Los Baños, Laguna – November 12, 2025. The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Philippine Agriculture and Resources Research Foundation (PARRFI) and the Hindustan India Ltd (HIL), officially launched the Philippine component of the regional project, “Promoting Eco-friendly Crop Protection Solutions for Persistent Organic Pollutants and Highly Hazardous Pesticides Reduction in Asia” or the FARM Philippines Project at the DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center in Los Baños, Laguna.
Originally scheduled for November 11 in Manila, the event was moved to November 12 at the PCAARRD Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, due to Super Typhoon Uwan, but it continued successfully with the strong commitment of all partners. The launch was held via a hybrid meeting set-up, with others joining online via the Zoom platform.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the project is part of the global initiative on Financing Agrochemical Reduction and Management (FARM) implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) across seven countries, including Kenya, India, Philippines, Uruguay, Ecuador, Laos, and Vietnam. The Philippine component is part of a regional project jointly executed with Hindustan (India) Limited (HIL). It aims to establish sustainable financing, investment and incentive mechanisms in the formulation, production, and application of eco-friendly crop protection solutions that reduce persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), thereby enhancing livelihoods, food safety, and protection of human health and the environment.
In his message, Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director, highlighted the significance of the project: “This initiative represents a collective commitment to promote sustainable, science-driven crop protection practices that balance productivity, environmental safety, and farmer welfare. It also opens opportunities for strengthening the local biopesticide industry.”
The launch featured the expression of support and signing of commitment among partner agencies and organizations, including the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI), the Visayan Agricultural Innovation Incorporated, and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).
Messages of support were also shared by UNIDO and HIL, reaffirming commitment to advancing safe, effective, and environmentally sound pest management systems across Asia and beyond. Following the successful launch, the Joint Project Steering Committee Meeting and Project Workshop with UNIDO, India, and Philippine partners were conducted to discuss implementation priorities and harmonize activities.
Originally published by The Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD)