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</font></font><a class="date"><em><font color="#666666" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Posted 12 January 2008</font></em></a><br><br><a class="country"><font color="#336600" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">PHILIPPINES</font></a><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <br>
1-THE TOP 10 S&T NEWSMAKERS <br>2-ORIGINAL SOURCE OF CARBON IN FOSSIL FUEL, ALGAE EYED FOR DEVELOPMENT AS BIOFUEL FEEDSTOCK <br>3-NUEVA ECIJA PRESS CLUB HONORS BIOTECH JOURNALISTS <br>4-AN EASY WAY TO GERMINATE SAGO PALM SEEDS FOUND <br>
<br></font><a class="country"><font color="#336600" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">INDIA</font></a><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <br>5-FIRST DESI BT-COTTON VARIETY READY <br><br></font><a class="country"><font color="#336600" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">AFRICA</font></a><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <br>
6-UGANDA: GM CASSAVA READY FOR FIELD TRIALS <br><br></font><a class="country"><font color="#336600" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">GLOBAL</font></a><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <br>7-WORLD'S FIRST 'DROUGHT-TOLERANT' CORN READY BY 2010 <br>
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<div align="left"><br><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>1-THE TOP 10 S&T NEWSMAKERS</strong><br>09-January-2008 Manila Bulletin <br><br>As the first decade of the 21st century approaches its end, hints of a futuristic society with robots working side by side with humans and non-polluting vehicles using alternative fuels are appearing in the Philippines. <br>
<br>As the following advances in the fields of science and technology show, the Philippines has the potential to produce a cure for cancer as well as being home to new and undiscovered species. <br><br>The past year was indeed a good year for science, with the Philippines garnering international recognition for projects and inventions. In no particular order, WikiPilipinas.org presents the Top 10 Philippine developments in science and technology for 2008, plus one more welcome invention, which was introduced from abroad. <br>
<br><strong>THE BIG MAC.</strong> The Philippines' first anti-terrorism robot – a bomb-disposal robot made by a team of scientists and engineers from the Mapua Institute of Technology, MAC (Mechanical Anti-terrorist Concept) was publicly inducted as the latest "Police Inspector" of the Makati Police Force on October 15 of this year. <br>
<br>The Mapua team, headed by engineer Roel John Judilla, assembled the robot out of aluminum, fiberglass, and plastic. The two-foot high robot which runs on motorcycle batteries can travel at speeds up to15 kmh, has cameras with night vision capability, and uses instruments to test the toxicity level of the air following a chemical explosion. It can be controlled by remote control or by connected wires. A humane — if not human — invention, it allows the human police to stay out of harm's way when inspecting and disposing of bombs. <br>
<br><strong>HYDROGEN-POWERED CAR CREATED BY DANIEL DINGEL.</strong> With an engine filled with ordinary water, Daniel Dingel's car suggests a solution to the oil crisis. The12-volt car battery under the hood of his Toyota Corolla provides the electricity to convert saltwater into hydrogen and oxygen, like a mini hydrogen reactor. Skeptics claim that this is impossible, but Taiwan investors have recently taken interest in the invention which Dingel conceptualized nearly 40 years ago. <br>
<br><strong>ANTI-POLLUTION DEVICE CREATED BY ROBERT CELIS.</strong> Another Filipino inventor has also found a way to use water as a fuel, in this case a supplement to any engine fuel. This will not only use up less gasoline but reduce the fuel emissions that pollute the air. The 74-year-old inventor from Marikina City invented this device he calls the hydrogasifier in order to reduce pollution from vehicle emissions, but found that it also enhanced the power of the engine and reduced fuel consumption by 30-50 percent. Vehicles that use the device not only release less pollution but add some 6.5 percent to 7.6 percent oxygen to the air. <br>
<br>Celis is trying to attract the interest of the Philippine government in his hydrogasifier, pointing out that it could also be adapted for use in factories to reduce industrial pollutants. <br><br><strong>NEW CORAL SPECIES DISCOVERED BY DR. EDGARDO GOMEZ.</strong> New species of corals have been discovered in the waters of the Kalayaan Islands a few months ago by Dr. Edgardo Gomez, marine biologist and professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. <br>
<br>Gomez observed that there are 36 coral species per square meter in Talim Bay, Batangas, which might include new species. This is very likely given that the Philippines is known to have the greatest diversity of corals in the world, despite the endangerment of its coral reefs. <br>
