MANILA -- The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will focus on technology transfer and building the competency of its research partners, an official told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Monday.
Edwin Villar, PCAARRD acting deputy executive director for Research and Development (R&D), said the agency plans to roll out whatever technology available for transfer after getting a patent or copyright for these.
"We also tend to help improve the competency of our research partners. We have programs for them to pursue science focused on agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources," he added.
Villar said PCAARRD is helping its research partners in the regions by linking them to proper agencies that can provide them with support.
"It would also be a great help if the (national) government can help the DOST to disseminate technologies, and encourage the public to patronize our products and programs," he said, adding that the Philippines have world-class technologies.
PCAARRD marked its 7th anniversary over the weekend. Villar explained that while this DOST-attached agency was established in 1972, it was only in 2011 when the functions for agriculture, forestry, aquatic, and marine research were merged and agency adopted the name PCAARRD.
The celebration focused on R&D, and on urging researches to engage in R&D in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources.
"For the past seven years, PCAARRD has helped in identifying diseases of plants and animals; we have developed technology interventions to address these," he shared.
Villar also pointed out that for the past seven years, "Itik Pinas" (IP) could be considered one of PCAARRD's major achievements.
IP is a genetically superior breeder duck developed by PCAARRD to improve the egg-laying performance of the Philippine Mallard duck from 55-70 percent per year.
PCAARRD said the target was to produce eggs weighing 65 kilograms, suited for "balut" processing.
"There was a time when some people wanted to give up because there were only a few eggs being produced. But we didn't (give up) on this program, which aims to improve the quality and productivity of itik," he said.
Villar said he is encouraging the private sector to patronize the IP. (PNA)
