dence on the forest, such as generating employment or agricul­ products and is considered one of the most economically tural production outside the forest. Unfortunately, many of these important non-timber forest products in the country. In Palawan it benefits were limited and controlled by forest departments. is one of the main sources of livelihood. However, resource Indirectly, devolution policies enabled forest users to gain overharvesting has led to a decline in production, and exports of more visibility and legitimacy of access to forests. People previ­ rattan furniture from the Philippines have declined. Consequently, ously considered squatters, poachers, and criminals in the 1960s problems have developed between the Bataks of Palawan, who and 1970s are now legitimate residents of forests. The poliCies have traditionally gathered rattan, and collectors from outside, have created new channels of communication between local who are driven by the chance of quickly harvesting an increas­ communities and government decision makers. Such attention has ingly valuable material. had its positive aspects in bringing new ideas, materials, and By analyzing such cases, donor investments and local projects into the communities. But outsiders have also imposed management can be improved. The analysis showed that rattan their own precepts, created new time burdens, and introduced collection would be worthwhile only if gathering is strictly new risks. Visibility has made it possible for forest users to be controlled. The new analytical tool provides valuable assistance to more easily considered and thereby become vulnerable to state help guide governments, assistance agencies, NGOs and others regulations. toward appropriate projects and policies that promote sustainable The effective implementation of forest devolution still relies, development based on forest products. The implications may be in the long run, on the preparedness and capacity of local widespread because interest in this development strategy has communities to exercise forest authority and management soared in recent years. functions. Upgrading the capacity of local people and their organizations to govern the forest is of primary importance. The Making partnership schemes work for forestry plantation skills required are not only technical but also social. Local The forestry sector in the Philippines has suffered as a result of communities are expected to be adept not only in managing deforestation. The status in the world market for primary wood agroforestry and enterprise but also in negotiating resource products has also changed from being a net exporter to a net conflicts inside and outside the community. They need organizing importer. The Philippines' Master Plan for Forestry Development skills and a vast reservoir of social capital to mobilize local citizens (990) projected the areas for tree plantation development under in designing community-resource management frameworks and various schemes as 1, 538 million ha in the year ZOOO, z060 implementing resource-use plans and ancestral-s/orpotato and International Institute of Rural Reconstruction sweetpotato Southeast Asian Regional Institute for Community • Two networks, the Asian Sweetpotato and Potato Education Research and Development (ASPRAD) network and the CIP activities in the Philippines have also involved collabora­ participatolY research Users' Perspectives with tion with various CGIAR Centers and regional organizations, Agricultural Research and Development (UPWARD) including: network, have been established, involving small grant Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center SUpPOlt to national and local agenCies, networking Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, interactions with researchers in other parts of Asia, and Regional Office for Asia-Pacific capacity development in a range of skills through CIAT degree and nondegree training, publications, and ILRl information support seIVices, Through CIP's support to IPGRI the NARS-LED Asian \ [etwork for Sweetpotato Genetic IRRI Resources ConseIVation (ANSW"ER), national genetic ISNAR resources specialists have been able to enhance SEAM EO Regional Center for Research and Graduate conseIVation capacity for sweetpotato. Study in Agriculture Asia-Pacific Associati.on of Agricultural Research Institu­ tions (APAARI) 20 Potato crop improvement and management Potato with adaptation to the warm lowlands In the 1980s, research on the physiology and agronomy of potatoes for the warm lowlands provided the basis for technolo­ gies to expand the cultivation of the potato. CIP's Breeding Project selected several advanced potato clones for their adaptation to warm lowlands and their processing quality for fried chips. Research collaboration with MMSU and the DA of Cagayan Valley in the 1990s resulted in the release of the advanced potato clone CIP385130.11 as variety Raniag (also known as variety Eben). Several of these advanced potato clones have been distributed and selected by national potato breeders in Vietnam and Fiji. IPM for lowland potatoes (thrips and mites) Researchers measure potato yield in a field trial of advanced In collaboration with UPLB, IPM components were researched for potato clones. control of thrips (TIlJips palmi) and mites (Polyphagotarsonemus latus), the most important pests of potato in the warm tropical lowlands. system became the main source of clean planting material. Observations indicated a rapid reduction in bacterial wilt inci­ Potato with resistance to late blight dence and fast turnover of varieties. Late blight is the most important disease of potato. Research was conducted to understand the epidemiology of the disease in Sweetpotato ctop improvement and management Benguet and Mountain Province, as well as to evaluate and select potato clones with resistance to late blight. In the latter research Collection and evaJuation of sweetpotato germplasm collaboration with NPRCRTC, five potato clones were released as Sweetrotato germplasm was collected and evaluated for root varieties: CIP720088 as variety Dalisay, CIP573079 as Montanosa , yield, shade and drought tolerance, reaction to the weevil, and CIP379410 as Banahaw, CIP676089 as BSU P-04 (Solibao), and quality of apical stems. The collection, together with database CIPBP86500.5 as BSU P-03 (Igorota). information, was transferred to I'RCRTC. Biological control of cyst nematode (Globodem pallida) Integrated pest management ofthe sweetpotato weevil Research on the control of the cyst nematode C. pal/ida, con­ B using I eauveria bassiana and Metharryzium anisopliae ducted in collaboration with UPLB, identified efficient isolates and In collaboration with I'RCRTC, isolates efficient in controlling the methods for the use of the fungi Paecilomyces Ii/acinus as a weevil were identified. Isolatt::s of Bacillus thu/7'l1giel1sis \vere also biological control agent. A commercial product was developed. found to control the weevil. The technology was further developed by UPLS and used in controlling the nematode in large-scale banana rlantations of Integrated crop management southern Mindanao. Technology components for integrated crop management have been developed and evaluated, addressing major swectpotato Potato with resistance to bacteriaJ wilt production constraints in the Philippines. The components include Screening for resistance to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia selection of appropriate varieties, rehabilitation of lahar-laden and solal1aceamm was conducted in collaboration with tbe DA and degraded lands, nutrient management, and virus-free planting NOMIARC in Mindanao. Several advanced clones with resistance materials production. to bacterial wilt were selected and have been utilized for breeding research elsewhere. Asian Sweetpotato and Potato Research and Development Diffused-light storage The Asian Sweet[l. ,00 57 industry for the Visayas. This Center has worked with ILRI to • Aversion to risk from stock mortality and fluctuating assess the resistance of their sheep to parasites. Results of the market prices constrains investment. study showed that the worms in San Miguel sheep already had • Most farmers have difficulty bringing their stock to high levels of resistance to dewormers and this problem had to be suitable condition for market. resolved before genetic studies could commence. The future of smallholder farming in the Philippines is the Changes in dewormer, mating times, and grazing manage­ topic of a second study being conducted by ILRI, IFPRI, and UPLB ment were implemented. The Center then embarked on research to determine the extent to which economies of scale affect the to identify breeds of sheep resistant to endoparasites. A Philippine success or failure of livestock enterprises. The project, Funded in Native sheep (derived from Spanish Merinos introduced in past part by the SystemWide Livestock Program of the CGIAR, is centuries) and breeds recently imported from the United States looking at the costs of external factors such as supply of credit, (Rambouillet Merino, Katahdin, and St. Croix) are being com­ availability of land, and environment degradation, to determine if pared. Experimental results to date indicate that St. Croix and smallholder farms are able to compete with larger enterprises in Katahdin are better able to resist or tolerate controlled challenge the marketplace. by parasitic worms than the Rambouillet Merino and native breeds. Dr. Andrew Orais of the Department of Agriculture Impact and control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) commented: "This initial finding allows us to inform farmers that St. Croix and Katahdin rams will contribute to improving worm For most Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, control and productivity of their own stock." A team of scientists work to control and/or eradicate FMD is an ongoing campaign. at CLSU is pursuing research to identify goat breeds little affected ILRI has been contributing to the Southeast Asia FMD control by intestinal worms. The researchers are comparing native goats program of the Office Internationale des Epizooties for several with three exotic breeds: the Anglo-Nubian, Saanen, and Boer. years. ILRI has collaborated with the Philippine Animal Health Among the exotic breeds, Boer and their kids look promising. Center of the Department of Agriculture to assist the national FMD The project is linked with ILRI's strategic research on effort by undertaking benefit-cost analysis of alternative strategies integrated endoparaSite control strategies that incorporate disease­ and scenarios for control and eradication. resistant breeds or genotypes. The research is identifying genetic TIle project is linked with ILRI's strategic epidemiological and markers and genes for resistance to endoparasites in East African disease control research, based in Kenya. Projects in this area are Red Maasai sheep. controlling target endemic and epidemic diseases through the development of sound strategies based on structured epidemiO­ Partidpation of smallholders in Philippine livestock markets logical and economic studies. ILRI is evaluating different control strategies and developing decision aids as part of integrated ILRI and national collaborators are jointly conducting a study on animal health management. market participation by smallholder livestock producers-how A major research area of this ILRI group is linking national policies may foster an environment conducive to increased data with epidemiological and economic models. National efforts smallholder participation. The study is determining the extent of in the Philippines were rewarded in August 2002 with the participation by smallholder producers in market-oriented declaration of the Visayas as an FMD-free zone where vaccination livestock production, identifying constraints to their participation, is not reqUired. Efforts will continue to achieve similar status for and assessing the impacts of market participation on their Luzon. livelihoods and income. The results of these studies will be used to help formulate policy options that will promote increased Information services and training support market participation by smallholders. The project is linked with the strategic livestock policy ILRI has assembled bibliographies on crop-animal systems and analyses being conducted by ILRI and IFPRI, based in Washington, SPC in Southeast Asia, largely from the gray literature obtained DC. Projects in this area are working to improve smallholder from government departments, university libraries, and book­ access to livestock markets and trade in West Africa and else­ shelves of scientists and development workers. These information where, to improve smallholder dailY marketing in Africa and resources, which include ILRI newsletters, can be accessed by South Asia, and to understand the links among global livestock visiting the small library established by the ILRI team in Los markets, trade and food security for greater equity for the poor. Banos, by emailing the team at ILRI-Philippines@cgiar.org, or by The following were among key findings of a household logging on to the internet at www.ilri.org. survey conducted in Barangay Don Montano, Umingan, Aseries of workshops on SPC have been conducted in Pangasinan: Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, and attended by more than 60 • Home-raised livestock remain an important source of government veterinary and extension workers. The CASREN household nutrition. project has conducted two regional training courses on ap­ • Cash from livestock sales is mainly used to pay for proaches and methods for crop-animal systems research, and has education. prepared nraining manual on the subject. ILRI organized a • Lack of capital, grazing land, family labor, and access to workshop to outline a program of research and training for the inputs limits investment in livestock. conservation and use of animal genetic resources in Asia. The 58 training component of the program is being funded by the continue to seek areas of joint interest among its five research Swedish Government and starts in January 2003 with several themes, with a strong commitment to knowledge development Philippine palticipants. Several of the Philippine collaborators who and training in specific technical areas. Research on the bigger participated in the training events have also served as lecturers economic issues associated with emerging demand and market and resource persons for training activities in other countries in development will be combined with farm-level research that is the region. equally important in addreSSing the role of livestock in reducing poverty in the region. The follOWing five questions will be at the Constraints center of our planning and research in the Philippines for the foreseeable future. The strength of the Philippine science community was a major • How can livestock contribute to pathways out of poverty? factor in choosing the Philippines as the regional hub for ILRI 's • How can adoption of livestock innovations be acceler­ research activities. ILR! has research partnerships in almost all ated? countries of Southeast Asia , and much of the lLRI contribution to • How can the poor access the benefits of emerging these partnerships comes from the research team based in Los livestock markets? Banos. The commitmenl~ of the group therefore extend well • How can livestock biotechnology best be used for beyond the Philippines. But although a lot of work is being development? carried out with Filipino partners, sometimes demand for addi­ • How can livestock contribute positively to human and tional collaborative work is constrained by other commitments environmental health? elsewhere in the region. Finding the right balance is an ongoing challenge. Financial support and funding Research funding is always limiting, but without an agreed set of priorities and a commitment to action, no amount of The partnership between lLR! and the Philippines is totally funding can generate research products that benefit the poor. dependent on the mobilization of resources within the country, Agreement is based on understanding and trust; both of these take from donors who support ILRI with core and program funds and time and effort to develop. We have been fortunate working with other donors who support individual research projects. Several of paltners in the Philippines who understand this process. With our the second group-ADB, ACIAR, lFAD, and the national govern­ several years of shared experience under our belts, agreement on ments of Sweden and Switzerland-have been mentioned under research problems and direction is now much easier to reach. Projects. Two other agenCies-the Ford Foundation and the European Union-have provided significant support at the Future research collaboration regional level. In-kind support from national partners in the Philippines and from international collaborators, such as CSIRO in The commitments to existing projects in crop-animal systems, Australia, is substantial and vital. This mix of generic, specific, and disease control, livestock economics and policies, and animal in-kind resources is essential for the partnership research we do. genetic resources extend for several years. Beyond that, ILRI will All of them are vital. 