The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) bagged an “AFMA R&D Paper Award” during the 31st National Research Symposium (NRS) held last October 16, 2019 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.
The AFMA (Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act) research award is given to researchers in recognition of their works that led to “new technologies, information, processes, or systems that are papers were evaluated and 80 made it through the competition.
The study entitled “Genetic Diversity of the Philippine Carabao Using mtDNA(COI) and Microsatellite Markersn (FAO STRs)’ was spearheaded by Lilian Villamor, PCC Senior Science Research Specialist, thru a financial grant from the DA Biotech. This was selected as of the four paper qualifiers in the Basic/Upstream research category.
This year’s symposium theme is “Gearing up the Agriculture Fishery Sectors through Holistic Research and Development towards Regenerative Development.” The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA–BAR) spearheaded the conduct of the
event. DA Assistant Secretary for Special Affairs and DA-BAR Director Nicomedes Eleazar noted that NRS is a major event where outstanding researches, researchers, and scientists are given due recognition.
“Our research findings elucidated one of the longest standing questions if there is really genetic diversity Philippine Carabaos sub-populations. This award re-confirms our worthy contribution in livestock researcg,” Villamor said.
The PCC’s study was anchored on the determination of the presence of genetic diversity of Philippine Carabao across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. About 941 animals were analyzed as per “molecular and morphological characteristics.”
Two distinct clusters emerged. It was found that “Swamp 1 in Luzon” have bigger neck, head, and horns, heftier, and is bigger compared to “Swamp 2 in Visayas”. This is crucial since genetic diversity should be deemed for strategic conservation and management.
Other authors of the research are Dr. Ester Flores, Aivhie Jhoy Escuadro, Alexander Paraguas, and Therese Patricka Cailipan from the PCC’s Research and Development Division.
Annually, the symposium serves as an avenue to showcase noteworthy outputs of local scientist and researchers of DA units and attached agencies, universities, and other government instituitions in the field of agriculture and fishery.
