This represents the national research center for the development of soil and water management technologies suited to highland pedo-ecological zones. Originally the Dalwangan Soil and Water Conservation Station, it was established by the Bureau of Soils in the 60s. Its importance resurrected through the international agreement with the Japanese Government via the SoilSearch Project which paved the way for the BSWM to reclaim 10 hectares from the original 30 hectares donated to the Bureau of Soils in the 60s but which was devolved in management to the DA-RFU X in 1986 as Northern Mindanao Integrated Agricultural Research Center (NOMIARC) to handle commodity-specific researches. It was re-established in 1992 to serve as the interim Highland Soil and Water Resources Research and Demonstration Center with ad-hoc manpower complement – the personnel assigned to this Center came from the various technical divisions of the Bureau; and strengthened in 2000 through JICA-assisted project on the Environmental Productivity Management of Marginal Areas (EPMMA) in the Philippines. The EPMMA Project recognized the importance of highland pedo-ecological zone as the missing link to complete the BSWM R&D activities to cover the entire representative landscapes of the country. Located in Dalwangan, Bukidnon, the soils belong to Adtuyon Series and strongly acidic, typical of highland soil conditions, and poorly suited to continuous agriculture without fertility management and rehabilitation program.
Mandate
As Research and Development Center to undertake applied and
location-specific researches in highland pedo-ecological zones. The Center also screens and validates appropriate agro-technologies and best practices gathered from successful farmers, indigenous communities, academe and research institutions and other practitioners for adoption and use for sustainable highland agriculture. As Learning Center, it showcases cost-efficient, socially acceptable and environment friendly soil and water management technologies in highland pedo-ecological zones.
Mission
Ensure viable and safe cultivation of marginal highlands through conservation farming practices to boost highland farmers’ income and satisfy the nutritional and functional food requirement of rural communities.
Vision
Highland conditions manage for sustained productivity promoting the primacy of soil and water resources conservation practices, and environment-friendly farming communities.
Functions
- Provide and maintain experimental site for conduct of upstream researches by the SWRRD on highland pedo-ecological zones relating to soil physics and mineralogy, soil biology, soil and water conservation, cropping pattern, land use, organic agriculture, protective and conventional farming and relevant researches that address emerging issues on land degradation, agro-biodiversity and climate change
- Develop plans, programs and projects for highland pedo-ecological zones in accordance with the national soil and water research and development agenda
- Undertake all aspects of soil and water midstream researches on highland pedo-ecosystem
- Develop knowledge products on cost-efficient practices and environment-friendly technologies on highland pedo-ecological zone
- Ensure proper maintenance and operation of machineries, equipment and research facilities
- Develop and manage research infrastructure and data base for soil and water researches on highland pedo-ecological zone in coordination with concerned divisions of the Bureau
- Prepare and implement capability building programs through participatory trainings, field visits and seminars for agricultural students, farmers, agricultural technicians, LGUs and other interested clientele on highland agriculture technologies
- Undertake validation and demonstration of agro-technologies relating to soil conservation, fertility management, water resources management, organic and protective agriculture in highland pedo-ecological zone
- In coordination with interested clientele, promote validated and tested technologies on soil and water management in selected areas of highland agriculture
- In coordination with WRMD, generate agromet data as representative of highland conditions for real time data processing
Personnel
Henry A. Apolinares
Center Chief, National Soil and Water Resources Research and Development Center for Highland Pedo-Ecological Zone (HIGHPEZ)
Florentino Agustin
Rey Bello
Sharon Elvi Marie Cachopero
May Shane Calvo
Jonathan Daquil
Evan Roy Landrito
Michael Bryan Maghanoy
Steffi Oro
Mark Anthony Paga
Danisa Panis
Alberto Salaum
