This book contains the lectures of professors from various academic units of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), delivered in honor of Dr. Ruben L. Villareal, Chancellor from 1993 to 1999. Organized by the Institute of Strategic Planning and Policy Studies, College of Public Affairs, the lectures cover topics relevant to sustainability, agricultural technology and the social dimensions of agriculture.
The materials in this book are relevant to critical issues confronting the Philippine agriculture sector during the 90s at which time, the sector was subjected to a number of disturbances. First and foremost, the Philippines’ membership to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was ratified in 1994 subjecting agriculture to competition both in domestic as well as world market. The most serious food shortage in recent history occurred in 1995 and the El Niño phenomenon wrought its heavy toll on agriculture in 1997. Food security, farmers’ income, poverty in the rural areas, competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture were among the crucial problems tackled at the time.
An agriculture-based university like UPLB carries a crucial responsibility in responding to the problems brought about by the above disturbances and problems. It is in this light that the works of its scientists in the pursuit of discovering and, effectively putting to use new technologies that would elevate Philippine agriculture along higher scientific frontiers are featured in this book.