59 Intemational Plant Genetic Resources Institute www.ipgrLorg Headquarters: Rome, Italy Founded 1974 Joined the CGIAR 1974 IPGRI and its partners conseroe and use the genetic variation in plants to create crop varieties that are more productive, stronger, and more nutritious. These varieties contribute to better agriculture, which can help sustain ourfamilies, build prosperity, improve our health, and renew the earth. he efficient conservation and effective utilization of resources, on which the future survival of mankind depends. This diverse plant genetic resources for food and nutritional need comes at a time when many of these plant genetic resources security, environmental protection, and poverty are at the verge of significant erosion due to the accelerated reduction is a continuing need especially in developing changes in terms of trade, export, urbanization, land-use pattern, countries like the Philippines. The International Plant Genetic and market-driven and monoculture farming practices demanded Resources Institute (IPGRI) contributes significantly to the by increased human population. realization of these goals by advocating and actively promoting IPGRI's mandate is to advance the conservation and use of both the conservation and sustainable use of valuable tropical fruit plant genetic resources for the benefit of present and future and coconut genetic resources through advanced plant genetic generations. Its mission is to encourage, support, and engage in resources education, training, documentation, and technology activities to strengthen the conservation and use of plant genetic development. resources worldwide, with special emphasis on the needs of The IPGRI is an autonomous international scientific organiza­ developing countries. IPGRI, in partnership with other organiza­ tion, supported by the CGIAR. It evolved from the International tions, undertakes research and training and proVides scientific and Board for Plant Genetic Resources, which was established in 1974 technical advice and information. to promote and coordinate the work on plant genetic resources To carry out this mission, IPGRI operates on the following globally and was linked to the Food and Agriculture Organization fundamental principles: (FAO) of the United Nations for administrative purposes. In 1994, • That people and their development are the foremost from its 20 years of productive accomplishments, IBPGR became reason for conservation of plant genetic resources; an independent institute, the IPGRI, one of the 16 centers • That genetic resources should be available, without supported by CGIAR. restriction to bona fide users; and IPGRI's relevance is anchored to the recognized need of • That IPGRI should carry out its work by supporting and conserving and sustainably using the very diverse plant genetic facilitating other organizations, rather than always doing the work itself. 60 On the basis of these mission and principles, IPGRI has set also aims to strengthen the country's capacity in PGR education up four objectives: and documentation through the offering of related postgraduate • To assist countries, particularly developing nations, in programs in classroom and distance education modes, as well as assessing and meeting their needs for conservation of to assist in the development of the National Plant Genetic plant genetic resources, and to strengthen links to users; Resources Laboratory (NPGRL) as a center for documentation • To strengthen and contribute to international collaboration training at the national and regional levels. in conservation and use of plant genetic resources; • To develop and promote improved strategies and History ofcollaboration technologies for plant genetic resources conservation; and IPGRI-Philippine partnership in coconut started in 1992 with the • To provide information service on plant genetic resources. establishment of COGENT, in which the Philippines was one of To achieve its objectives, IPGRI is organized into programs the 15 original country Signatories. Membership in COGENT has and a set of mUltidisciplinary projects, comprising a series of since expanded to 38 coconut-producing countries. Collaborative activities. These programs/projects are implemented/coordinated work has so far been carried out with the Philippine Coconut in regional offices, forming a matrix between the region and the Authority, University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), Visayas headquarters. There are 3 distinct programs under IPGRI: State University, and the SEAMEO Southeast Asian Graduate Study • Plant Genetic Resources (PGR); and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). • CGIAR Genetic Resources Support; and Collaboration between IPGRI and the Philippines on tropical • International Network for the Improvement of Banana and fruits started in 1994 with the participation of a Senior Researcher Plantain CINIBAP) in the expert consultation on tropical fruits in Asia held in Kuala The IPGRI' PGR program activities, which include the Lumpur, Malaysia. Later, Philippine experts helped develop a International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGEND, are catalogue of fruit germplasm maintained at the NPGRL in Los coordinated in Serdang, Malaysia, where the IPGRI-Asia, Pacific, Banos, Laguna, and assisted in preparing status reports on mango and Oceania CIPGRI-APO) office is located. INIBAP Program in and mangosteen. Presently, the Philippines is an active participant Asia and the Pacific is coordinated in its regional office in Los in the 10-country Asian Development Bank (ADBHunded project Banos, Laguna. on "Conservation and Use of Native Tropical Fruit Species Biodiversity in Asia," which started in 2000. IPGRI·APO partnerships in the Philippines The Master of Science program in PGR conservation and management (MSPGR) began in UPLB in 1997. The program aims In the Philippines, coconut and several wild species of tropical to develop expertise among researchers in the region to help fruits are endangered because of genetic erosion and other natural conserve and manage the plant genetic diversity that has devel­ and man-made factors. Large tracts of land planted to coconut are oped in APO region. IPGRI organized MSPGR dialogues in 2000 currently underutilized due to the plunging world prices of copra, and 2001, in which the Heads of Institutions and/or Scientists the primary product of most coconut farmers in the country. Low­ responsible for MSPGR programs in different countries in the APO yielding varieties and lack of access to technology have limited region, including the Philippines, participated. farmers from diversifying into other high-value products. Similarly, IPGRI-Philippine collaborative training started in March 1994, certain species of mango, Citms spp., and Garcinia spp. are with discussions with NPGRL documentation staff on the develop­ becoming rare because of genetic erosion, as more attention and ment of a network information system and the provision of research funding are focused on food crops for commercial training on documentation with the use of the GMS and Docu­ agriculture. Areas previously home to these tropical fruits either mentation Guidebook. Since then, IPGRI and a number of have dissipated because of neglect or have been converted to Philippine academic and research institutions, such as UPLB, produce