Launched by former President Fidel V. Ramos in 2007, the Dioscoro L. Umali Achievement Award in Agricultural Development will be conferred for the first time this coming November 27. This Umali Award, the first ever award in agricultural development in Southeast Asia, seeks to recognize individuals with meritorious accomplishments in such fields of agriculture development, environment, natural resource management, technology development, food security, poverty reduction, economics, business, policy, and governance.

The award is named after one of the pillars of agricultural development in the Philippines, the late Dioscoro L. Umali. Umali was dean of then University of the Philippines College of Agriculture (UPCA) from 1959 to 1969. Under his steady headship, UPCA became a premier institution of higher learning in Asia. His term was considered as UPCA’s golden age of extension where expansion, innovation, and long-range development planning in instruction, research, and extension were seen.

SEARCA Director Arsenio Balisacan describes Umali as a prime mover of agricultural and rural development in Southeast Asia whose quest for scholarship and excellence in agriculture fueled his vision for a progressive region.

UPCA, through Umali’s dedication and hardwork, gained international acclaim. Students across the globe flocked to the university to be trained and educated in agriculture and related fields. During Corazon Aquino’s presidency, Umali was awarded the title of National Scientist. His numerous contributions to the scientific community earned him five honoris causa degrees from various universities.

Other notable positions he held during his lifetime were as: President of NAST; Assistant Director General, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization; Founding Director, SEARCA; Chairman, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation; and Liaison Scientist in China, International Rice Research Institute.

DLU finished his Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy in 1939 from UPCA and his doctorate degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Cornell University in 1949, having convinced his major professor to allow him to skip the masteral program.