Agricultural Resources Management Research Division

PCAARRD-funded M3DAS Project has estimated the farm machines and implements needed to modernize and enhance sugarcane production in areas covered by Bukidnon Milling District. Initial results were presented in a validation workshop recently held in Maramag, Bukidnon.

Participants assessed surveyed data, provided feedbacks, and shared insights on the state of mechanization in the areas covered by Bukidnon Milling District. Present were chairpersons and members of sugarcane planters’ associations and cooperatives in Bukidnon, sugarcane farmers, millers, agricultural technicians from the local government units, officials and staff of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), DOST-PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD), and UPLB’s Center for Agri-fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH).

In her message of support, ARMRD Director Ms. Maria Teresa L. de Guzman acknowledged participation of workshop participants and expressed unwavering support to M3DAS project team and activities.

Modernizing sugarcane production operation through the use of efficient machines and implements is among the strategies to improve the sugarcane industry. This was recognized amidst issues on farmers ageing population, labor scarcity, low productivity, and other challenges that the industry is facing.

Through the Mobile Survey App, the data and information on sugarcane machines and implements have been collected, analyzed, stored in a comprehensive database system, and mapped accordingly. These outputs will be useful for policy and decision-makers in the government when planning, budgeting, and managing the sugarcane mechanization resources in the country.

M3DAS stands for “Mechanization Resource Mapping, Monitoring, and Data Analysis System.” UPLB-BIOMECH developed M3DAS. Its deployment to SRA as one of the major end users is ongoing. UPLB-BIOMECH implements the project in collaboration with SRA. Funding comes primarily from DOST-PCAARRD with counterpart funds and support from SRA and UPLB. The validation workshop is one of the project activities within the purview of ARMRD’s monitoring and evaluation initiatives.

Project -BIOMECH -PCAARRD

PCAARRD-funded project “Deployment of a Data-Driven Assessment System (M3DAS) of the Mechanization Resources of the Sugarcane Industry for Improved Mechanization and Field Productivity,” recently held data validation workshop for Pampanga Mill District.

Initial findings of the survey and analysis of results were presented, validated, and discussed among stakeholders. Participants include officials and staff of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Luzon Agricultural Research and Extension Center; Department of Agriculture (DA)- Municipal Agriculture Office; DA-Regional Agricultural Engineering Division; sugarcane plantation farmers; and members of sugarcane cooperatives and associations in the province.

M3DAS or Mechanization Resource Mapping, Monitoring, and Data Analysis System uses a mobile survey application, a comprehensive database, and web maps of the location, ownership, condition, and other information on the machines and implements available for sugarcane production in the country.

The Center for Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH) of the College of Engineering and Agro Industrial Technology of the University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) developed M3DAS through the leadership of Engr. Marife R. Santiago. The outputs will be useful in strategic planning, efficient budgeting, and effective identification, allocation and distribution of machines and implements for enhanced sugarcane production in the country.

This project is under the PCAARRD's Strategic S&T Program for Sugarcane and is supported, monitored and evaluated by PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division.

IN PROGRESS: TESTING OF A LOW-COST COOLING STORAGE SYSTEM FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

To reduce postharvest losses, experimental trials of bitter gourd and eggplant are being conducted in a CoolBot®-controlled cold storage room of Central Luzon State University (CLSU). The cold storage room was designed and developed by the College of Agriculture and Food Science of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (CAFS-UPLB) .

The trials form part of the validation and optimization of science-based interventions on low cost cooling systems and natural preservation treatments, currently being studied under the program “Strategic Postharvest Research for Innovative and Novel Technologies for Horticulture Industry Development,” or SPRINT-Hort.

This program led by UPLB is funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).

Its component project 1 on “Postharvest Systems Improvement of Selected Horticultural Value Chains,” is being implemented in collaboration with CLSU. Aside from the experimental trials, CLSU project staff Assistant Professor Joan A. Bayla and her team performed value chain mapping of tomato, mango, bitter gourd, and eggplant to identify critical loss points and the needed postharvest interventions.

DOST-PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) visited the storage facility recently. Discussion points include ARMRD’s observations, the project’s progress based on the work plans, and other technical and administrative issues and concerns.

The SPRINT-Hort program aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the horticulture industry through improvement of handling systems and development of postharvest innovations.

Aside from CLSU, UPLB implements the program in cooperation with Benguet State University, Central Luzon State University, Camarines Norte State College, Nueva Vizcaya State University, and Visayas State University.

2026 IRODEO Conference in Masbate City

The 3rd International Research Opportunities, Development, and Extension Outcomes (IRODEO) Conference kicked off on April 13-15, 2026 in Masbate City, alongside the lively Rodeo Masbateño Festival. It was participated in by different state universities & colleges from across the country, along with international partners, for a shared exchange of ideas and innovations.

One of the highlights was the plenary session on “Global Synergies for Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems” by Ms. Maria Teresa L. De Guzman, Director of ARMRD. It emphasized the power of collaboration among local and international partners in building resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.

Project SARAI-Bicol proudly served as a partner of IRODEO 2026, strengthening its collaboration with Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) in pushing forward a shared goal: a more modern and climate-resilient agricultural sector.

