The training is part of the capacity-building and staff development component of the project, Strengthening Agricultural Research and Development (ARD) towards ASEAN Integration. The activity aims to (i) discuss the research process; (ii) explain how research problems are formulated and hypotheses are tested; (iii) discuss research designs, data collection techniques, and analytical tools used in physical, natural, and social sciences; and (iv) explain how research findings are summarized and conclusions are drawn.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr., SEARCA Director, expressed his gratitude, first to DA-BAR, for their continuous trust and confidence to SEARCA in implementing their projects, and secondly, to the participants for their willingness to participate in the training. Dr. Saguiguit stressed the importance of the training workshop in building the ARD institutions in the country towards ASEAN Integration. He noted the significance of the integration to the country in terms of development; in particular, to the agricultural sector, as it needs to gear-up on investing in research and development, new innovations, and capacity building activities that promote productivity. He iterated that through this training, the participants may be equipped with the information and tools to do research that will ultimately benefit Philippine agriculture.
The training-workshop was divided into three parallel sessions, namely, Physical, Natural, and Social Science; and the following lectures were delivered:
Physical Science
- Modelling and Experimentation in Solving and Predicting Physical Phenomena, and Computer Programs used for Data Analysis by Dr. Victor A. Rodulfo Jr., Research Specialist
- Research Methods and Methodology, and Research Methods in Physical Science and its Application to Agricultural Research and Development by Dr. Arthur L. Fajardo, Resource Person
Natural Science
- Agricultural Research and Research Process, Data Collection, and Research Design by Dr. Jose Nestor M. Garcia, Training Needs Assessment and Capacity Building Specialist
- Statistical Analysis in Agricultural Data by Dr. Consorcia E. Reano, Resource Person
Social Science
- Impact Evaluation Methods by Dr. Prudenciano U. Gordoncillo, Project Leader
- Data Collection on Social Science Research by Dr. Imelda R. Molina, Institutional Development Specialist
- Regression Analysis and Qualitative Dependent Models by Dr. Marc Jim Mariano, Research Specialist
In his closing remarks, Dr. Nicomedes Eleazar, DA-BAR Director, expressed his gratitude to SEARCA for the implementation of the training and to the participants for taking time to join the activity. Dr. Eleazar noted the country’s situation towards ASEAN Integration, as it poses challenges in the agricultural sector and how DA formulates steps in improving the sector through increased investment on R&D. He added that with DA-BAR’s efforts in capability-building activities, DA-BAR had seen significant increase in the quality of researches in RFOs, coinciding with BAR’s initiative in supporting projects that ensures productivity in crops that eventually provides additional income to farmers through appropriate technology. He added that with the ASEAN Integration, the sector must ensure that researches must be relevant and responsive to its current needs. Dr. Eleazar pointed out the importance of the training in reviewing the research process and upgrading research knowledge that should be at par with the current trends in R&D. He ended by stating that BAR sets its sights on productivity, especially on researchers as human capital to be equipped in doing quality research. He encouraged the participants to bring home what they would be learning, as it will benefit not only themselves and their institutions, but also the entire agricultural sector.
The Project Team was led by Dr. Prudenciano U. Gordoncillo, Project Leader, with the project consultants, namely: Dr. Victor A. Rodulfo Jr., Research Specialist; Dr. Jose Nestor M. Garcia, Training Needs Assessment and Capacity Building Specialist; Dr. Imelda R. Molina, Institutional Development Specialist; and Dr. Marc Jim Mariano, Research Specialist. Ms. Maylyn Desamparo, Mr. Arvin Carandang, and Mr. Lyndon Peña. Project Assistants from the SEARCA Project Development and Technical Services, provided technical and administrative support in the conduct of the event.
