Farmers who are also scientists and businessmen—that’s what Dr. Romulo G. Davide envisions for Filipino farmers. He wants to train farmers to empower them using science and technology.
Dr. Davide’s farmer-scientist program has empowered upland farmers in Cebu to determine the appropriate technologies for their farms. Through Dr. Davide’s program, the farmers learned integrated pest management, and thus encouraging them not to depended on toxic pesticides. They also learned to develop their own hybrid corn producing their own seeds from their farms.
Dr. Davide’s desire to serve his fellow Filipinos is unquestionable. After gaining his bachelor’s degree from the University of the Philippines’ College of Agriculture, he went to the United States where he earned his masters and doctorate degrees from the Oklahoma State University and North Carolina State University, respectively. Shortly after receiving his doctorate degree in nematology and plant pathology in 1966, he was offered a professorial job that he declined because of his commitment to his country.
This commitment would highlight his prolific career. Dr. Davide is internationally recognized for his contributions to nematology, including the national survey, identification, and control of nematodes that infest economic crops. He also discovered the first and safest biological control agent, called BIOACT, against nematodes. For these and other works, Dr. Davide has the distinction of being the first Filipino to be included in the “Who’s Who” in nematology.
Asked to comment on his career and contributions as teacher, scientist, and mentor, Dr. Romulo Davide shrugged all the accolade aside, saying that he is just an instrument of God.
Source:
► Eileen Calaycay-Cardona. ‘There are no barren soils, only barren minds.” http://www.up.edu.ph/forum/2002/Aug02/davide.html
► National Academy of Science and Technology. http://www.nast.dost.gov.ph/pro_davide.html