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A prototype locally- developed banana leaf syngeing equipment is expected to speed up heating of banana leaves for wrapping “suman” or sticky rice delicacy in Mindoro.

The equipment is composed of a rice hull
carbonizer, an automated control
system, and a conveyor. It is expected to minimize exposure of workers to health hazardous smoke normally encountered in the traditional, manual, and labor-intensive syngeing process.

The project that developed and tested this equipment was presented in a Project Review organized by PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD).

In her welcome remarks , Mindoro State University (MinSU) President Dr. Enya Marie D. Apostol emphasized the importance of a research that is replicable, scalable, and impactful.

Meanwhile, ARMRD Director Maria Teresa L. de Guzman recognized the efforts of the project team in accomplishing the project objectives and deliverables, especially as the project will soon be completed next month.

MinSU project leader Engr. Mark Keylord S. Onal and his team mates, upon presentation of project accomplishments and outputs, demonstrated to participants how the system works.

He expressed commitment to continue with the improvement of the equipment until the partner industry FM Bolus Corporation is able to use it for processing “Suman sa Lihiya”— a famous rice delicacy in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro.

ARMRD monitors the project “Development of Automated Banana Leaf Singeing Technology using Continuous -Type Rice Hull (CtRH) Carbonizer,” funded by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) under its Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy Program.

DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center and DOST-MIMAROPA partnered with MinSU in implementing the project. Representatives of these agencies participated in the monitoring and evaluation activities of PCAARRD-ARMRD.

ANG SARAI AY BUKAS NA SA CAGAYAN!

HAPPENING NOW: Launching of "SARAI Provincial Hub" and "Cagayan Innovation Hub (iHub)" at Capitol Hills, Tuguegarao City

"The opening of the provincial hub marks a significant step in localizing SARAI technologies, ensuring that science reaches farmers in ways that are accessible, practical, and responsive to regional needs," said Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director, in his message of support.

Today’s event in Cagayan marks the start of stronger collaboration and expanded technical capacity with LGUs, farmers, and community partners.

This event is joined by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, Cagayan Governor Edgar Aglipay, DOST Regional Director Virginia Bilgera, UPLB SARAI CeNTRO Dr. Victoria Espaldon, Dr. Decibel Eslava, Prof. Moises Dorado, and other local government leaders.

DOST-PCAARRD champions SARAI CenTRO at the Higher Education Summit (HES) 2026.

The DOST-funded program, SARAI Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO), is one of the featured initiatives at the HES 2026.

As one of the technologies featured for the event themed “Achieving Sustainable Futures: Transformative Higher Education for Human Capital, Innovation, and Global Responsibility,” the SARAI CeNTRO exhibit demonstrates how science-based tools can support climate-resilient and data-driven agriculture. This is through the presentation of SARAI technologies such as BanaTech, Smarter Pest Identification Technology (SPIDTECH), Community-Level SARAI Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring Systems (CL-SEAMS), and the SARAI Knowledge Portal.

SARAI CeNTRO serves as a platform that links producers, monitors, implementers, and decision-makers to support the digital transformation of agriculture in the Philippines.

The ongoing implementation of SARAI is being carried out nationwide through the establishment of a Central Hub at UPLB and its mirroring across all DOST Regional Offices to support the deployment of its systems and technologies.

SARAI CenTRO is monitored by DOST-PCAARRD through its Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD).

To know more about science-driven solutions for agriculture, visit the SARAI CeNTRO booth at the SMX Convention Center Clark, Angeles City on March 10–11, 2026.

The Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) of DOST-PCAARRD joined the launching of the SARAI CenTRO (Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations) for Central Visayas on March 4, 2026, at the DOST VII Regional Office at Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City. This newly-launched hub is also known as the Smart AgriTech Hub.

As the monitoring agency for this program, DOST-PCAARRD continues to support initiatives that promote science-based, data-driven, and technology-enabled interventions to guide agricultural decision-making across the regions.

The event coincided with the launching of the DOST VII Regional Innovation Hub (iHub), reinforcing collaborative efforts to advance science, technology, and innovation for the benefit of farmers and other stakeholders in Central Visayas.

DOST-PCAARRD’s Agricultural Resources Management Research Division (ARMRD) and Applied Communication Division (ACD) showcased R&D initiatives and disseminated PCAARRD-produced publications during the "4th Organic Agriculture Fair" (OA Fair) held at the Organic Agriculture Research, Development, and Extension Center (OARDEC) of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Publications distributed included the "Training Manual on Organic Agriculture in the Philippines" and Information Bulletins on the organic production of nine crops: ampalaya, cucumber, eggplant, okra, lettuce, pepper, pole sitao, squash, tomato, and carrot. These materials were shared with students, researchers, extension workers, and farmers who attended the event.

The OA Fair is an annual event organized by the Agricultural Systems Institute - College of Agriculture and Food Science (ASI-CAFS), the Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Organic Agriculture (IdSC-OA), and the UPLB Foundation, Inc. (UPLB-FI) as part of its commitment in intensifying awareness and engagement of the general public on the science and practice of organic agriculture.