VSU Agarwood study and DA’s farmer income-boosting program sweep top awards at regional RDE symposium

The VSU-led project Ecological Assessment and Conservation of Aquilaria spp. to Support Sustainable Agarwood Production in Leyte Island (ECo-SAP), headed by Dr. Marlito M. Bande of the VSU-Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Science (VSU-ITEES), earned the Outstanding Research Paper Award. 

The study documented 708 Aquilaria cumingiana and 71 A. malaccensis trees in areas across Leyte, confirming the island as an important refuge for these endangered agarwood species.

With agarwood fetching as high as ₱1 million per kilogram in international markets, the team worked closely with communities to shift away from illegal harvesting and guide them toward legal and science-based cultivation. 

They introduced propagation strategies now in patent processing, isolated 27 native fungal strains linked to resin formation, and documented 25 insect families associated with agarwood development. Findings informed national recommendations designating Aquilaria as a plantation crop and supported the competency standards of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for Agarwood Production Specialist Level III.

“This is proof that science can protect threatened species while creating sustainable livelihoods,” Dr. Bande shared, recognizing how conservation and entrepreneurship can move forward together.

Also celebrated at the event was the Sustainable Community-Based Action Research for Development and Extension (R4DE) for Livelihood Enhancement, Upliftment, and Prosperity Program in Region 8 (SCALE UP), which received the Outstanding Development Paper Award. 

Implemented by DA-RFO 8 with the support of Bureau of Agrarian Reform (BAR) and partner local government units, SCALE UP applied modern soil science and farmer-led learning across Leyte, Biliran, Samar, and Northern Samar.

Through soil testing, fertility mapping, and participatory technology trials, the program assisted 4,440 farmers working on 8,403 hectares of agricultural land. These interventions led to a 30% increase in crop yields, a 12% decrease in production costs, and an impressive 92% jump in farmer income, well beyond original targets. 

The project also trained 74 Lead Farmers as local champions of climate-smart technologies and guided 21 LGUs toward policy actions that sustain these advancements.

Both initiatives put forward a model where science directly benefits people who depend on natural resources, whether in forest-based livelihoods or in food production. Their recognition at the symposium reinforces the growing influence of Eastern Visayas in shaping innovative, evidence-based rural development.

The research and development teams received plaques and ₱20,000 cash prizes each as organizers honored their contributions to a region increasingly known for turning local challenges into science-driven solutions.

This article is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 1: No Poverty; 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 15: Life on Land, and; SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.