<br><strong>RP SCIENCE PROGRAMS FEATURED IN SCIENCE MAGAZINE.</strong> An article entitled "Philippines Plans Research Revival" appeared in the prominent US publication Science Magazine December 2008 issue. Written by Dennis Normile, the article showcased how the Philippines is establishing effective scientific research and development programs through teamwork between government agencies and the science and engineering industries. <br>
<br>Especially focused on were the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), a division of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The DOST's "Balik Scientist" program, which attempts to persuade Filipino scientists and engineers abroad to return to the Philippines by offering them positions in the science and technology sector, was given importance in the article. <br>
<br><strong>FILIPINO STUDENTS ARE GIVEN ACCESS TO FREE SOFTWARE.</strong> Under its DreamSpark program, Microsoft is offering free software to about 4,000 Philippine college students from the Junior Philippine Computer Society (JPCS), which will aid the students in developing their own software. Students will enjoy the use of new Microsoft developer and designer tools, including the Visual Studio 2008 professional edition, the XNA Game Studio 2.0, and the Expression Studio and the database software developer tools SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition and Windows Server Standard Edition. <br>
<br>Not only will they be able to download US0-plus programs free of charge, but they will also have access to free online training direct from Microsoft. Tim Vergel de Dios, academic developer of Microsoft Philippines, adds that Microsoft will help these students get jobs after they graduate. <br>
<br><strong>PINOY KIDS WIN ROBOT OLYMPIAD SILVER.</strong> At the World Robot Olympiad held in Yokohama, Japan last November, a team of three elementary pupils was awarded a silver medal for their presentation. <br><br>The students, Joseph Aldrin Chua, Edrich Hans Chua, and Dominique Hannah Sy, from Grace Christian Elementary School, were the first Filipinos to win a medal in the Open Category in the Elementary Level at the Olympiad. <br>
<br>Their entry, which they called "Green Whiz Community and the G-Tech Robot Engineering a Better World," consisted of 12 robots. These robots performed a number of tasks which help in saving the environment, showing how technology can be used to avert the destruction of the earth. <br>
<br><strong>ELECTRIC JEEPNEYS USED IN MAKATI CITY.</strong> In cooperation with GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) and Greenpeace, the Makati City Government began using jeepneys powered by electricity. <br>
<br>These jeepneys were created by the Philippine renewable energy source firm Solar Electric Company. It runs on 12 batteries that require eight hours of charging. It can carry 15 passengers aside from the driver and can run for at least 100 kilometers daily at 40 kilometers per hour. They were assembled locally by PhUV Inc., the business arm of the Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (MVPMAP). The vehicles underwent pilot testing for a year and are now being licensed by the Land Transport Offic (LTO). <br>
<br>These vehicles can be charged using a component that utilizes biodegradable wastes from Makati City's food outlets and wet markets in generating electricity. <br><br><strong>CANCER TRACKER NAMED BPI-DOST 'BEST PROJECT'.</strong> A study that explores how green fluorescent protein from corals can be used to track the growth of cancer cells in the human body won for Best Project of the Year in the 2008 BPI-DOST Science Awards. <br>
<br>This was the project of Carla Gisela Ysabel P. Concepcion, a graduating BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student from the University of the Philippines. <br><br><strong>UNDERWATER ROBOT WINS TOP AWARD IN DOST CONTEST.</strong> The top award in the annual Aquatic Technology Competition and Marketplace (ATCOM) was given to an underwater robot constructed by Philippine engineers. <br>
<br>Operated by remote control, the robot can perform underwater explorations and can send live video footage to its human controller on a boat. This has potential for use in monitoring coral reefs and inspecting underbellies of oil rigs and ships, underwater pipelines, dams, dikes, water tanks, canals, and reservoirs for potential and existing leaks. Compared to a human diver, the robot can perform these tasks more exhaustively and the cost for its operation is a lot less. <br>
<br><strong>E-CHARGE AVAILABLE IN THE PHILIPPINES.</strong> It isn't a new technology, and it wasn't developed in the Philippines. Nevertheless, this public service is welcome in a country with about 50 million cellular phone users. Equipped with LCD screens showing advertisements, these machines which allow recharging of all types of mobile phones can be found at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, at Metropolis Starmall and Alabang Town Center. Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City, SuperFerry terminal and other places with plenty of human traffic will soon feature this convenience as well.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>2-ORIGINAL SOURCE OF CARBON IN FOSSIL FUEL, ALGAE EYED FOR DEVELOPMENT AS BIOFUEL FEEDSTOCK</strong><br>by Melody M. Aguiba<br>03-January-2009 Manila Bulletin<br>
