GALING PCAARRD: Championing AANR amid crisis through science, technology, and innovation

Amid compounding global climate and economic crises, the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector plays a vital…

Mark Rem

Nov 10, 2026 - 14:00

GALING PCAARRD: Championing AANR amid crisis through science, technology, and innovation

Amid compounding global climate and economic crises, the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector plays a vital role in increasing and sustaining food production while protecting environmental integrity. However, the sector continues to face challenges that threaten the sector’s productivity and sustainability, including climate change, natural hazards, and emerging risks. Addressing these challenges requires sustained efforts and innovative solutions from government institutions, particularly through investments in research and development (R&D).

Recognizing the need to strengthen the sector’s capacity to respond to the challenges, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) continued to champion science, technology, and innovation (STI)-driven initiatives that address pressing concerning affecting the AANR sector.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when food supply chains became vulnerable and communities faced heightened food insecurity and economic difficulties, the Council launched the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals (GALÌNG) PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19 Program. This emergency response initiative helped mitigate the effects of the pandemic through information sharing, food production and distribution, and livelihood projects. Designed as a proactive platform for delivering AANR science and technology innovations to communities nationwide, the program seeks to help address the continuing impacts of climate change, food supply disruptions, and other crises affecting the sector.

Beyond crisis response, DOST-PCAARRD, together with its partner institutions, has consistently supported STI-driven solutions to improve productivity, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainability across the AANR sector.

In the crops sector, the Council has supported initiatives to improve agricultural productivity and competitiveness. These include the development of Dioscoro 1, an abaca hybrid resistant to abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV); advancements in coconut hybridization and propagation; the development of improved vegetable varieties; and the deployment of digital tools for crop management.

ZamPen, or Zamboanga Peninsula native chicken, was developed through the purification of ‘Joloano’ chicken, a native breed traditionally raised in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The purification process resulted in improved egg production, increasing the average yield from 105 eggs to 140 eggs per hen per year. Research projects implemented by the Western Mindanao State University and J.H. Cerilles State College has demonstrated the potential of ZamPen native chicken production as a sustainable livelihood opportunity for rural communities in the region. — Image credit: Reinier Josef D. Abagat and Karl Vincent S. Mendez, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services and Ms. Ma. Jocelyn Cuadra, WMSU

In the livestock sector, notable achievements include the genetic improvement of native chicken breeds, such as Darag, ZamPen and Caraga Black native chickens, as well as the development of ItikPINAS duck lines. These improved genetic resources aimed to provide farmers with more predictable production performance and consistent product quality.

Some coral species are more resilient to coral bleaching than others. Through coral reef monitoring in selected areas of the West Philippine Sea from 2022 to 2025, researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman-Marine Science Institute (UPD MSI) found that the impacts of coral bleaching vary across the site. The monitoring was conducted under the DOST-PCAARRD funded project, “Impacts of Marine Heatwaves in Select West Philippine Sea Reefs,” which examines the relationship between rising ocean temperatures and coral reef health. The project also forms part of a broader international collaborative initiative with Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology and Japan’s Science and Technology Agency titled, “Marine Heat Waves in the Western Pacific: Detection, Mechanisms and the Impacts on the Coral Reef Ecosystem.” The initiative seeks to determine the occurrence, causes, and effects of marine heatwaves on coral reef ecosystems. — Image credit: Mr. Lowell Jay Tupaz, UPD MSI

For aquatic resources, the Council has supported improved mussel and oyster culture systems, the development of disease detection tools for aquaculture, and enhanced production technologies for tilapia and shrimp. These innovations help improve aquaculture productivity while addressing production and environmental challenges.

Pinoy Longline, a modified and cost-effective version of the longline culture system used in other countries, offers an improved approach to mussel production while helping growers adapt to extreme weather conditions. Adopted by local communities in Capiz, the technology has been observed to reduce sedimentation and promote faster mussel growth compared with conventional culture methods. The technology was jointly developed and tested by the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Capiz State University (CapSU), and Samar State University (SSU) with funding from DOST-PCAARRD. — Image credit: Gian Carlo D. Camacho, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services

Meanwhile, in the natural resources sector, DOST-PCAARRD has funded the development of 62 climate adaptation tools and 51 low-carbon production and circular economy technologies. R&D initiatives have also advanced coral reef assessment and restoration and marine biodiversity conservation. In addition, the Council has supported the development of climate resilience decision-support maps for 10 watersheds covering a total area of 740,866 hectares, providing valuable information for climate-informed planning and resource management.

A web- and mobile-based coconut mapping system developed by the Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) enables real-time profiling, geotagging, and performance assessment of hybrid coconut farms in Zamboanga Peninsula. The system strengthens data-driven decision-making and supports the wider adoption of coconut hybrids in the region. The technology was developed under the project, “Understanding Coconut Hybridization: Farmers’ Perception, Farm Performance, and Mapping of Hybrid Coconut in Region IX,” which addresses gaps in coconut hybrid adoption, farm performance evaluation, and access to relevant information. The project is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) through the Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP). — Image credit: Jose Rizal Memorial State University

These accomplishments represent only a fraction of the many AANR technologies and advancements that DOST-PCAARRD has helped advance through R&D funding and monitoring. Beyond generating knowledge and developing technologies, DOST-PCAARRD also works to bring these innovations closer to communities through technology deployment and extension activities that create livelihood opportunities and empower farmers and fisherfolk.

Since 2016, DOST-PCAARRD has supported 264 technology extension and deployment projects, involving 152 implementing and partner agencies across all 17 regions and 70 provinces, with a total investment of P691.49 million. Complementing these efforts, the Council’s Agri-Aqua Business Hub has benefited more than 4,300 stakeholders by connecting over 150 farmer groups, cooperatives, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and technology-based enterprises with institutional and commercial markets. These initiatives help bridge the gap between technology development and actual community and industry adoption, ensuring that the benefits of R&D reach intended beneficiaries.

Coconut sap is a nutrient-rich natural resource obtained from the coconut palm and serves as a raw material for various value-added products. Traditionally, sap is collected by making an incision on the coconut inflorescence and attaching a container to catch the flowing liquid. The collected sap can then be processed into various products, including coconut beverages such as lambanog and tubâ, coconut sugar, and coconut vinegar. Through a DOST-PCAARRD-funded project, researchers identified promising coconut varieties for sap production based on toddy yield, sap quality, and number of spathes for tapping. These varieties includePCA 15-2, PCA 15-1, PCA 15-3, Catigan Dwarf, and Malayan Red Dwarf. — Image credit: Gian Carlo D. Camacho, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services

The breadth of DOST-PCAARRD’s contribution to the Philippine AANR sector over more than five decades cannot be fully captured in a single narrative. The accomplishments highlighted here represent only a glimpse of the Council’s continuing efforts since the establishment of the Philippine Council for Agricultural Research (PCAR) on November 10, 1972, through Presidential Decree No. 48.

Following the merger of the Councils for agriculture, forestry, and natural resources research and aquatic and marine research, DOST-PCAARRD assumed a broader mandate covering the entire Philippine AANR. Today, as it marks the 54 years of advancing Philippine agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources research and development, the Council remains steadfast in its commitment to harnessing science, technology, and innovation toward a more productive, resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive AANR sector.

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