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Experts said that the decline of the population of bees can have serious consequences on food production. FLINDERS UNIVERSITY PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO SCIENTISTS working in Asian countries have warned of declines in Asia's pollinators that could affect food production and food security in the region. A report released by the Australia-based Flinders University affirmed that bee pollinators are a crucial link to food production and food security for more than half the world's population living in Asia. However, the report noted that few species have been closely studied or assessed for their range, numbers and conservation status. The report said the warning comes as 74 scientists working in 13 Asian and other countries said that the region's bees could be under threat du...

Ifugao State University continues its streak of global recognition by participating in the three-day Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass dubbed 'Cordillera's Fierce Leaders Achieving International Recognition' at the Cordillera Career Development Center in La Trinidad, Benguet from Aug. 2 to 4, 2023. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO IN continuing its streak of global recognition, Ifugao State University (IFSU) has participated in the three-day Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass dubbed "Cordillera's Fierce Leaders Achieving International Recognition." Held at the Cordillera Career Development Center in La Trinidad, Benguet from Aug. 2 to 4, 2023, the Kuminwani Flair 2.0 Masterclass is organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (C...

The Insiklo bioconversion facility rears black soldier fly larvae that transform organic waste into animal feed and compost for crop production. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO FOUNDED by Joseph Navasero, Insiklo is a startup venture that is turning market and household wastes into feed and fertilizer with the aid of the insect called black soldier fly (BSF). According to the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca), about 500 kilograms of market waste from Los Baños municipality in Laguna province are sent every week to the Insiklo facility. Then the larvae of BSF devour food scrap, agricultural debris and manure, reducing the waste volume and odor into a nutrient-rich compost for use as organic fertilizer on crops. The ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO DAKOTA, a digital tool that can bolster sustainable production of food export commodities in Indonesia, is a demonstration of the power of agricultural technology, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) said. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said Dakota is a digital platform that will soon reach the okra farmers of Grobogan in Central Java, Indonesia. He said the tool helps farmers achieve international market standards and fair prices through transparent records of the quality control and agricultural practices applied to their commodities. "Searca Grants for Research towards Agricultural Innovative Solutions (Grains) supports digital innovations that reward sustainable practices, making a difference in ...

SENATE PRESIDENT MIGUEL ZUBIRI MANILA (August 8, 2023)—Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is pushing for the establishment of rice production zones (RPZs) with intensified government support. He said the country should start weaning its dependence away from imported rice and reduce the risk of food insecurity. He said the two recent typhoons badly hit Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), which roughly account for 40 percent of rice input and 80 percent of corn production. Thus, there is a need to establish "rice production zones and inundating it with government support and attention." The senate president said he made this proposal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the dinner hosted by the Chief Executive for members of the Philippine Senate in A...