commercial food crops. SEAMEO-SEARCA, and IRRI have partnered on training activities IPGRI's work in the Philippines revolves around three main covering PGR database software design and management, MSPGR thrusts: (1) promotion of the conservation and efficient use of course curriculum development, and using of GIS for PGR coconut and tropical fruits PGR, (2) PGR education and capacity conservation. IPGRI, through its projects with ADB and SEARCA, building, and (3) PGR documentation. A wide range of skills and has also supported 10 MS PGR scholars at UPLB. Some IPGRI staff disciplines is needed if plant genetic resources are to be con­ have also been involved in teaching PGR-related courses in the served and their full potential realized for economic and social same institution. development. PGR education, training, and documentation, as supported by IPGRI, are effective ways to help countries develop Areas of collaboration their capacity to effectively conserve and efficiently use their IPGRI and the Philippines collaborate in the areas of biodiversity. • Research; • Technical assistance; Aims of collaboration • Human resources development; IPGRI collaborates with a number of Philippine organizations and • Training! Capacity building; academic institutions to promote the conservation and use of • IEC materials development and exchange; coconut genetic resources and species diversity of native tropical • Financial and infrastructure support; and fmits for economic, social, and environmental development. IPGRI • Scholarships/ grants. 61 Coconut: target commodity for research by IPGRI and the Philippines under the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT). Completed projects/activities • Molecular marker analysis of conserved germplasm and IPGRI has so far completed the following project/ activities in the farmers' varieties Philippines, • Research on poverty reduction in three coconut-growing Coconut communities • 17 research projects • Postgraduate training of 10 MSc coconut scholars at UPLB • 3 technical missions Tropical fruits • 9 training courses • 3-year ADB-funded project on "Conservation and use of • 4 meetings and workshops native tropical fruit~ biodiversity in Asia" operating from Tropical fruits UPLB • 25 status reports on various tropical fruits species • Development of descriptors of mangosteen and rambutan • 6 training courses • Publication of a list of exchangeable released varieties of PGR education and documentation tropical fruits and its dissemination to national partners, • 3 PGR documentation training courses including the Philippines • 1 database software development mission PGR education and documentation • Supply of teaching materials and equipment for the • Establishment and strengthening of MSPGR Network MSPGR course among the institutions offering MSPGR course in the Asia­ • Curriculum development assistance Pacific region • MSPGR training slllvey • Assistance in refining [he M Sc program and in obtaining • Support for 10 MSPGR scholars scholarships for MSPGR students • Participation of NPGRL staff in the coming workshop on CUlTent projects PGR Information networking which will be held in South The follOWing activities are being carried out within and/or in Korea partnership with the Philippines: Constraints Coconut The work of IPGRI in the Philippines is primarily hindered by the • Catalogue of conselved germplasm and farmers' varieties lack of external funding suppor't for PGR research and develop­ 62 ment, infrastructure development, human resource development, • Distribution of Second Annual Meeting proceedings and operational expenses. Lack of job opportunities for MSPGR • Distribution of monographs on mango and citrus students is also another major constraint in carrying out IPGRI's • Development and refinement of course materials, e.g., mandate in the country. lecture notes and laboratory manuals • Development of public awareness materials PlanS/activities for future collaboration • Expansion of PGR education through distance learning Research • Molecular marker characterization of coconut diversity Financial support and funding • Implementation of a globally coordinated coconut • IPGRI has provided a total of US$130,430 for research, breeding program and the Philippine Government has given a counterpart • Development of techniques for in vitro conservation and contribution of US$209,677 to carry out coconut PGR cryopreservation of Citrus spp., with funding from the development and poverty reduction projects in coconut­ Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research producing communities in the Philippines. (ACIAR) • For tropical fruits, US$ 3500 has been allotted for • Development of a proposal for the second phase of the consultancies on status reports on mangosteen and ADB-funded project on "Conservation and Use of Native mango, US$ 45,000 for ADB-funded tropical fruit species tropical Fruit species Biodiversity in Asia" project for 3 years, and US$ 67,500 for a proposed ACIAR • Review and improvement of the MSPGR course curricu­ project on "Development of Advanced Technologies for lum, to include PGR policy and development applicatiOns Germplasm Conservation of Tropical Fruit Species." There • Development of course materials for law and policies are also prOVisions for financial support for the participa­ relevant to PGR managers and exploring the possibility of tion of Philippine PGR scientists in expert consultations, offering the course by distance learning annual meetings, and training courses/workshops/ • Integration of course curriculum from MSPGR programs in symposia. other countries in the APO region • IPGRI also supports the participation of Philippine • Initiation of transboundary research scientists in conducting/directing f the MSPGR teaching Institutional development and training program and in the MSPGR dialogues, study tours, and • Development of community- based organizations and course curriculum development workshops; and provides training of farmers and women members on income­ financial assistance for infrastructure development, generating activities, and of researchers and extensionists training materials, and MSc scholarships in the Philip­ on how to provide technical support to coconut farmers pines. • Funding support for one Ph D and three MSc scholars at UPLB IPGRJ's pannerships on Muso in the Philippines • Offering of skills enhancement training to scientists on (a) collecting and analyzing socioeconomic data, (b) IPGRI's INIBAP program was created in 1985 on the heels of ecogeographic studies and use of GIS tools, and (c) rapidly spreading outbreaks of banana fungal diseases, which analysis and interpretation of data on molecular character­ revealed the need to accelerate research on Musa improvement ization and to introduce an international perspective into such work. • Promotion of student and staff exchange Given the global nature of banana research, the distinct regional • Organization of trainers-training program differences, and the fragmented nature of ongoing activities, it was • Improvement of laboratory facUities for teaching decided that the most appropriate strategy was to create a • Provision of equipment, including personal computers, network rather than a research center. Global Positioning System (GPS), and grass cutters INIBAP's mission is to sustainably increase the productivity of Technology sharing and public awareness banana and plantain grown on smallholdings for domestic • Publication and dissemination of manuals on standardized consumption and for local and export markets. To achieve this techniques in coconut breeding mission, INIBAP favors the creation of partnerships and supports • Publication and dissemination of techniques on embryo research carried out by its partners in both developing and culture, cryopreservation, and molecular marker identifica­ industrialized countries. In addition to its headquarters in tion to locate and characterize diversity Montpellier, France, INIBAP operates through regional offices, one • Dissemination of country status reports on rambutan-ake in each of the four major banana-growing regions: Latin America (Nephelium ramboutan-ake) and kuini (Mangifera and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific, Eastern and Southern odorata) Africa, and West and Central Africa. In each region, INIBAP • Provision of web-based or CD-ROM-based training manual provides the coordination for National Agricultural Research on in vitro conservation and cryopreservation System (NARS)-based networks, which playa major role in • Distribution of training manual CD on PGR Information supporting regional research activities. These networks, in turn, and Documentation help national programs to benefit from global research efforts. • Dissemination of descriptors on litchi, mangosteen, and Since 1994, INIBAP has operated as a program of the IPGRI, a rambutan member of the CGIAR. 