By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) – National Office has recently tapped Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., professor of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), as national director of the agency’s Yamang Lupa SCALE UP program.

The directorship of Dr. Manzano, former dean of MMSU Graduate School, to the Sustainable Community-Based Action Research for Development and Extension for Livelihood Uplifting and Prosperity (YL SCALE UP) program started on January 7 and will run until December 31, 2022. 

Dr. Manzano will help attain the OneDA Reform Agenda through the proper alignment of the YL SCALE UP modalities, outputs, and outcomes through key strategies.

The OneDA Reform Agenda serves as the department's guide to increase productivity and profitability of farming and fishery activities at the local level.

He will also help create the program’s operational framework and spearhead its implementation in coordination with DA’s Bureau of Agricultural Research and all concerned partners and stakeholders.

The MMSU professor also serves as a technical adviser of various DA national programs. Particularly, he renders assistance and advice on policy matters related to soil and water management, and provides technical support services to the agency’s officials and technical divisions. 

Manzano said he is glad for the opportunity to contribute to the OneDA Reform Agenda, particularly in strengthening and enhancing the agency’s YL SCALE UP program. 

The Yamang Lupa program is geared towards adopting and developing an innovative model for agriculture to improve rural livelihood of small holder farmers, and enhance food security while conserving the natural resources. It is piloted in Region 9 and it is being scaled nationwide. 

The program intends to strategically serve selected farming communities in seven Philippine regions by adopting YLP principles, precision agriculture technologies, farm mechanization, among others. This aims to increase their crop productivity and eventually uplift their quality of life. (StratCom)