<br>The original source of carbon in fossil fuel oil, algae, is now eyed to be extensively developed as a substantially economical biofuel feedstock in the Philippines. <br><br>A Filipino National Program leader of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said microalgae biofuel can well replace much of the country's fuel requirement as much as algae is studied to displace the US's fuel oil needs. <br>
<br>"Considering our limited land area, we can go for microalgae (which has) the highest energy content. Microalgae needs a very small area (but will) satisfy your fuel requirement because its biomass is 50 percent oil. (Its use in the US is) not significant at the moment. But the US will only use 0.2 percent of its land area to meet all liquid fuel needs," said the USDA's Dr. Catalino A. Blanche in an interview. <br>
<br>Blanche said he has touched based with some investigators at the Marine Science Institute (MSI) who have started developing marine algae as potential source of fuel. <br><br>Among marine species being studied for algae biofuel worldwide are the Botryococcus braunii, Chlorella, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Gracilaria, Pleurochrysis carterae, and Sargassum. <br>
<br>US biofuel producer MicroAlgae Technologies said that the use of this technology is economically advantageous as algae cells can divide once daily and "create up to 1,000 times more biomass per hectare" than other biofuel crops like corn or sugarcane. <br>
<br>Blanche said the country has advantage in using its marine resource as source of fuel. <br><br>"I think Gisel Concepcion (of MSI and) a group that studies marine algae and freshwater algae (are already working on it). The marine (algae fuel source is) interesting because you can just harvest the sea for this microalgae," he said. <br>
<br>The National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the US has been looking at an extensive use of algal fuel since algae is estimated to have an oil yield of 1,200 to 10,000 gallons per acre which isthe highest yield among 10 crops studied. <br>
<br>This study showed a comparative yield per acre of only 18 gallons for corn, 35 gallons for cotton, 48 gallons for soybean, 61 gallons for mustard seed, 102 gallons for sunflower, 127 for rapesee, and 202 for jatropha. The crop that comes closest to algae is oil palm at 635 gallons. <br>
<br>Blanche said that a pilot project can be done on algae biofuel by studying spirulina and see how much it can produce per unit area. <br><br>"You can culture it in a small container, in barrels or whatever. These multiply very quickly, you're talking about weeks, days. I don't know how you can transition, but plain and simple what you produce is biodiesel. You can use it for ethanol because 50 percent is oil, 50 percent is sugar as well as proteins so it can be a good source for food," he said. <br>
<br>Previous studies indicated that while algaculture for vegetable oil may cost more per pound, it can yield 30 times more anergy per acre. The US Department of Energy, which funded a research on algae for fuel since 1978, indicated that the US needs 40,000 square kilometers of land for algae to supply all its fuel needs. <br>
<br>Another potential biofuel source for the Philippines are many cellulosic materials coming from any organic material like sugarcane bagasse, Blanche said. <br><br>"It's being used in many countries – Japan, Europe. In Germany, people started going crazy (in using cellulosic materials for ethanol that) most of the crops being used for making beer are now being used for fuel. But some people claim this is not the best way to do it because 'we're depriving our countrymen of the beer that they drink.'" <br>
<br>Instead of debating on whether to use organic materials for food or fuel, he said this should be left for the farmers to choose – on where they can maximize their income. <br><br>Blanche, who plans to go back to the Philippines after his longer stint at the USDA, likewise plans to work in the Philippines on controlling infestation of beetle on trees and on nanomaterials. <br>
<br>"I discovered how beetles kill trees. (So) you know exactly how you can develop a mechanism to control beetle infestation." <br><br>He is interested in nanomaterials – in isolating nanocrystals from woody or forest wood materials – which can be substitutes for fiberglass (such as those used in automotive or aircrafts). He can work with the Mariano Marcos State University on this. <br>
<br>"If you have wood chemists who knows ways in degrading materials and putting materials in nanoscale material, you can develop nanocrystals which are much stronger than steel," he said. <br><br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br>
<strong>3-NUEVA ECIJA PRESS CLUB HONORS BIOTECH JOURNALISTS</strong><br>03-January-2009 </font></font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/jan/03/yehey/prov/20090103pro3.html"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Manila Times</font></a><br>
<br><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">CABANATUAN CITY: Two provincial-based newspapermen were given recognition by fellow journalists in Nueva Ecija for the "great honor and inspiration" they shared after winning top places in the recently concluded 2008 Jose Burgos Jr. Awards for Biotech Journalism. <br>
