The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) is gradually transitioning from a research and development (R&D) institution into a more dynamic research for development (R4D) entity that directs its research endeavors toward addressing the needs of the stakeholders in the industry it serves.

This was emphasized by PCC R4D national coordinator Dr. Eric Palacpac during the conduct of PCC’s R4D In-House Review.

He pointed out the difference between research and development (R&D) approach as opposed to research for development (R4D) and why there is a need for a new paradigm.

R&D, he said, utilizes the knowledge-initiated approach directed primarily toward generating information or knowledge without necessitating any practical application. R4D, on the other hand, puts emphasis on development as the end-result of research.

Under the R4D, research undertakings are problem-focused and relevant to the concerns of the industry it serves, he explained.

In the case of PCC, researches conducted should have practical applications in the livestock industry and in the carabao sector, in particular, to better serve its partners and clienteles, especially the farmers, he added.

As PCC poises to take on a new research direction, its annual review will also ensure that all the research activities conducted in the agency are aligned with its newly crafted agenda.

For several years, the PCC has been conducting an in-house review to evaluate the limitations and opportunities of its on-going researches, as well as the areas that need improvements.

“As for the researchers, the in-house review serves as a venue for them to share their research results with the scientific community and as a motivation to strengthen their interest in conducting vital studies relevant to the mandate of the agency,” Dr. Palacpac further stated.

Its in-house review this year was held at the PCC national headquarters last June 17-18.

A total of 25 papers were presented, 16 of which were completed and eight are still being conducted. A special paper on dairy value chain was also presented.

Most of the papers presented dealt with biosafety while the others were on product development, genetic improvement, production management, socio-economic dimensions of Carabao Development Program implementation, and industry and policy thematic areas.

Dr. Eduardo Torres, Professor VIII at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (CVM-UPLB) chaired the panel of external evaluators. He was joined by Dr. Fe Perciuncula, a professor at the Central Luzon State University and director of the Ramon Magsaysay Center for Agricultural Resources and Environment Studies in the university; and Dr. Rio John Ducusin, assistant to the dean at CVM-UPLB.

Apart from the regular PCC researchers, students from universities who conducted their studies at the agency under the supervision of PCC experts presented their research papers.

At the end of the two-day review, awards were given to the researchers who excelled in their research activities.

Adjudged best paper in the completed research category was the study titled, “Molecular Characterization of Gag Gene of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus of Goats Present in the Philippines” conducted by Ryan Bismark Padiernos, Michelle Balbin, Arman Parayao and Dr. Claro Mingala, a PCC senior researcher.

The student thesis titled, “Detection of Horse and Rat Meat from Meat Products Declared as Pork, Beef or Poultry Meat in the Philippines Using Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay” conducted by Guiao Dimalanta and Leslie Domingo, Jr., veterinary students from CLSU, was also given the best paper award. They were supervised by Dr. Mingala.

On the other hand, Ariel Galamgam, a Master’s in Animal Science student from UPLB who presented his paper titled, “Motion Kinematics of Goat (Capra hircus) Spermatozoa as Influenced by Penetrating Cryoprotectants under Various Stages of the Cryopreservation Process,” was chosen as best presenter.

During the closing program, Dr. Palacpac encouraged the pool of researchers to continue conducting researches that are pragmatic and relevant to the thematic areas under the PCC’s R4D agenda.