63 As the second largest producer of bananas in Asia, the NARS In the region , the restructuring of HAPNET as a NARS-Ied Philippines has been a close collaborator of INIBAP from the network was agreed upon, to give it the autonomy enjoyed by the beginning. Bananas not only playa major role in food security other regional networks. BAPNET operates under the auspices of and income generation for the rural poor of this archipelagic the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutes and country; they also are an important source of foreign exchange for is guided by a Steering Committee, which is made up of represen­ the largest exporter in Asia. Being situated in the region where tatives of all the national programs and institutions that participate bananas originated, the Philippines boasts many famous cultivars, in the network. IPGRI-INIBAP continues to provide the secretariat. such as Lakatan, Latundan, Saba, and the familiar BAPNET includes the national agricultural research Cavendish, which forms the basis of the global programs of 11 countries (Australia, Bangladesh, export industry. China, India , Indonesia, Malaysia , Pakistan, Except for 38% of the production Philippines, Sri Lanka , Thailand, and which is exported, bananas are grown Vietnam) and two research institutes by small scale farmers, and traded (Taiwan Banana Research Institute and and consumed locally. Average the Secretariat of the Pacific Commu­ yields, however, are below 10 tlhal nity). The network has proved to yr compared with the 40 tl hal yr or be an efficient mechanism for more produced in commercial identifying regional Musa plantations. The major production research priorities, and an constraint comes from insect pests eftkient and etlective and diseases. modus operalldi for Diseases are changing the implementing the network's way bananas are cultivated in goals and objectives. It has the Philippines. Recent surveys also facilitated the and field visits indicate that development of collabora­ many smallholder farmers are tive projects and contrib­ abandoning the culture of uted to an increased spirit of banana as a reaction to the serious regional cooperation in epidemics of, among others, bunchy top agricultural research. A basket of Muso diversity and Bugtok diseases and Fusarium wilt. Black Collaboration between IPGRI-INIBAP and the Sigatoka, the most severe leaf spot disease, is Philippines is mainly in the areas of germplasm reducing yield by as much as 80% in farmers' fields. The impact of conser- vation and characterization, and training and information these diseases is hardest on the smallholders who do not have the exchange. economic and technical capacities to manage these problems, as opposed to the commercial-plantation owners, who tend to use Germplasm conservation, evaluation,and improvement chemical pesticides, which adversely affect the environment and One of INIBAP's major achievements has been the establishment human health. The key to the survival of these small- scale of the world's largest collection of banana and plantain diversity. farmers is the development and implementation of a strategy of This collection is held at the INIBAP Transit Centre (ITC), located integrated pest management that relies on the use of varieties at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuuen, in Belgium. The genebank resistant to the most common insect pests and diseases. contains more than 1,100 accessions, which have been donated by INIBAP's partners. All the material held in the genebank is tested History ofthe collaboration by INIBAP for the presence of virus diseases, and only healthy The Philippines was the second government to ratify, in 1988, the samples are distributed. The material distributed by the ITC is agreement establishing INIBAP. In 1989, the Philippines provided used by researchers and extension workers for banana improve­ an office base in Los Banos, Laguna, an arrangement formalized in ment and evaluation activities. 1991 with the creation of the Asia Pacific Network (ASPNET) Given the importance of MusCi diversity in the region, the coordinated by INIBAP. Relations between INIBAP and the network has placed particular emphasis on supporting regional Philippines were further enhanced in 1995 when the Philippines efforts in Musa gennplasm collection, conservation, and evalua­ Government, through the Department of Agriculture, agreed to tion. INIBAP has supported the maintenance, characterization, provide $20,000 a year towards the operational cost of ASPNET. evaluation, and conservation of the Southeast Asian Regional On 10 May 1999, the partnership between IPGRI-INIBAP and Banana Germplasm collection at the Depattment of Agriculture's the Philippines was further strengthened when the Government of Bureau of Plant Industry in Davao, Philippines. It also helped in the Philippines, through the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, The rescuing and relocating the field collection, which was heavily Honorable Domingo Siazon, signed an agreement with Dr. Emile infected with bunchy top virus and bract mosaic vims, to a new Frison, INIBAP Director, formaliZing the international status of the site within the Davao research center. A natural barrier around the IPGRI-INIBAP regional office in the countty. collection has been set up to hinder the spread of insect vectors. ASP NET was reborn in 2002 as the Banana Asia Pacific Together with improved crop protection practices, it should delay Network (BAPNET). In a meeting of representatives of the various the entry of virus and other systemic diseases into the collection. 64 The Philippines is also a partner in the Musa Germplasm implemented, with support from the Department of Agriculture's Information System (MGIS) developed by INIBAP. MGIS is a Bureau of Agricultural Research. The project will give farmers database containing detailed and standardized information on the quick and easy access to improved banana varieties. The introduc­ Musa varieties maintained in the different collections throughout tion of disease-resistant varieties and the concomitant implementa­ the world. It gives researchers access to the characterization and tion of integrated pest managemem systems should lead to the evaluation data of the various Musa varieties. Genebank curators rehabilitation of the banana production by small- scale growers. from ten countries in the region participate in MGIS. MGIS contains information on the 248 accessions from the Philippines Training and information exchange and the region. Many local scientists and technicians have benefited from The International Musa Testing Program, (IMTP) , a world­ INIBAP's training courses and workshops, and from the meetings wide germplasm evaluation effort coordinated by INIBAP, can also and seminars it has organized or supported. The topics covered count on the participation of the Philippines. Through this have included germplasm management, integrated pest manage­ program, potentially superior varieties are exposed to local insect ment, virology, nematology, tissue culture, and biotechnology. pests and diseases in evaluation sites all over the world. This INIBAP is also helping Filipino scientists to keep up with allows the identification of varieties that are naturally resistant and advances in biotechnology. It supports the participation of local that are suited to local tastes and needs. Through this program, researchers in workshops and seminars on molecular and cellular superior banana hybrids and landraces have been identified and biology and