<br>Cited by the Nueva Ecija Press Club, the umbrella organization of media practitioners in the province, were Dr. Anselmo Roque who writes for the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) and Jojo De Guzman of Malaya. The recognition coincided with the journalists' year-end get together on December 29, <br>
<br>Roque won the first prize for the award's Best Feature Category for his article "Carabao may be key for biofuel, says scientist" while De Guzman landed third in its Best News Story Category for his story on "Rice variety that survives 2-week submergence developed." <br>
<br>Nueva Ecija Press Club President and The Manila Times correspondent, Armand Galang, noted that both, as active members of the association, have brought immeasurable pride and inspiration to their fellow provincial journalists. He noted that 745 articles were submitted for the Burgos biotech journalism awards. <br>
<br>The awards, he said, also underscore Nueva Ecija's major role in attaining the nation's food sufficiency program. "Along with scientific institutions housed in our province," Galang stressed, "are journalists who tackle not only controversial issues but developmental concerns."<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br><strong>4-AN EASY WAY TO GERMINATE SAGO PALM SEEDS FOUND</strong><br>by Melpha M. Abello <br>01-January-2009 Manila Bulletin<br><br>A researcher from Aklan State University (ASU) in Banga, Aklan, has found an easy way to germinate sago palm seeds for planting. Previously people found it hard to germinate seeds of this palm species which yields valuable flour as well as leaves for roofing.<br>
<br>He is Michael Ibisate, research coordinator of the ASU's College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Science, who said that he discovered the technique by accident. He said that the strong winds and rain brought by Typhoon Frank in June 2008 had caused the mature sago fruits from the germplasm of the university to fall to the muddy ground where these were soaked for almost a month.<br>
<br>The condition, Ibisate said, might have favored the germination of the sago seeds as the shoots emerged from the soaked seeds after one month.<br><br>To verify his observation, Ibisate collected mature sago fruits from the germplasm and brought these to the Regional Seed Production Center within the campus. He then subjected the seeds under the same environment obtaining in the muddy field and obtained the same results.<br>
<br>Ibisate, known for his work on conservation of sago palm using tissue culture technique, said in their previous study that the sago seed was believed to have poor germination due to the presence of pericarp and sarcotesta. Thus, his research team used embryo rescue technique which enabled the successful development of an immature or weak embryo into a viable plant in vitro.<br>
<br>Aside from tissue culture, sucker is the widely used planting material for mass propagation of sago palm.<br><br>Sago, locally known as Ambolong in Aklan, has enormous starch deposit in its trunk. The starch has a high food value and has a big potential for industrial use. A mature sago palm could yield 50 to 70 kilos of starch. The pith, bud and shoot can also be eaten; the sap can be processed into sugar, vinegar and wine.<br>
<br>Apart from its use as food, Aklanons find sago as the best source of material for making shingles used as roofing material for light houses or huts. Ibisate said that many shingle makers in the province prefer using sago leaves over nipa leaves because sago leaves are more durable, especially when used in coastal areas. Sago shingles fetch a higher price than nipa shingles. The biggest market for sago shingles is Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.<br>
<br>Ibisate revealed that there is now a growing demand for sago palm as ornamental plant, both for use indoor and outdoor. Sago, he said, can be grown in an ordinary garden soil and does not require much attention.<br><br>
Ibisate's ongoing study on the conservation of sago palm is one of the projects being supported by ASU. At present, he is studying various parameters to further enhance the development of sago by using seeds as planting material.<br>
<br>Meanwhile, Ibisate continues to mass propagate sago palm from seeds. And the good news is that several hundreds of seedlings are now available to interested growers at P50 each.<br><br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br>
</font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>INDIA<br>5-FIRST DESI BT-COTTON VARIETY READY<br></strong>by Snehlata Shrivastav <br>06-January-2009 </font></font><a target="_blank" href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/First_desi_Bt-cotton_variety_ready/articleshow/3940110.cms"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">The Times of India</font></a><br>
