Crops Research Division

28/08/2026

DOST-PCAARRD through its Crops Research Division (CRD) officially launched the project “Development of Scalable 𝘐𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰 Regeneration Systems for Musa Propagation” during an inception meeting.

Led by Ms. Sherry Anne G. Rodriguez of the University of the Philippines Los Baños-Institute of Plant Breeding (UPLB-IPB), the project is designed to address gaps in existing banana production systems, access to high quality planting materials, and reliable 𝘪𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰 regeneration systems.

Heading the meeting was CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, along with the division’s Program Development and Resource Generation Section Head Renelle C. Yebron, Program Monitoring and Evaluation Section Kristine Joy P. de Guzman, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Banana Fredric C. Odejar, and key personnel from CRD, OED-RD, and FAD-Accounting.

28/08/2026

DOST-PCAARRD conducted the Ubi Industry Research and Development (R&D) Collaboration Meeting to discuss the current status, key challenges, existing initiatives, plans, and identify priority R&D areas for the sustainable development of the Philippine ubi industry.

The activity served as a platform for representatives from research and development institutions, government agencies, and the private sector to identify industry concerns, and explore opportunities for collaboration in strengthening R&D initiatives for ubi.

Present at the meeting were representatives from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), Visayas State University (VSU), Bohol Island State University (BISU), Benguet State University (BSU), DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR), DA-Bureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI), Santeh Aquaculture Science and Technology Foundation, and technical expert, Dr. Villaluz Z. Acedo.

The activity was led by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, Crops Research Division (CRD) Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, Assistant Director Sharie Al-Faiha A. Lubang, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Sweetpotato and Other Root Crops Rhesa Miren A. Ignacio, together with Socio-Economics Research Division (SERD) Officer-in-Charge Meliza F. Abeleda and other key staff from the Council.

27/08/2026

𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐀𝐏📣

The DOST-PCAARRD Crops Research Division (CRD) brought together researchers and technical personnel from Research and Development Institutes across 15 regions for the Research Proposal Development and Mentoring Workshop at Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The workshop aims to strengthen the development and packaging of high-quality, relevant, and impactful research proposals for 17 crop commodities, aligned with the Crops Research and Development (R&D) Agenda of DOST-PCAARRD.

The event was officially opened by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening research capacity and collaboration toward more responsive agricultural R&D.

The first day featured discussions of the Crops R&D Agenda and proposal packaging process, including DPMIS submission, and hands-on workshop sessions on workplan preparation and financial monitoring. Participants are mentored by CRD project managers to refine their research concepts and translate ideas into more structured proposals.

📸: Pauline Davis E. Caparas / Ervin M. Naval

27/08/2026

19/08/2026

13/08/2026

The Research Proposal Development and Mentoring Workshop organized by the Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD moved into its second day, deepening participants’ understanding of how well-designed research can be translated into technologies, products, services, and practical solutions for priority crop commodities.

Day 2 featured discussions on the DOST-GIA Guidelines, Monitoring and Evaluation Process, Technology Transfer Pathways and Technology Plan Preparation, and Presentation Guidelines, complemented by interactive workshops and mentoring sessions.

Through these, CRD continues to strengthen researchers’ capacity to develop responsive and well-conceived R&D proposals aligned with the Crops Research and Development (R&D) Agenda of DOST-PCAARRD.

📸: Pauline Davis E. Caparas / Ervin M. Naval

12/08/2026

The DOST-PCAARRD Crops Research Division (CRD) brought together researchers and technical personnel from Research and Development Institutes across 15 regions for the Research Proposal Development and Mentoring Workshop at Alabang, Muntinlupa City. The workshop aims to strengthen the development and packaging of high quality, relevant, and impactful research proposals for 17 crop commodities, aligned with the Crops Research and Development (R&D) Agenda of DOST-PCAARRD.

The event was officially opened by DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora and CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of strengthening research capacity and collaboration toward more responsive agricultural R&D.

The first day featured discussions of the Crops R&D Agenda and proposal packaging process, including DPMIS submission, and hands-on workshop sessions on workplan preparation and financial monitoring. Participants are mentored by CRD project managers to refine their research concepts and translate ideas into more structured proposals.

📸: Pauline Davis E. Caparas / Ervin M. Naval

07/08/2026

The Crops Research Division (CRD) of DOST-PCAARRD recently conducted the Pre-Terminal Review and Evaluation of two (2) ongoing projects on Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) being implemented by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), which focus on establishing improved management practices and enhancing the productivity of coconut hybrids.

The first project, “Optimizing Coconut Nursery Management for Hybrid and Parentals,” led by Dr. Annalissa L. Aquino, established seednut nurseries for hybrid and parental coconut varieties and evaluated nursery management practices in Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)-managed and private farms to improve seednut germination and seedling establishment.

Meanwhile, the second project, “Improving Nutrient Management Using Mycorrhiza-based Biofertilizer for Coconut Hybrids in Quezon and Laguna,” led by Dr. Nicola Louise T. Timbas, generated baseline data and established field experiments and demonstration farms to evaluate the use of mycorrhiza-based biofertilizers in hybrid coconut production.

The review was led by DOST-PCAARRD Deputy Executive Director for Research and Development Juanito T. Batalon, together with CRD Director Leilani D. Pelegrina, and S&T Consultants Juanito B. Sangalang and Ramon L. Rivera. Representatives from the UPLB Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IV-A were also present in the activity.

📷: Maria Rae Lynne J. Rasgo / Gian G. Nepomuceno

05/08/2026

We're HIRING! 💼

DOST-PCAARRD's Crops Research Division (CRD) is looking for a Project Technical Assistant IV!

Click here for more details: https://pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/index.php/job-vacancies

Please submit your applications to FAD-Personnel Office through their email at [email protected]

04/08/2026

DOST-PCAARRD, through the Crops Research Division (CRD), officially launched the project titled “Participatory Management of Leaf- and Root-Feeding Beetles through Semiochemical-Based Trapping and Autodissemination of Entomopathogenic Fungi,” during a recent inception meeting.

Led by Dr. Joel L. Adorada of the Bureau of Plant Industry–Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC), the project will be implemented in collaboration with De La Salle University (DLSU) and the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office IV-A (DA RFO IV-A).

The project aims to develop bait-and-release systems that use semiochemicals to attract target leaf- and root-feeding beetles and facilitate the dissemination of entomopathogenic fungi. Through this approach, the project seeks to provide an effective and sustainable strategy for managing economically important leaf- and root-feeding beetles.

The activity was led by CRD’s Program Development and Resource Generation Head Renelle C. Yebron, together with Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Vegetables Joel Norman R. Panganiban, along with key personnel.

📷: Shein Ann R. delos Reyes