its application to the improvement of Musa and the are now ready to be tested in farmers' fields and eventually molecular characterization of Musa germplasm. disseminated to and adopted by farmers. The program is now In October 1998, INIBAP co-organized in Davao a regional entering its third phase, and, for the first time, two partners from workshop on: "Disease Management of Banana and Citrus: The the private sector in the Philippines are participating in the Use and Management of Disease-free Planting Materials". The evaluation exercises. workshop was followed by a training course in virus indexing at Because most banana varieties are sterile, producing UPLB. Providing training to properly detect banana virus infection improved high-yield cuitivars that are resistant to insect pests and will help ensure the production of disease-free planting material, diseases by conventional breeding methods is an expensive, slow, which plays an important role in redUCing the spread not only of and complicated process. This is one of the reasons there are very viruses but also of nematodes and weevils. few such programs around the world. Recognizing this fact, the When INIBAP was created, information on bananas and Musa research community agreed that a global initiative was plantains was scattered and fragmentary. One of the tasks of required in order to accelerate the impact of improvement efforts. INIBAP was to develop the tools for gathering, classifying, and PROMUSA was established in 1997 to foster international coopera­ distributing information on bananas, in the three languages most tion and to facilitate the creation of synergies between ongoing commonly spoken in the banana-producing countries: English, research efforts. PROMUSA operates as a consortium, and activities French, and Spanish. INIBAP provides comprehensive technical take place in six thematic working groups (genetic improvement, and scientific information in various forms, among other things, a Sigatoka diseases, Fusarium, nematodes, viruses, and weevils). scientific journal (INFOMUSA), bulletins, fact sheets, technical Through INIBAP's PROMUSA program, Filipino scientists are gUidelines, and books. INIBAP aims to inform the international involved in collaborative research activities with scientists from banana community, as well as the general public, about all aspects other countries. of banana and plantain production. When appropriate, the Although breakthroughs in banana breeding have delivered a information network makes use of modern techniques, such as number of high-performing varieties, the supply of planting CD-ROM, video, and the Web, for the diffusion of information. In material continues to be a limiting factor. The INIBAP genebank, the region, INIBAP has published and distributed numerous as international provider of banana germplasm for Asia, can banana-related material. produce only five samples per requested accession. A Regional Information and Documentation Network Various projects are in progress to catalyze the rate of (RlSBAP) was set up in 1996 at the Asia-Pacific Regional Office in improved varieties in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2000, the the Philippines. Composed of ten member countries, the network members of the regional network's Steering Committee met at the coordinates regional collaboration and communication among International Banana Symposium in Bangkok and launched plans Musa researchers. It is playing an important role in gathering and to develop a network of national repository and dissemination exchanging Must! -related information within the region. centers in the region. In these proposals, participating govern­ In September 1999, a major step towards unifying the ments would assign an institution that will be responsible for taxonomy of banana varieties in Southeast Asia was taken. INJBAP acquiring banana germplasm and multiplying and distributing it and the Davao National Crop Research and Development Centre within the country. (DNCRDC) sponsored a workshop on "Banana Cuitivar Names Letters of agreement for the establishment of these centers and Synonyms in Southeast Asia". By comparing morphological have been signed for Bangladesh, Sri Lanka , India, Indonesia, data, pictures, and field observations, it was possible to identify China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The establishment of a the synonyms and unique cultivars from each country. This center is being aggressively promoted in the Philippines. A exercise resolved the confusion surrounding identical cultivars collaborative project on the introduction and promotion of masquerading under different names. From a Jist of 296 cultivar improved cuitivars and superior local varieties is going to be names, 149 were established as distinct cultivars. The results of 65 this workshop are very important for breeders and keepers of Constraints germplasm collections, who may now filter out duplicate acces­ The work of IPGRI-INIBAP in the Philippines would be further sions more effiCiently. The varieties and their distribution are listed enhanced with more funding from external as well as internal in INFOMUSA (8(2):37-39), and a full report on the workshop has sources. Even though it is being addressed , the coordination of been published by INIBAP. the ,Y[usa R&D network must be further improved. Plans/Activities for Future Collaboration Area Itype of collaboration • Molecular characterization of Mlisa germplasm, particu­ IPGRI-INIBAP and the Philippines collaborate in the areas of larly the genome of the wild species, M. balbisiana; • Research; • Characterization of the Mustl germplasm collection with • Technical assistance; regard to their reaction to various insect pests and • Human resources development; diseases; • Training/capacity building; • Support of biotechnology projects on I'vlllsa in relation to • Information documentation and exchange; crop improvement; • Financial infrastructure support; and • Further improvement of the linkage of Musa information • Fund generation. development dissemination and exchange with the global database; Completed projects/activities • Support and sourcing of funding for undergraduate and IPGRI-INIBAP has so far completed the following projects/ graduate scholarships related to Musa; activities in the Philippines in support of its mandate, goals, and • Improvement of linkage with other state universities and objectives: institutions towards accelerated Musa technology transfer • 7 research projects; to end-users; and • 10 technical missions; • Further enhancement of the transfer of Musa technology, • 8 training courses; particularly improved varieties, IPM, and improved • 8 meetings and workshops;; production system. • 13 Filipino researchers sent for training abroad; and • 48 Filipino researchers sent for seminars and workshops Financial support and funding abroad. • An annual grant of US$lO 000 is provided by the Philip­ pine Government, through IPGRI-INIBAP, to SUppOlt the Current projects maintenance of the Southeast Asian Regional Genebank TIle following activities are being carried out within and/or in and other projects at the BPI-DNCRDC. partnership with the Philippines: • IPGRI-INIBAP provided US$5000 to banana biotechnology • IMTP Phase III projects at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), UPLB. • Participation in the Musa germ plasm characterization This amount contributed to the establishment of a through the global MGIS screen house for evaluating transgenic banana. • National repository and dissemination center of improved • IPGRI-INIBAP has provided US$2500 at IPB, UPLB to varieties establish demonstration plots for evaluating and promot­ • Collection, maintenance, characterization, and evaluation ing improved varieties and superior landraces of banana. of Musa Germplasm • IPGRI-INIBAP has facilitated, through the ProJlilusa • Molecular characterization of Musa program, the funding of a 259,045-Euro research project • Improvement of nematode management in small-scale on Musa nematology. The funding, which comes from the banana cropping systems Belgian Government, includes training grants for 2 PhD • Evaluation and promotion of improved varieties and students and 5 scientists. superior landraces • DA-BAR is committed to fund an accelerated program of • Integrated pest management field evaluation and adoption of improved varieties. • Capability building on the following aspects: (1) produc­ • IPGRI-INIBAP has helped Filipino scientists participate in tion of disease-free planting materials through virus training sessions, seminars, and workshops abroad, indexing, and (2) mass propagation through tissue culture through funding sourced from various donors (e.g., IFAD, and nursery management; EU, AClAR). • Regional Information System on Banana and Plantain (RlSBAP) - Asia and Pacific; and • Linkage of RlSBAP with the global INIBAP information System. 