A total of 32 research and development (R&D) studies from the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Carabao Center (DA-PCC) were presented during its annual in-house review held at the Eusebio-Castillo Hall, DA-PCC National Headquarters and Gene Pool, in Science City of Muñoz from September 25 to 27.
The event highlighted the agency’s latest research efforts in the livestock sector, specifically focusing on water buffalo production.
Over the three-day event, best papers were recognized in different categories per thematic area:
Best Research Paper in Socio-economics, Environment, and Policy category: “The Financial Viability of the Dairy Buffalo Farming Business” presented by Zadieshar G. Sanchez
Best Research Paper in Technology Transfer category: “Examining the Effectiveness of School-on-the-Air on Dairy Buffalo Production II CALABARZON: An Analysis of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Participating Farmers” presented by Kyla A. Rodriguez
Best Research Paper in Production System and Nutrition category: “Development of Probiotics with Moringa Extract as Feed Supplement for the Health and Production Performance of Water Buffalos (Bubalus bubalis)” presented by Anne Franchette Asuncion.
Best Development Paper in Animal Health and Biosafety category: “Development of a prototype for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection or screening of lumpy skin disease (LSD)” presented by Dr. Arren Christian M. de Giua
Best Development Paper in Animal Breeding and Genomics: “Presence of PRLR-slick mutation in Philippine cattle: A PCR approach to genetic frequency analysis” presented by Alexander M. Paraguas
Best Undergraduate Research: “Effect of fermentation and processing procedures on the quality and safety of shelf-stable carabeef sausage sticks” presented by JC Medel A. Victorio
Best Post-Graduate Research: “Whole genome sequencing of the Philippine Swamp buffalo and initial insights from the 1000 buffalo genomes project” by Paulene S. Pineda
According to Dr. Eric P. Palacpac, Officer-in-Charge of the Research and Development Division (RDD), the event highlighted research across seven thematic study areas divided into two categories—development paper and research paper. He explained that research papers focused on generating and expanding knowledge, while development studies aimed at translating research into practical solutions for the carabao and livestock industry.
Executive Director Dr. Liza G. Battad expressed her hope that the technologies presented would be implemented at the industry level to enhance carabao profitability and productivity. Meanwhile, Deputy Executive Director for Production and Research Dr. Claro N. Mingala emphasized the significance of the event in highlighting DA-PCC’s research efforts, noting that DA-PCC could evolve into a national livestock research institute with a broader focus beyond water buffalo.
The panel of reviewers for the research papers included experts from the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and Central Luzon State University (CLSU) including Dr. April Shayne Lobaton Sulabo, Dr. Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Dr. Rommel C. Sulabo, Dr. Joice V. San Andres, and Dr. Maria Excelsis M. Orden.
The annual in-house review is part of DA-PCC’s preparation for major scientific conventions, such as those organized by the Philippine Society of Animal Science (PSAS) and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). The review also tracks the progress and impact of DA-PCC’s livestock studies for the benefit of stakeholders and partner agencies.
