A united front must be formed to push information, education, and communication about the benefits of agricultural biotechnology products. This was the advocacy of the late Dr. Caharodin A. Cali, a Filipino SEARCA Fellow, who passed away on 7 July 2007.

Dr. Caharodin Cali

Biotechnology Advocate

Dr. Cali was an active exponent of advocacy program of the Biotechnology Program Office of the Department of Agriculture. At a Seminar-Workshop on Alleviating Poverty in the Provinces of Lanao by Enhancing Abaca Fiber Industry through Biotechnology held in Marawi, Dr. Cali presented his paper titled “A Glimpse of Biotechnology and its Role in Viral-free and Viral-resistant Abaca.”

“Appropriate, precise, and safe technologies like biotechnology, should be adopted in agricultural production in order to achieve food security and sufficiency of important products like fibers,” Dr. Cali emphasized during his paper presentation.

He also said “poverty, as a consequence of population increase, is a serious social problem that should be addressed by both government and non-government organizations (NGOs) through collaborative undertaking or networking.”

Dr. Cali had since been active in the development of the Biotechnology Information and Organization Network (BIONet) as the Regional Representative of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the BIONet National Council. He was also a vigorous supporter of the Biotechnology for Life Media Advocacy and Resource Center (BMARC).

Esteemed Scientist and University Administrator

Recognized as one of MSU’s most respected scientists, Dr. Cali has devoted his life to teaching, scientific pursuits, community service, and public advocacy. A faithful son of Marawi, he came home after obtaining each of his graduate degrees, having earned his MS in Forestry in 1983 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) under SEARCA scholarship funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and his PhD in Forestry also from UPLB in 1991. He had also trained in forest sciences and public administration in Thailand, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

Even as he took on leadership posts at MSU as Director of Research and Extension, Dean of the College of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, he continued to lead various research projects on biodiversity and natural resources management and conservation in collaboration with ASEAN, Dutch, and local partner agencies.

An influential and dedicated professor and scientist at MSU, Dr. Cali inspired colleagues and other scientists based in Marawi to take up the cudgels for sustained development of agriculture and forestry in Mindanao.

During the deliberations on the implementing rules and regulations of the Muslim Mindanao Autonomy Act (MMAA) No. 161, also known as Regional Sustainable Forest Management Act (RSFMA) of 2004, held at MSU, Dr. Cali emphasized the importance of stewardship, that people are accountable for the protection of their natural resources, and that there is a critical need for sustainable forest management systems to address complex environmental problems.

Through his life’s work and achievements, Dr. Cali had truly embodied the goals and ideals of SEARCA. (LLDDomingo, GSD)