66 International Rice Research Institute www.irri.org Headquarters: Los Banos, Philippines Founded 1960 Joined the CGIAR 1971 IRRl's mission is to improve the well-being oflow-income rice producers and consumers by generating and disseminating rice-related knowledge and technology while conserving the natural resource base, taking full advantage ofthe advancement ofscience to address emerging development concerrlS; and to build a stronger linkage ofits research with its outreach staffas well as with national agricultural research and extension systems, to fast-track impact. ice is the principal food of three-fourths of the programs and activities since 1973, with contributions totaling Philippine population, estimated at 80 million in 2002 USS4,750,93H. and still growing by at least 2.2% yearly. The rice IRRT's partnership with the Philippines began on 16 Septem­ industry employs about 45% of the agricultural labor ber 1959 when the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, force. By 2020, 108.4 million Filipinos will need 17.86 million tons in cooperation with the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, of rough rice, an increase of almost 40% over the current level of approved the proposal to establish IRRI in the country. IRRI 's consumption. The rice must be grown on less land, as urban international prestige lend~ prominence to the country as the centers sprawl onto prime rice-growing areas. center for collaboration in rice research, not only with leading The challenge to the scientific community is how to help international research institutions, but also with the national maintain a continuous increase in food production despite limited agricultural research and extension system (NARES) of the major natural resources and declining arable land and water supplies, in rice-producing countries of the world. ways that protect the soil, water, and biotic resource base. When modern rice varieties (MVs) were released in 1966, the The International Rice Research Institute ORRI) works with average rice yield in the Philippines was 1.3 tl ha and annual rice-growing countries throughout the world in carrying out its production on 3.1 million ha of rice land was 4.1 million tons of mandate to do research and provide training on rice and rice­ rough rice. In the same year, the country impolted 108,000 t of based farming systems. The Institute was the first of 16 interna­ milled rice. tional agricultural research centers charged with developing Since then, the population has almost doubled, but rice area sustainable production systems in agriculture, forestry, and has increased to only 4.07 million ha in 2001. Production has fisheries. Its financial support comes through the CGIAR , an increased to 12.95 million tons of rough rice in 2001 , almost three association of countries, international and regional organizations, times that in 1966. This increase has been made possible through and private foundations. In 2001, its total budget was US$32.641 the introduction of modern, high-yielding varieties and associated million. The Philippine Government has been supporting IRRI's technologies developed by lRRI and the Philippines. 67 Leaving the IRRI dedication ceremonies on 7 February 1962 are (left to right) Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal,John D. Rockefeller, another guest, and president of the Philippine Senate Ferdinand E. Marcos. Today, 91% of Philippine rice land is planted to improved IRRI in the community varieties. About 33% of the rice is grown under rainfed conditions, with a yield of only 2 tlha. The national average rice yield in 1996 Beyond rice science, IRRI is dedicated to improving the livelihood was 3.3 tl ha for irrigated rice and 2 tl ha for rainfed rice. of people who live in communities near its headquarters in Los Of critical importance to the Philippines are IRRI 's advances Banos, Laguna. In 1993, the Institute established the IRRI Working in rice research and production technologies, which it shares with Group on Community and Social Projects, which provided the poor fanners through the country's NARES. The training opportu­ foundation for IRRI's involvement in these communities. nities that the Institute provides to Filipino researchers and In 1996, the German Agency for Technical Cooperation scientists, and the employment opportunities for science and awarded a three-year grant to support the IRRI Neighborhood nonscience professionals, are intangible contributions to the Community Development Project, which has assisted in improving growth and popularization of science in the Philippines. These basic services and meeting livelihood needs in six barallgays opportunities also contribute concretely and significantly to the (villages) in the municipalities of Los Baiios and Bay. economic development of the country. Current community projects include donation of computers for education, Neighborhood Emergency Services Team training, Contributions of Rlipino scientists monthly medical missions, biointensive gardening, solid waste management seminars, and farmers' seminar on rice technologies. Since IRRI was founded in 1960, Filipino scientists have had many IRRI also participates actively in and avidly supports the important roles in promoting international cooperation in rice activities of the Los Banos Science Community , a 21-member research. Internationally recruited Filipino staff have served IRRI in group under the umbrella of the Department of Science and various scientific and administrative roles. Likewise, nationally Technology (OOST), whose main purpose is to accelerate rural recruited scientists have made significant contributions to the development through the generation, verification, packaging, and research accomplishments of IRRI. dissemination of technologies and information to promote In addition, 22 Filipinos have been members of the IRRI agriculture and natural resource development. Board of Tmstees. IRRI takes pride in its manpower resources. As of 30 June Collaborative projects 2002, 1,798 Filipinos work at IRRI, of which 842 hold regular positions. Their contribution help make IRRI the respected IRRI 's activities in the Philippines have always peen conducted in scientific institution that it is today. partnership with the Depal1ment of Agriculture (DA) and the 68 Philippine Rice Research Institute (PbilRice) and with other Institution building government agencies such as the DOST, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and As part of IRRl's major task of promoting strong national rice Development, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astro­ research systems, IRRI advocated the establishment of a Philippine nomical Services Administration , state universities and colleges Rice Research Institute (PhiIRice). Phil Rice was established in (University of the Philippines Los Banos [UPLB}, Central Luzon 1985, and in 1987, Phi/Rice and IRRl began a collaborative State University, Leyte State University [formerly Visayas State program to enhance PhilRice research and training capabilities in College of Agriculture}, University of Southern Mindanao), and varietal improvement, planting and fertilizer management, rice private small-scale agricultural machinelY manufacturers. farming systems, farm mechanization and postharvest engineering, The projects include germplasm conservation and exchange, technology sharing, and social science and policy. IRRI's strategy improvement of rice varieties, soil and crop management tech­ to go "upstream" in selected research areas