<br><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">NAGPUR: Finally, after about 12 years of research and field trials, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) is ready with the country's first indigenously developed genetically modified cotton. It is a variety called Bikaneri Nerma (BN-Bt). ICAR has already green signalled it for commercial cultivation. The council is also ready to licence or transfer the technology to the seed companies in both public and private sector. The BN-Bt seeds will be available to the farmers by beginning of March.<br>
<br>A landmark achievement of ICAR, the research work nevertheless was marked by many setbacks. Although the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) cleared the variety for commercial cultivation on May 2 last year, the field trials were banned for some months for want of commercial trials. <br>
<br>Now, however, the variety is ready and farmers, especially in rainfed areas like Vidarbha, can expect a cotton revolution in the foreseeable future. <br><br>The biggest advantage of the variety is that farmers will be able to produce their own seeds and will not be required to buy them each year. Moreover, its seeds are priced at a fraction of the regular Bt seeds price. It has all the usual advantages of Bt variety like tolerance to drought and pests, resistance to bollworm, and less consumption of insecticides and pesticides. <br>
<br>The new GM variety is a result of joint effort of Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad, and National Research Centre for Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB), New Delhi. Dr Keshav Kranthi, acting CICR Director told TOI that ICAR was ensuring that 'BN-Bt variety' and products derived from the 'BN-Bt event' were available to farmers at a reasonable price through CICR, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATICs), public seed agencies and the private seed companies. <br>
<br>Dr Kranthi said that although NRCPB, New Delhi, actually gave the Cry1AC gene for incorporation into Bikaneri Nerma, the evaluation and testing like molecular testing, ELISA testing and biosafety testing was conducted by CICR and UAS, Dharwad. I S Katageri, cotton breeder from UAS Dharwad said that transferring the gene in Indian cultivar (BN) was much more difficult than putting it into cotton Coker 312, the American genotype.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>AFRICA<br>6-UGANDA: GM CASSAVA READY FOR FIELD TRIALS<br></strong>by Aidah Nanyonjo<br>
06-January-2009 </font></font><a target="_blank" href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200901070050.html"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">allAfrica.com</font></a><br><br><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Laboratory experiments for the genetically modified (GM) cassava have been completed and the National Crops Resource Research Institute (NCRRI) Namulonge has sought permission from the National biosafety committee to transfer the genetically modified cassava from the green house to the field.<br>
<br>"We are through with the laboratory work. If our application gets a favorable consideration by committee, we shall have the first genetically modified cassava in the field. We have all the tools that can be used to genetically improve the type of cassava we have today in the country,"Dr. Yona Baguma, a researcher said.<br>
<br>One of the roles of the national biosafety committee is to ensure safe conduct and safety of the biotech products to human beings and the environment. The cassava plants shall be subjected to various tests. Recently, the research institute came up with crop materials that combine resistance to both cassava mosaic and cassava brown stem disease.<br>
<br>Researchers have used the technology to impart genes of resistance to cassava mosaic, which is caused by a double stranded virus and cassava brown stem that is caused by the single stranded virus.<br><br>"We developed 12 cassava resistant and high yielding varieties. Unfortunately the ten have been attacked by cassava mosaic and brown stem diseases. The two remaining varieties have stood the test and we want to put them into the field to test their performance," Baguma said.<br>
<br>He said to come up with best cassava varieties Ugandans have to use of biotechnology best approaches. According to him, if the field trial succceds, the products that would be generated will be disseminated to the local farmers.<br>
<br>Baguma said famine maybe felt in some areas of the country due the extinction of most staple foods caused by the pest and diseases.<br><br>He said that cassava has been invaded by the mosaic and brown stem while black sigatoka and banana weevils are a threat to East African highland bananas.<br>
<br>According to the scientists, cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak disease are the most important constraints affecting cassava production in Uganda and most parts of Africa.<br><br>The research aims at improving CMD resistance genes while retaining the superior storage root traits. Baguma was speaking during a workshop on biosafety and biotechnology held at Imperial Royale Hotel on Thursday.<br>
<br><strong>------------------------------------------------------------</strong><br></font><font size="2"><font face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>GLOBAL<br>7-WORLD'S FIRST 'DROUGHT-TOLERANT' CORN READY BY 2010<br>
