IRRI showcases research in Philippine agriculture fair

IRRI scientists and staff with DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar (center).

The International Rice Research Institute joined several government agencies and businesses in the 8th Agriculture and Fisheries Technology Forum and Product Exhibition on 9-12 August 2012 at Mega Trade Hall in SM Megamall.

IRRI's participation was a response to an invitation from Nicomedes Eleazar, director of the Bureau of Agricultural Research of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA-BAR), through V. Bruce J. Tolentino, deputy director general for communications and partnerships. The event was attached to DA-BAR's 25th anniversary celebrations and has the theme BAR@25: Celebrating R and D Excellence in Agriculture and Fisheries.

On exhibit were technologies and products from the Philippine regions including high-value crops, natural products and ingredients for health and wellness, and other ideas and techniques pertaining to organic agriculture, climate change, biofuels, livestock, and fisheries. Private entrepreneurs promoting their inventions and wellness products also took part.

The IRRI booth featured posters that showcased IRRI's partnership with the DA on the following areas: IRRI support for the Philippine Food Staple Sufficiency Program, Nutrient Manager, community seed-banking in the Arakan Valley, and rice cyber-villages in the Philippines.

IRRI scientist Rowena Castillo
demonstrates Nutrient Manager
for Rice to farmers.

The Nutrient Manager for Rice team (Rowena Castillo, Efren Laureles, and Apple Suplido) interacted with visitors to the IRRI booth and answered questions on NMRice, especially of farmers from as far as the Visayas and Mindanao.

IRRI scientists Glenn Gregorio and Alvaro Pamplona provided expert advice to visitors who expressed interest in rice farming. Some of them said that listening to IRRI's experts had led them to consider rice farming after retirement.

IRRI gave away sample packs of brown rice, pirurutong or purple rice, and climate change-ready rice varieties (Tubigan or RC 238 and Sahod Ulan or RC 284).

Printed copies of Rice Today, information brochures, and Ang Mga Kwento ni Ryza (Nasa Tamang Nutrisyon ang Kalusugan ng Palay) in CD format were also available to visitors.



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