provides wider nologies, design and training for the production of agricultural opportunities for collaboration with PhilRice. machinelY, and the International Nerwork for Genetic Evaluation of Rice and rice varietal improvement in the Philippines. IRRI-PhilRice Among the completed projects were improving nutrient PhilRice and LRRI have joint research and training projects. In management, postharvest and postproduction management, 1995-96, the two institutions were collaborating on 40 projects: 7 sustaining the irrigated lowland resource base, systems ap­ in rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, 9 in upland rice ecosystem, 4 in proaches to quantify performance of rice ecosystems, assessing cross-ecosystems and tidal wetland rice ecosystem, 9 in irrigated opportunities for nitrogen fixation in rice, rice research priorities rice ecosystem, 7 under International Services, and 4 on seed in different agroecological zones and ecosystems, the Asian Rice production and promising lines. Biotechnology Network (ARBN), and dynamic systems of genetic IRRI also sponsored one shuttle research on-the-job trainee at conselvation. the ARBN Training Laboratory at IRRI and rwo participants in At present, 51 projects/activities are being undertaken by IRRI training courses on geographic information systems and nutrient in the Philippines. IRRI, PhilRice, and UPLB have signed a new management. Nine PhilRice staff members participated in various work plan agreement on priority rice research activities for 20()() to collaborative in-country training courses on IPM, genotype by 2002. The work plan focuses on key research priorities such as environment (G x E) analysis and interpretation, farming systems biotechnology, intellectual property rights, transgenic rice, and the research, engineering for rice agriculture, social research methods, phYSiology and high yield potential of new rice varieties. It also nutrient management, and plant virus detection. Eleven Phil Rice continues to look at Integrated Pest Management (JPM), technol­ staff selved as resource persons in IRRI group training courses. ogy packaging, and rice consortium activities, as well as human resource development. Other research priorities include the IRRI-UPLB evaluation of socioeconomic trends in the rice industry, and the Acouncil was created in 1990 to coordinate projects and competitiveness as well as the strengthening of two important strengthen collaboration between IRRI and UPLB. Among these consortia: the Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments, joint projects are which is a combination of the fonner Rainfed Lowland Rice • Containment faCility. Through its College of Environmen­ Research Consortium and Upland Rice Research Consortium, and tal Science and Management, UPLB helped assess IRRl's the Irrigated Rice Research Consortium. containment faCility for biotechnology research. This The priorities of these three research consortia are incorpo­ special transgenic greenhouse is being used by both IRRl rated into the National Research Development and Extension and UPLB staff in the genetic engineering program for Program of the Philippine Government. rice. The Institute is assisting Philippine policymakers with • Gender concerns. Gender concerns in NARES, including detailed, up-to-date understanding of the effects of trade liberaliza­ the Philippines, are addressed through IRRI's Women in tion on rice self-sufficiency, food security, and the welfare of rice Rice Farming Systems Research Project, which began in farmers and consumers. This work is being carried out on a 1986. regional basis under the project "Assessing the impact of potential IRRI and UPLB are likewise collaborating on the follOWing trade liberalization of the Philippine rice sector." projects: TIle Philippines Rice Post-Production Consortium is another • epidemiology of sheath blight of rice as affected by collaborative program that involves the DA-Bureau of Post Harvest cultural practices and cropping systems; Research and Extension, Phi/Rice, National Food Authority, UPLB, • crop residue decomposition by Trichoderma for disease and IRRI. Among its activities are dialogues on grain quality issues management in rice-based cropping systems; and with farmer-members of cooperatives engaged in processing and • degree, postdegree, and short-term group training. trading rice, assessment of problems associated with the use of Under the lRRI-UPLB staff exchange program in 1995-96, 12 grain dlyers, design and development of a batch reCirculating UPLB students had on-the-job training at the IRRI Training Center. dlyer in cooperation with the private sector represented by the Thirty-five IRRI scientists were affiliate faculty members of the Metalworking IndustlY Association of the Philippines, and a UPLB Graduate School. Twelve UPLB staff members served as nationwide survey and lalx)rat()IY assessment of the quality of resource persons in IRRI's group training courses and rwo staff milled rice at the retail level as set by Philippine Trade Standards. members attended seminars on G x E and transformation and 69 Computef'oaided instruction for participants of IRRI training courses Dopitay so Kaumahan (Holding on together for the farm) or DAPITSAKA project uses a participatory process of identiying and selecting options for addressing and resolving farmers' problems and needs. 70 molecular analysis of transgenic rice. One UPLB staff member is only 2.4 ha in three municipalities but has now grown to 500 ha an IRRI scholar as an MS thesis affiliate. covering 23 municipalities across Iloilo. UPLB, [RRI, and PhilRice are jointly committed to promoting The main focus of the project is the participatory process of and accelerating research and training in rice and rice-based identifying and selecting options for addreSSing and resolving farming systems and rural develorment, as well as to improving farmers' prohlems and need" such as rice tungro, rats, and coordination and management of collaboration in the Philiprines. problem soils. The project is supported by scientists from [RRI, Every other year, a collaborative work plan meeting is held to Phil Rice, and DA. Farmers tested 11 promising tungro-resistant discuss project accomplishments and to develop plans. lines and varieties suitable for saline and iron-toxic soils, and set up a community rat trap barrier system. After three cropping IRRI-other institutions seasons, yields obtained by farmers involved in the project have IRRI is cooperating with the Philippine Government in addressing increased from an average of 3.7 tons to 4.6 tons per ha. Three of issues related to transgenic rice and biosafety. [RRI scientists have the tungro-resistant lines are now approved by the NSIC as stop­ presented a position paper to the House of Representatives' joint gap varieties for tungro-infested areas in the Philippines. As a committee on ecology, agriculture, and science and technology, result, the number of farmer-cooperators has grown from the dealing with [RR['s genetic engineering program and il~ obliga­ original 4 to more than 300 this year. tions under the Philippine Biosafety Guidelines. As part of the DAP[TSAKA's institutional capacity-building agenda, 52 provincial extension workers have been trained on Training and technology sharing managing rice tungro disease, improved rat control measures, and Providing scientific training is a key part of IRRI's work. From how to better manage adverse soils such as those suffering from 1960 to 2001, Filipino scholars who studied at IRRI included 153 high iron toxicity. Hundreds of farmers also attended several field MS, 99 PhD , 93 nondegree, and 815 trainees. [RRI has trained days and "farm walks". more people from the Philippines than from any other country. In Quezon Province, the Infanta-based NGO, Infanta In the early 1970s, IRRI became one of the main partners of Integrated Community Development Assistance, Inc. (ICDAI), the Philippine Government in implementing a rice production sought IRRI's technical assistance in improving seed health for program called Masagana 99 (Bountiful Harvest of 99 cavans), sustainable pest and crop management in the area and in after the country experienced successive calamities of f1o