</strong>08-January-2009 </font></font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dawn.com/2009/01/08/ebr13.htm"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">Dawn</font></a><br><br><font size="2" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif">WASHINGTON, Jan 7: Agribusiness giant Monsanto announced on Wednesday a significant step towards creating the world's first drought-tolerant corn, a development it says will "reset the bar" in farming productivity. The genetically modified corn has moved to the final stage of development and could be available on the commercial market as early as 2010, the company said in a statement.<br>
<br>"Drought-tolerant corn is designed to provide farmers yield stability during periods when water supply is scarce by mitigating the effects of drought or water stress within a corn plant," Monsanto said.<br><br>The corn is the first in a series of crops planned by Monsanto to address the affects of high food prices and climate change on agriculture-based cultures around the world by reducing the need for water.<br>
<br>The next generation to be released over the next decade are designed to "enable farmers to produce more on each acre of farmland while minimizing the input of energy and resources such as water," Monsanto said.<br><br>
Trials of the corn conducted last year in drought-prone areas of the American Midwest "met or exceeded the six per cent to 10 per cent target yield enhancement," according to the company.<br><br>The trial advanced the yield by up to 10 corn bushels per acre (six quintals per hectare) beyond the average maximum of 130 bushels per acre (82 quintals per hectare), it said.<br>
<br>"This product and other yield improvements we are developing will reset the bar for on-farm productivity," said Monsanto biotechnology chief Steve Padgette.<br><br>The product, created in collaboration with the German-based plant biotechnology specialist BASF, has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration for regulatory clearance.<br>
<br>Worldwide cereal production set a new record in 2008 at 2.24 billion tons, a 5.4 per cent increase over last year, the United Nations food agency said last month.<br><br>Food prices in developing countries meanwhile remain high, affecting the "food security of large numbers of vulnerable populations," according to a report from the Rome-based agency.—AFP<br>
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</font><a class="events" target="_blank" href="http://www.searca.org/web/adss/2008/index.html"><font color="#336600" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Download available paper and/or presentation handouts of some notable speakers presented at SEARCA Agriculture and Development Series. CLICK HERE.</strong></font></a><font size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"> <br>
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<a class="events_details"><font color="#666666" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>by Mr. Jose K. Cariño III<br>Drilon Hall, SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines<br>13 January 2009, 4:00 - 5:00 PM</strong></font></a><br>
<br><a class="events" target="_blank" href="http://www.bioasia.bio.org/opencms/bioasia/2009/index.jsp"><font color="#336600" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>BIO Asia 2009</strong></font></a><br><a class="events_details" target="_blank" href="http://www.bic.searca.org/jobs/2008/IFPRI_PBSDirector.doc"><font color="#666666" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Tokyo, Japan<br>
19 - 20 January 2009</strong></font></a><br><br><a class="events" target="_blank" href="http://www.searca.org/"><font color="#ff6600" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>SEARCA ADSS: Is Biotech Rice for Us?</strong></font></a><br>
<a class="events_details"><font color="#666666" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>by Dr. Rhodora R. Aldemita, Senior Program Officer, GLobal Knowledge Center, ISAAA<br>Drilon Hall, SEARCA, College, Laguna, Philippines<br>
13 January 2009, 4:00 - 5:00 PM</strong></font></a><br><br><a class="events" target="_blank" href="http://www.searca.org/web/training/courses/2009/environmental_economics/"><font color="#336600" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>5th Executive Forum on NRM: Environmental Economics for Decision-making</strong></font></a><br>
<a class="events_details" target="_blank" href="http://www.searca.org/web/training/courses/2009/environmental_economics/"><font color="#666666" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>SEARCA, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines<br>
23 - 27 March 2009<br>Course Brochure | Flyer | Registration Form | Expression of Interest | Special Rates</strong></font></a><br><br><a class="events" target="_blank" href="http://www.searca.org/web/news/2008/dec/web/08.html"><font color="#ff6600" size="1" face="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><strong>Measures of Hope and Promises Delivered: An International Conference on Socioeconomic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Genetically Modified (GM) Crops</strong></font></a><br>
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