The idsc-oa
UPLB established IdSC-OA to help in achieving the goal of a globally competitive and sustainable organic agriculture for the country. This is pursuant to the national policies, Republic Act (RA) 10068 of 2010 or the Organic Agriculture Act (OAA), and the RA 11511 of 2020, Amendments to RA 10068, organic agriculture is now one of the six national priority programs of the Department of Agriculture.
OUR FOCUS
Organic Agriculture in the Philippines
Given the multi-faceted challenges to organic agriculture, there is a need for holistic, systems approach and interdisciplinary collaboration among various government, non-government, and private institutions as well as with communities and peoples’ organizations. While learning from the experience and knowledge of international institutions, it is imperative that basic and applied research generated under Philippine conditions be conducted to provide the science backbone to organic agriculture suitable to the country’s specific concerns and opportunities.
IdSC-OA'S MANDATE
To pursue a more holistic inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary basic and applied research, development, and extension (RDE) program on Organic Agriculture in UPLB, and are directed to:
- Expedite the development of new research initiatives that cut across traditional disciplinary boundaries in support of the attainment of national development goals;
- Assist in the improvement of scientific understanding of learnings;
- Adopt and practice interdisciplinary approach in the conduct of intensive research, extension, and public service programs of the University; and
- Establish linkages with public and private institutions to strengthen UPLB’s interdisciplinary studies program, among others.
vision
The Interdisciplinary Studies Center on Organic Agriculture (IDSC-OA) at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) shall be a leading organization dedicated to advancing and applying high standards of interdisciplinary research, development and extension to provide excellent outputs and support services for stakeholders within the university, across communities, and to national and global programs.
mission
The IDSC-OA, as a virtual center, is committed to pursue holistic inter- and trans-disciplinary basic and applied research, development and extension (RDE) programs on organic agriculture in order for UPLB to contribute to the attainment of national goals related to sustainable food systems. It shall also initiate local, national and global partnerships that further strengthen and expand interdisciplinary studies related to organic agriculture.