IFSU welcomes DOST-PCAARRD, BAI-NSPRDC monitoring team


Ifugao State University (IFSU) welcomed the monitoring team from the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Bureau of Animal Industry-National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center of the Department of Agriculture- (DA- BAI NSPRDC) led by, Dr. Ronilo O. de Castro, Mr. Alfredo M. Parungao, Science Research Specialists of Livestock Research Division and Mr. Mat San Agustin, Poultry Unit Head of BAI NSPRDC to the lone Higher Education Institution of Ifugao province on June 7-9, 2022.

The visit highlighted the progress monitoring of the University’s Research and Development (R&D) project titled, “Development of Philippine Signature Muscovy Duck Breed”, which was approved and funded by the DOST-PCAARRD.

Approved in 2021, the 4-year implementation of the project started in January 2022 with BAI-NSPRDC as the project’s co-implementer in Quezon province. The project aims to develop a Philippine signature Muscovy duck breed with specific objectives to develop breeding and selection protocol, develop sustainable breeding, production and distribution systems, establish phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, evaluate production performance and sensory characteristics of products and evaluate the profitability of breeder and slaughter duck production enterprises.

The team, assisted by the Department of Research and Development director and project leader, Dr. Elpidio B. Basilio, Jr. visited a potential private partner in Barangay Mabatobato, Lamut, Ifugao who earlier expressed his willingness in the development of a Philippine signature Muscovy duck breed. The team also visited the breeding site where 10 units of Muscovy ducks housing are to be constructed at the University’s Demo Farm in Lamut campus to house the 130 foundation stocks. Moreover, they also visited the established forage site where sweet potatoes and upland kangkong are planted as source of nutrients for the foundation stocks.

Following the field visit was a consultation with the faculty and students from the College of Agriculture and Home Sciences on possible R&D collaboration.

During an exit conference on June 8, Project leader Dr. Basilio,Jr. presented the progress of the project. Meanwhile, recommendations were also conveyed by the funding agency and the project’s co-implementer. The team also met and discussed with Dr. Leudane L. Loñez, Bids and Awards Committee member and Ms. Christine Dinagtuan, Income Generating Project Director and Ms. Aiko Lyre Sonico, the accountant in charge of special projects, on procurement and financial matters.

The DOST PCAARRD and BAI NSPRDC team was warmly welcomed by Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, University President, in a courtesy visit accompanied by Dr. Basilio Jr.